Cengage Learning. Module B Careers in Psychology. Psychology: Themes and Variations. For Weiten s. Briefer Version, Seventh Edition

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1 3508_Weiten_ModB 12/18/ :05 PM Page M-1 Module B Careers in Psychology For Weiten s Psychology: Themes and Variations Briefer Version, Seventh Edition By Margaret A. Lloyd 2008 Thomson Wadsworth, a part of The Thomson Corporation. Thomson, the Star logo, and Wadsworth are trademarks used herein under license. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this work covered by the copyright hereon may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping, Web distribution, information storage and retrieval systems, or in any other manner without the written permission of the publisher. Printed in the United States of America ISBN-13: ISBN-10:

2 3508_Weiten_ModB 12/18/ :05 PM Page M-2 Web Link M.1 Marky Lloyd s Careers in Psychology Page Professor Marky Lloyd, the author of this module, has put together a wide variety of helpful resources for those who want to learn about entry-level jobs for psychology majors as well as those requiring a master s or doctoral degree. The information and tips on getting into graduate school are especially helpful. Perhaps you have already heard the disheartening claim, You can t get a job with a bachelor s degree in psychology. Is there any truth to this assertion? If by job, you mean working as a professional psychologist, then the saying is true. Psychologists must have a doctoral degree in psychology because the nature of their work requires more extensive education and training than can be gained at the undergraduate level. But it simply is not true that you can t get a good entry-level job with a psychology degree. In the following pages, we will briefly explore the kinds of entry-level jobs that are available to psychology majors as well as some occupations that require graduate degrees. I will also share some pointers to help you compete effectively in the job market and enhance your chances of getting into graduate school. Entry-Level Career Options for Psychology Majors It would be easy to spot entry-level jobs if you could look in the want ads under the heading psychologist, but as already noted, that tactic won t work. Because the connection between the psychology major (and other liberal arts majors) and relevant entrylevel jobs is not as obvious as it is in applied majors (nursing and accounting, for example), identifying relevant entry-level jobs requires some detective work. Thanks to the Internet, it has become easier to identify job titles of interest. A number of websites have search engines that allow you to locate specific occupations and learn about the relevant skills, educational requirements, salaries, and other useful points (see Web Links M.2, M.3, and M.4). Because most psychology majors would like jobs in which they can help other people, counseling is a popular career option. If you think about it, though, there are many other ways to help people. For example, managers help employees to do their best, child welfare agents help children in trouble, and probation officers help juvenile offenders stay on the right track. Also, in doing your detective work, you should be aware that occupations requiring essentially the same skills are often listed under a variety of titles. Don t overlook a viable option because the title is unfamiliar. Figure M.1 will give you an idea of the wide range of job options open to psychology majors. Once you have identified some occupations of interest, compare them on the critical factors of current job openings, salary, and future employment outlook. An excellent resource for this information is the Occupational Outlook Handbook (see Web Link M.2). This step is essential if you want to make informed occupational choices. The average starting salary of psychology (and other liberal arts) majors tends to be lower than that of most applied majors. In , it was around $30,000. Jobs in business and research command higher salaries than those in human services (counseling and social work, for example). Keep this fact in mind. If you are like most students, however, your job decision will not be based on money alone. A recent survey regarding what college graduates seek when choosing an employer found that a high starting salary was ranked surprisingly low, whereas enjoying what I do earned the top ranking (National Association of College Employers, 2005). Thus, salary is just one of many factors that you should consider in pursuing a job. Figure M.1 Entry-level positions open to psychology majors. A bachelor s degree in psychology can prepare students for a diverse array of entry-level jobs in a variety of occupational areas. The jobs listed here are merely a handful of examples of the entrylevel positions for which psychology majors qualify. Potential Jobs for Psychology Majors with a Bachelor s Degree Business area customer relations employment interviewer human resources recruiter insurance agent loan officer management trainee marketing representative realtor sales representative store manager Law and corrections areas Health and human services areas behavioral analyst case worker child welfare agent director of volunteer services drug counselor family services worker hospital patient service representative nursing home administrator rehabilitation advisor residential youth counselor Other areas case manager corrections officer court officer EPA investigator probation/parole officer affirmative action officer college admissions representative newspaper reporter research assistant technical writer M-2 MODULE B

