Full Careers
Looking for employment in Psychology field.?
Currently attending college to get my degree and fulfill my dream in working in the field of psychology. I presently work for a pet store chain and it is a beginning of the new year goal to get a new and better job. I have done some research and looked up local hospitals, counseling centers, mental and recovery homes, and the like. I plan on visiting each of these places to inquire about employment. I seem to be stuck in the place where I am either too qualified, or not qualified enough. To me, in a way I wouldn't mind getting coffee and cleaning bathrooms to start out. I just want to get my foot in the door; I just want to be around and in the presence of my future career. I have been doing research on how to "get the job" and I am taking in all the advice I can get. I know I have to sell myself, but not too much!! I will be doing my hunting during this next week.... Anyone got any good advice to help me get that better job? Thanks.
Public Comments
- Having a bachelor's degree in psych will provide you with a good, broad background. At the very least it's like having a liberal arts degree. But, it is limited. With a bachelor's alone you cannot teach, do research, or do counseling. There are some lower levels of "counselor" you can be involved with. I was a youth counselor for a year, but moved on to my masters and subsequently earned my Ph.D. -- which opens doors. Look into this link, from the American Psychological Association. http://www.apa.org/ed/wanttobecome.html#a
- You might start by asking your Psychology department head if she/he knows of any jobs that you could apply for. Also check with the employment office at the university. These should both have some information/advice that you can't get anywhere else. Because of the confidentiality of the career field, it is difficult to just walk in and be hired in counseling centers, and hospital psy wards. We do use students at our local hospital as volunteers, with lots of orientation, but no hands on with patients, of course. You could try that, by keeping a job you need for money, and volunteering for a few hours a week to put on your resume. Volunteering is a way to go if you can't get employment, even at a nursing home...the elderly is the largest segment of the population, and there will be many needs in the psy field for that type of employment. Not that you need to work forever with the elderly; again, think RESUME. It is great that you see that a pet store is NOT where you want to be, unless you are going into pet psy work. (a real career field now). In your career counseling office at your university will be a book listing career opportunities in the psy field. Ask someone to show that to you, and you will be surprised how many job opportunities there are that we don't know about. Good luck. You are a sharp person and will do well. Keep your confidence.
