subject: Careers in Psychology: The Top 5 Psychology Careers in Job Growth and Earning Potential [print this page] Careers in Psychology: The Top 5 Psychology Careers in Job Growth and Earning Potential
There are many different career paths offered within the field of psychology. A recent study found that the top five in terms of future job growth and earning potential are Clinical Psychologist, Counseling Psychologist, Education or School Psychologist, Industrial-Organizational Psychologist, and Career or Vocational Counselor
Clinical Psychologist
Clinical Psychologists work with adults and children suffering from mental disorders such as anxiety and depression. Clinical Psychologists diagnose these disorders by interviewing patients to gather information that is used to develop courses of treatment.
Some Clinical Psychologists specialize in treating schizophrenia and other severe mental disorders. Clinical Psychologists may also work with patients suffering from stroke, traumatic brain injury or spinal cord injury.
Clinical Psychologists work in private practices, mental health clinics, hospitals and universities.
Becoming a Clinical Psychologist requires 5 years of full-time graduate study and a dissertation based on original research. Clinical Psychologists graduate with either a Ph.D. or Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.)
Counseling Psychologist
Counseling Psychologists help people deal with many different types of problems. Some of these may involve marital or family related problems, emotional problems and substance abuse issues. Counseling Psychologists work with these people to help them cope with the many issues of everyday life with the goal of improving the quality of their lives.
Counseling Psychologists may work in hospitals or clinics or may find employment as social workers or in crisis centers.
To become a Counseling Psychologist requires a Ph.D. , Psy.D. or Ed.D.
Education Psychologist
The Education or School Psychologist works with school children ranging from preschool to secondary ages, their teachers, their parents and other educators to help the children cope with problems they are facing at school. These problems can affect a student's ability to learn and may result in behavioral issues. The Education Psychologist works to implement strategies that will help create a better teaching, learning and social environment for all concerned.
Education Psychologists also work with gifted and special needs students.
To become an Education or School Psychologist one must attain a doctoral degree or a specialist degree in school psychology.
Industrial-Organizational Psychologist
The Industrial-Organizational Psychologist studies the workplace and its workers with the goal of implementing programs and procedures that improve the overall quality of the workplace and the workers work experience. They help company management create tools to aid them in selecting, training and retaining the best possible applicants for jobs and to increase worker productivity.
To become an Industrial-Organizational Psychologist requires a master's degree in psychology or a degree in human resources. The earning potential for this career can be quite high.
Career or Vocational Counselor
The Career or Vocational Counselor works with individuals who are looking for work. The Career Counselor evaluates the individual's jobs skills and assesses what form or forms of employment may be best suited for that individual. The Career Counselor will also contact potential employers on behalf of the job seeker to find out if the individual might be a good prospective employee. They may help those individuals who have recently lost a job deal with the stress and other emotional difficulties that may arise from that job loss.
Career or Vocational Counselors may also work with students and ex-convicts.
To become a Career or Vocational Counselor requires at minimum a bachelor's degree in psychology but the majority of Career Counselors have a masters degree in either career or vocational counseling or psychology
Other Psychology Careers
Some other psychology careers include marriage and family therapists, social psychologists, and forensic psychologists.
Salaries can range from a low end of approximately $35,000 a year to over $100,000 a year.