3 3508_Weiten_ModB 12/18/ :05 PM Page M-3 Keys to Success in the Entry-Level Job Market There are three keys to a successful job search. First, you need to have accurate information about the knowledge, skills, and values required for occupations that interest you. You may be surprised to learn that these skills and values are not as job-specific as most people assume. Surveys of employers reveal that a relatively small set of skills and values are considered essential for success in a wide variety of occupations (see Figure M.2). You don t have to be a genius to figure out the second key to success: You need to acquire those skills that are prized by employers. The third key to a successful job search is to assemble convincing documentation for prospective employers that you possess these skills and values. Developing Valuable Skills To help you acquire these highly rated work skills, you have three excellent skill-building vehicles available: college courses, relevant work experience, and extracurricular activities. Obviously, the earlier in General Work Skills and Personal Values Employers Seek Work skills Communication skills. Almost always rated first, communication skills include being able to write and speak effectively. A third, often overlooked, communication skill is effective listening, including being sensitive enough to hear and relate to the emotions behind another s words. Adaptability/flexibility. Employers value workers who can adapt to changing conditions and work assignments (learn new skills), deal with ambiguity, and appreciate that there are usually several legitimate perspectives on an issue. your college career you start your skills development project, the more time you have to hone your skills. College courses. Within the constraints of curriculum requirements, choose courses to help you develop occupationally relevant knowledge and skills. Make thoughtful choices across all areas of the curriculum: general education courses, psychology courses, and general electives. The content of courses is an obvious and important aspect of education. Your coursework also provides learning opportunities that are less obvious. In addition to teaching course content, college courses provide numerous opportunities to learn a remarkable variety of skills that can give you a competitive edge in the job market. For example, your courses can help you improve your critical thinking skills, acquire insights into your behavior and that of others, enhance your interpersonal skills, clarify your values, acquaint you with ethical principles, improve your communication abilities, increase your computer sophistication and information literacy, and bolster your self-management skills (setting and completing goals, managing your time, coping with stress). The psychology major can Analytical/research skills. These important skills involve critical thinking; extracting key ideas from written material, graphs, and tables; and solving problems and answering questions. Computer skills. Employers want workers who are competent in using word-processing, spread-sheet, and database management programs, as well as the Internet and . Social and teamwork skills. Today s workers need to interact effectively in one-on-one settings and on teams. They must also be able to work well with co-workers from diverse cultures and backgrounds. Figure M.2 Qualities employers value in employees. Employers widely agree on the general work skills and values they desire in their employees. To be competitive in the job market, workers must possess the qualities listed here and document them in cover letters, résumés, and interviews. (Based on Appleby, 2000; Hansen & Hansen, 2003; Landrum & Harrold, 2003) Web Link M.2 Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH) Online Every two years the Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes the OOH, now available via the Internet. This essential occupational guide provides information about every occupation in the United States, including descriptions of the nature of each job and its working conditions, educational requirements, future employment and earnings prospects, and places to find further information. Self-management skills. These critical skills include having self-confidence, being able to work with little supervision, being able to set manageable goals and complete them on time, and being able to manage time effectively. Emotional maturity is also important, especially the ability to cope with undesirable behavior in others and to refrain from petty behavior. Personal values Integrity/honesty. Employers greatly value ethical behavior in their employees. Dependability and loyalty. Workers who come to the workplace prepared to work, who arrive on time, and who show up every day are prized. Employers also value personal and company loyalty in their employees. Positive attitude and motivation/energy. Valued employees are those who have a cando attitude, bring energy to their work, and are willing to learn new skills and information. Careers in Psychology M-3

