Psychology

[sonia_h]

I am thinking of doing an access course at college and then my aim is to go on and achieve a degree in psychology. My question is ' Once I have a degree in psychology, what can I do with it? (In terms of career opportunities) As I am not completely sure, as to what direction I want follow in. Any feedback would be much appreciated, thanks.

[muffinman]

not much really, I've done my degree in science and psychology...not a lot of opportunities out there. teaching? counselling? community development? you would probably have to do your masters if you aim for going futher in the field.

you might be able do to counselling with your degree, after some counselling training.

[EuanC]

I did an access course then went onto do a degree in psychology. I found the whole experience very interesting. Only thing is that if you want to get into the psychology profession then you will have to be prepared (and be able to afford) to do further post-grad training after you have your first degree.

Now if I had realised that earlier - I would have chosen to do my degree in something else.

[theprof]

My sister-in-law studied for a degree in psychology at a Welsh university. During her final year, she decided that educational psychology was the career for her.

After graduating, she applied to three school support services divisions of local authorities and was advised to return to uni to take her master's before re-applying again. There was nothing wrong with her degree - she'd got a First-Class Honours from a uni that's been in the top five of the TES and other university league tables consistently for years. It was all down to competition for places.

She was accepted as a trainee educational psychologist once she'd gained her MSc at my own university. It made financial sense for her to live with myself, the wife and kids gratis while she was studying and no nepotism was involved - honest. She's been in the job for around ten years and is currently one of two principal educational psychologists in her county.

For this type of work, you need to have a specific type of personality. Daily, her casework requires her to makes decisions over such matters as police and social services involvement, truancy, suspected child abuse, medical matters and liason with schools as well as diagnosing dyslexia, dyspraxia and a host of other conditions. She also regularly appears in court as an expert witness and is acutely aware that the decisions and recommendations she makes can affect a family for years to come.

The money she earns is great and there are many perks to her job such as a new top-of-the-range laptop every year and a new 2 litre car every couple of years. She earns more money than her husband, who a deputy head in a comprehensive.

All the same, the responsibility she bears on her shoulders is truly immense and I know many people would not do her job for all the tea in China. Personally, I know I'd need to switch off from this job after leaving work every night, and I don't know if

[theprof]

I could do that.

All the same, a career in educational psychology might be right up your street.

[theprof]

I've just spoken to a psychology reader who�s wandered into my department. I asked him to suggest typical careers for psychology graduates. Here are some possibilities:

Clinical psychology (NHS and Private Practice), market research, forensic psychology (ever watched "Cracker"?), police work (criminal profiles etc), FE and HE teaching, secondary school teaching, personnel/HR work, advertising, social work, prison work, the armed forces and occupational psychology.

He did emphasise the importance of getting the BPS accreditation, as graduate membership of The British Psychological Society is essential for some jobs.

[Gavin Dunt]

http://www.lost.eu/87ef