Career Paths in the Psychology Field

With the economy in a recession the job market is as highly competitive as ever. If you are contemplating taking a career path in psychology you may want to consider entering an area of the profession in high demand. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates a faster-than-average job growth in the field of psychology with salaries varying by state and field of practice. 

Here are a few psychology career paths to consider:

Clinical psychologists evaluate, diagnose and treat patients who suffer from all forms of psychological disorders found in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Clinical psychologists can work in hospitals, mental health clinics or other medical settings, but those in private practice usually afford a higher income. A PhD degree is generally a prerequisite and most states require an internship of at least a year.

Career counseling is a field that works with clients using personality tests, interest inventories and other tests to match them with the ideal career path. They begin by considering their clients' interests, skills, education and personality traits to end up assisting with skill development, building resumes and interview techniques. Some even go so far as to help with the job location process.

School psychology is great for people who are interested in working in an educational environment to help students cope with their academic, social and emotional difficulties. The demand for professional school psychologists has increased with the growing interest in children’s mental health.

Industrial-organizational psychologists work in corporate settings and other work environments to facilitate improved productivity in the workplace. Psychologists in this field evaluate and train employees, while others work with job candidates and new hires.

Genetics counselors usually hold an undergraduate degree in a related field in addition to a master’s in psychology. The job of a genetics counselor is to work with patients suffering from genetic disorders. They are generally part of a team of medical professionals that work with the goal of providing support, help and guidance.

Forensic psychologists bring their psychological training to a court room or criminal investigation. Unlike the scientific side of forensics, forensic psychologists attend to suspects, witnesses and perform psychological evaluations on criminals. Working closely with authorities and other law enforcement branches is typical in this line of work. 

Engineering psychologists take part in improving living environments and consumer products using their skills of determining how people and technology interact. They may work in an academic setting and are often part of a team. A basic knowledge of engineering is required, but generally with increased knowledge comes higher salaries.

Sports psychologists focus primarily on the mental and physical health of athletes and deal with motivation, performance and other psychological issues. Sports psychologists mainly work in sports centers, universities, research facilities, hospitals and clinics. A career path in sports psychology is unique in terms of specialization and work environment.

Drawing upon our more than 30-year history of granting degrees in professional psychology, Argosy University has developed a curriculum that focuses on interpersonal skills and practical experience alongside academic learning. Because getting a degree is one thing. Succeeding, quite another.