4 3508_Weiten_ModB 12/18/ :05 PM Page M-4 Web Link M.3 JobWeb The National Association of Colleges and Employers has assembled a comprehensive set of resources for both students and career guidance professionals. The site includes information on job searching, employment listings, educational updating, and college- and universitybased resources. Figure M.3 Knowledge, skills, and values supported by the psychology major. Ten learning goals for the undergraduate psychology major have been outlined by a national task force (Halonen et al., 2002). The first five goals include knowledge, skills, and values developed specifically in the psychology major. The remaining goals consist of knowledge, skills, and values that are developed in the liberal arts (general education) curriculum and that psychology further advances. Source: Halonen, J. S., Appleby, D. C., Brewer, C. L., Buskist, W., Gillem, A. R., Halpern, D., et al. (2002). Undergraduate psychology major learning goals and outcomes: A report. Retrieved August 10, 2005, from taskforcereport2.pdf. The document has been endorsed by the APA Board of Educational Affairs, but does NOT represent APA policy. definitely help you develop the general skills and values that employers seek. Figure M.3 lists 10 learning goals that a psychology major should support, based on the consensus of a national task force. If you compare this list with the list of employers preferred skills and values in Figure M.2, you will see that there is a close match. Relevant work experience (paid work and volunteer activities). If you must work while attending school, look for a job that will help you develop useful skills. For example, if you want to be a probation officer, seek out volunteer opportunities to work with adolescents. Many colleges have Volunteer Services offices that match students interests with community needs. Extracurricular activities. Involvement in campus clubs and student activities can also help you develop work-related abilities especially leadership and interpersonal skills. Be careful not to overload yourself with work, volunteering, and extracurricular activities to the detriment of your grades. Good grades are important in obtaining your first job and getting good recommendations from faculty members, and they are essential to qualify for graduate school. Documenting Your Skills Once you acquire the skills and values employers want, you must be able to document this fact to prospective employers. You do so by preparing résumés and cover letters that showcase your skills. The job interview is another key aspect of this process. Even if you have a bundle of talents, you can easily falter at these critical points. There is a lot to know in developing a competitive résumé, a compelling cover letter, and good interviewing skills. You can learn the essentials at your Career Services office. Next Steps It is critical that you start the job search process early the spring term of your senior year is too late. Attend career fairs, where job recruiters come to your college campus, to learn about job options and what recruiters are looking for. When you are clear about the various occupational titles you want to pursue, visit your Career Services office. The staff can get you started off right on your job search. Career Options at the Master s Level After working several years in an entry-level position, you may want more challenges, a higher salary, or greater independence. One way to move up the career ladder is to return to school. Alternatively, you may want to attend graduate school directly upon Learning Goals for the Psychology Major Knowledge, skills, and values consistent with the science and application of psychology Goal 1. Theory and content of psychology. Students should show familiarity with the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, and historical trends in psychology. Goal 2. Research methods in psychology. Students should understand and apply basic research methods in psychology, including research design, data analysis, and interpretation. Goal 3. Critical thinking skills in psychology. Students should respect and use critical and creative thinking, skeptical inquiry, and, when possible, the scientific approach to solve problems related to behavior and mental processes. Goal 4. Application of psychology. Students should understand and apply psychological principles to personal, social, and organizational issues. Goal 5. Values in psychology. Students should be able to weigh evidence, tolerate ambiguity, act ethically, and reflect other values that are the underpinnings of psychology as a discipline. Knowledge, skills, and values consistent with liberal arts education that are further developed in psychology Goal 6. Information and technological literacy. Students should demonstrate information competence and the ability to use computers and other technology for many purposes. Goal 7. Communication skills. Students should be able to communicate effectively in a variety of formats. Goal 8. Sociocultural and international awareness. Students should recognize, understand, and respect the complexity of sociocultural and international diversity. Goal 9. Personal development. Students should develop insight into their own and others behavior and mental processes and apply effective strategies for self-management and self-improvement. Goal 10. Career planning and development. Students should emerge from the major with realistic ideas about how to implement their psychological knowledge, skills, and values in occupational pursuits in a variety of settings. M-4 MODULE B

