Looking for an entry level job or internship in psychology? This is an overview of how to approach the search and a list of companies that might have relevant entry level and internship opportunities.
A series that recently emerged on television and immediately captivated me is Criminal Minds. No, I’m not a total creeper. But what I find it truly fascinating about the show is how much the brilliant psychologists can deduce about the person who committed the crimes before ever meeting them. Psychologists are people who study the human mind and human behavior. It’s an awesome field to be in because employment opportunities abound as the field expected to outgrow most other professions in the coming years.
Photo Credit: Flickr User Alan Cleaver
Psychologists study the human mind and human behavior. There are 56 different divisions of the American Psychological Association, so there are many areas of psychology you can enter. Psychologists are generally described as being either “applied” or “research-oriented.” “Scientists” or “scholars” conduct research and “practitioners” or “professionals” apply psychological knowledge. While counseling and psychotherapy are common activities for psychologists, research and teaching comprise another major role among psychologists.
The most popular area of specialization is clinical psychology, which involves psychotherapy, behavior modification, and help patients with a crisis. Other areas of specialization include:
While the typical day for a psychologist varies depending upon their direct field, it may involve a bit of counseling patients, juggling appointments, managing a team, training graduate students, and staying on top of clinical research. You might tackle tasks such as these:
In 2009, salaried clinical, counseling, and school psychologists earned a median annual salary of $66,040, while salaried industrial-organizational psychologists earned $83,260. On average psychologists make between $40,000-$133,000 per year, according to 2011’s numbers. You might consider becoming a Forensic Psychologist ($29,000-$114,000), a Neuropsychologist ($47,000-$150,000), or a Behavioral Health Director ($42,000-$104,000).
Here are some great locations for Psychologists:
To work as a clinical or counseling psychologist you’ll need a doctoral degree. With a Ph.D. you can teach, do research or have a clinical and counseling position. With a Psy.D. you can work in a clinical or counseling setting. It usually takes five to seven years to earn a Ph.D. or Psy.D. and includes completing a dissertation. School psychologists are often required to have a specialist degree in school psychology, which takes three years of full time graduate study and a one year internship. Beyond that, psychologists who deliver patient care must meet certification or licensing requirements in all states and the District of Columbia.
If a career as a psychologist still sounds like your cup of tea, here are a few things you should do to get started.
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Check out the latest job and internship postings in psychology.
