Psychology

Psychology is one of the most modern sciences widely practiced in everyday lives. By studying psychology, we can develop a much better understanding of human behavior and the way the mind works, depending on peoples background, religious beliefs, and society affiliations. This profession appeals to me because I am interested in studying how the human mind reacts to certain situations, why there is such diversity in people's breaking points, and how to help people overcome adversity in their lives.

Psychologists study the behavior of people and animals in order to understand and explain the way they react and respond. In the field of psychology, one can choose a career from among a wide range of positions in education, health care, clinical, and private or government environments. The most common and widely practiced field is clinical counseling. This job deals with a large group of people who need help with personal problems or relationship problems, such as family issues. Another position a person can choose from in the field of psychology is that of a school psychologist, who does much of the same things as clinical counselors, but only deals with children inside the school system. Other occupations that are related to these jobs in psychology are counselors that work in jails, major corporations, or for the government such as the Army. Another type of job requiring a psychology degree is that of a teacher or professor at a school or university. Besides teaching, psychology professors do major research and test at the university to help further our knowledge in the subject. In these careers, instructors are not required to do a lot of traveling. Psychologists mainly work inside an office or classroom, observing other individuals and helping them solve their problems.

What an individual wants to do in a psychology career depends on the type of education he or she must receive. The easiest option is to get a master's degree in psychology, which requires at least two years in a graduate program and a master's thesis based on an original research project. By successfully completing this degree, graduates may work as psychological assistants under the supervision of someone with a doctoral degree in psychology, and may conduct research or psychological evaluations. The next level of education is to receive a specialist degree. This degree requires the student to have three or more years of graduate school and a one year internship. Most people get this degree so they can work as a school psychologist. A doctoral degree in psychology (Ph.D) or a Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D) degree both require five to seven years of graduate school and a one year internship. The difference between the two degrees is, to receive a Ph.D. one is required to complete a dissertation based on original research, using quantitative research methods such as computer analysis. To complete a Psy.D, students will focus more on practical work and examinations of people instead of dissertations. With either of these degrees, psychologist can do whatever you want in the psychology field.

To prepare for my future as a psychologist, I am currently taking all my basic courses to get them out of the way, so I do not have to worry about them later on. Within those classes, I also plan on taking basic psychology classes that will better prepare me for my major. Outside of school, I plan on volunteering at hospitals or finding a job that is closely related to psychology; even something as simple as helping my friends and family with their problems can help me prepare for this job. After Blinn, I plan on transferring to Texas A&M University, where I will achieve my degree in psychology. During this time I will try to pursue an internship with a company in psychology to grow a deeper understanding of the career. Last I will go to graduate school, and complete my degree and then find a job as a school psychologist.

Many valuable skills are needed to be a psychologist; however, the two most important skills to me are to be a good listener and to have good people skills. In this career, psychologists have to listen and observe people's problems all day, so that they can properly diagnose the patients. Without good listening skills and being attentive, psychologists may miss very important information that may be needed to help the patients. This job requires constant interaction with people, so without good people skills the probability of success is very slim. Patients, who are having problems of their own, do not want to have to deal with someone who cannot properly interact with them. Another skill one must acquire is to be a patient person, and not get easily frustrated or angered by others. It sometimes takes a very long time for patients to get over a tragic event or problem they have endured. Because of this, patients will come to counseling multiple times with the same dilemma, and will seek help getting them through their hard times no matter how long it takes. Many more skills are needed for this occupation, and most of these skills will be acquired through time, interacting with patients, and studying.

In psychology, there are a number of different types of business positions that one may uphold. Depending on what degree plan one completes and what they want to pursue with that degree, depends on the amount of money they will make. As of April 2007 the average salary for a psychologist in the U.S is $76,515, but salaries can range from anywhere between $30,000 to $200,000 depending on the psychologists experience and field of practice. The top two occupations in the psychology field are clinical and school psychology. Clinical psychology is the highest paid job in the psychology field. They start out average about $64,460 and with experience they can earn up to $200,000. School psychologist make about $35,000 to $50,000 and can eventually earn up to $70,000 to $90,000. With the economic growth and the desperate need for psychologist the estimate for the average salary in 2022 will be about 110,200.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics says that psychologist will be in high demand through