5 3508_Weiten_ModB 12/18/ :05 PM Page M-5 graduation. If you want to extend your knowledge and skills but do not want to invest the time, effort, and money required for a doctoral degree, a master s degree may be just the ticket for you. Because counseling is a popular career option among psychology majors, we will discuss three master s-level career options in the mental health area. There are also master s-level careers in other areas of psychology, such as industrial/organizational psychology. An undergraduate major in psychology is excellent preparation for all of these career paths. Clinical Psychology Clinical psychologists diagnose and treat people with psychological problems and administer psychological tests. Although most programs in clinical psychology are offered at the doctoral level, there are some terminal master s degree programs in clinical psychology and some other subfields. Clinical master s programs typically teach students how to administer selected psychological tests along with the basics of psychological diagnosis and psychotherapy. Students in these programs receive either an M.A. (Master of Arts) or an M.S. (Master of Science) degree. Upon graduation, they either seek employment or apply to doctoral programs. Some states license individuals with master s degrees in clinical psychology, but many do not. A licess to occupations that offer more options and inde- Doctoral-level education and training will give you accense is a quality-control credential that gives individuals legal authority to work independently that at the master s level. Given space constraints, I will pendence as well as higher salaries, compared to those is, without the supervision of a doctoral-level professional. Individuals with a master s degree in clinical more information, including descriptions of the many touch just very generally on these career options. For psychology may qualify for licenses such as psycho- subfields of psychology, see Web Links M.1 and M.6. logical associate, professional counselor, or marriage and family therapist. Note that they are not licensed as psychologists this title is reserved for those with doctoral degrees. Whether licensed or not, these individuals are qualified to work in supervised settings such as community mental health centers. For more information, see Web Links M.1 and M.2. Clinical Social Work Unlike social workers or case workers, clinical social workers diagnose and treat psychological problems. Clinical social workers are educated in departments or colleges of social work (not psychology departments). The degree that they earn is the M.S.W. (Master of Social Work). They do not do psychological testing, so you should consider majoring in psychology or education if you want to do assessment. They work in community mental health centers, counseling centers, hospitals, and schools. All 50 states license clinical social workers at the master s level. This fact makes clinical social work an attractive career option. For more information, see Web Link M.5. Agency Counseling Agency counselors provide various types of counseling assistance to clients and may administer a limited number of psychological tests (occupational interest tests, for example). Thus, the work is somewhat like that done by those with a master s degree in clinical psychology. Counselors are educated in departments of education; they receive the M.Ed. (Master of Education) degree. Most people assume that a degree in education requires one to work in a school setting. Agency counseling (sometimes called community counseling ) is an important exception. If you want to counsel but do not want to work in a school setting, consider this option. Graduates typically work in community mental health centers. They may have a private practice if they obtain a license (typically as a professional counselor or marriage and family therapist ). Career Options at the Doctoral Level Teaching and Research If you want to teach in a university setting, you will probably also be required to conduct research. If you want to focus solely on teaching, consider a job at a two-year college, as research is usually emphasized less in these institutions. If you want to focus solely on research, consider working for government agencies (for example, the Centers for Disease Control) or private research organizations. To work in a university psychology department, you will need a Ph.D. in psychology not a degree in another field such as education or social work. Applied Work In selected subfields, psychologists are qualified to apply their knowledge by offering professional services to the public. These professional areas of specialization include clinical psychology, counseling psychology, forensic psychology, health psychology, Web Link M.4 The Riley Guide: Employment Opportunities and Job Resources on the Internet This site, developed by the well-regarded career expert Margaret F. Dikel, complements her excellent book, the Guide to Internet Job Searching. Her website contains literally hundreds of annotated links regarding almost any topic related to employment and careers. Web Link M.5 National Association of Social Workers This website of the National Association of Social Workers contains a Student Center subpage (listed under Resources ) that describes what social workers do, provides salary information, and answers questions about education, licensing, and credentialing. Web Link M.6 APA Online The American Psychological Association website has two especially useful links for students. The divisions link will enable you to access the individual webpages of the many subfields of psychology. The link to the students page will help you find information about undergraduate psychology honoraries, getting into graduate school, and related topics. Careers in Psychology M-5

6 3508_Weiten_ModB 12/18/ :05 PM Page M-6 Web Link M.7 Salary.com This helpful site allows you to determine salary ranges for numerous occupations at different experience levels and in different geographical areas and to compare these to national averages. You can probably get all the information you need for free, but you can also pay (a lot) for a customized report. industrial/organizational psychology, and sports psychology. The required degree for most of these areas is typically the Ph.D. The Psy.D. is also appropriate in the area of clinical psychology, and the Ed.D. is acceptable in counseling psychology. Gaining Admission to Graduate School The most important requirements for admission to graduate school are high scores on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE), excellent grades, glowing faculty recommendations, and research experience. For the record, it is much harder to gain admission to a doctoral program than a master s program. Common minimum scores required on the GRE verbal and quantitative sections for doctoral programs are around 550 to 600 (on each test); for master s programs, they hover around 500. The minimum cumulative gradepoint average for admission to doctoral programs is typically around 3.2; for a master s program, it is around 3.0. On average, admitted students tend to have GPAs that are quite a bit higher than these minimum figures. Gaining admission to Ph.D. programs in clinical psychology is roughly as competitive and challenging as gaining admission to medical school. Of course, requirements vary among programs within the two levels. Departments with excellent reputations usually have more stringent requirements. Early Preparation Early in your college career you may not know whether you will want to try to gain admission to graduate school. To keep this educational door open until you are sure that you want to close it, keep the following points in mind: 1. Begin early to develop the knowledge and skills graduate programs seek. As with the job search, you need to begin early to develop the qualities listed in Figure M.2, as these are also important to success in graduate school. In addition, you must hone your verbal, quantitative, and critical thinking skills to a high degree and be able to demonstrate that you possess these skills through your GRE scores, grades, and letters of recommendation. Demonstrating that you have research experience is also important. An excellent way to start is to volunteer to help faculty members with their research. Also note that graduate schools place much less emphasis on extracurricular activities than employers do. 2. Keep your grades up. Performing well in all of your classes will help you to learn the information and develop the thinking skills that will permit you to score high on the GRE. It is especially important to do well in your research methods and statistics courses. Good grades will also make you eligible for membership in Psi Chi, the national honor society in psychology. 3. Position yourself to obtain strong letters of recommendation from three faculty members. Graduate schools want recommendations only from faculty members. (For employers, recommendations from supervisors and clergy are also acceptable.) Try to take some smaller courses that may enable your professors to get to know you and to become familiar with your work. Otherwise, it will be difficult for them to write good letters of recommendation for you. Next Steps You need to prepare your applications for graduate school during the fall term of your senior year. Thus, in your junior year, you should begin identifying the subfield (clinical, social, developmental, etc.) in which you want to specialize, as well as schools that interest you. The graduate school application process is complicated and involves dealing with information and issues that are unfamiliar to virtually all students. Thus, it is essential to identify a knowledgeable faculty member in the psychology department at your school to advise you about the admissions process. Although Careers Services staff members are experts on career issues, they are far less knowledgeable about graduate school admissions. For details about the process of applying to graduate programs in psychology see Web Link M.1. M-6 MODULE B

7 3508_Weiten_ModB 12/18/ :05 PM Page M-7 References Appleby, D. (2000). Job skills valued by employers who interview psychology majors. Eye on Psi Chi, 4(3), 17. Halonen, J. S., Appleby, D. C., Brewer, C. L., Buskist, W., Gillem, A. R., Halpern, D., Hill, G. W., Lloyd, M. A., Rudmann, J. L. & Whitlow, V. M. (2002). Undergraduate psychology major learning goals and outcomes: A report. Retrieved August 10, 2005, from Hansen, R. S., & Hansen, K. (2003). What do employers really want? Top skills and values employers seek from job seekers. Quintzine, 4(23). Retrieved August 8, 2005 from job_skills_values.html. Landrum, R. E., & Harrold, R. (2003). What employers want from psychology graduates. Teaching of Psychology, 30(2), National Association of Colleges and Employers. (2005). Summer 2005 salary survey. Retrieved August 8, 2005, from salary_by_degree_and_job_function.asp. Careers in Psychology M-7

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