Careers in Psychology; Opportunities in a Changing World Essay Example for Free

Careers in Psychology; Opportunities in a Changing World Essay It is usually very vital for one to consider the choice of their career path very carefully. One should consider his or her interests in the career, the job market as well as their education qualifications. It is equally important for one to carefully examine the merits and demerits that come with each career option. This is the sole reason why career talks have become part of the school curriculum in many countries in the world. This paper will analyze three case studies of individuals who are about to complete their Bachelor’s Degrees in Psychology, after which it will critically analyze the options the three cases have laid on the table by analyzing the advantages and disadvantages of each. Denise is considering a couple of options; Master of Arts/ Master of Science in Clinical Psychology Master of Arts/ Master of Science in Counseling Psychology Master of Education in Counseling Psychology Master of Social Work Master of Science in Pastoral Counseling Master of Science in Counseling. Important to note is where the interests of Denise lie. She has an interest in reading research materials or findings related to children, however this interest is not that much. Denise is also not very interested in doing research work. Considering the fact that Denise has a passion in desire to counsel youth and children is not enough when deciding to choose the next degree program the best option for Denise would be a Master’s Degree in Pastoral Counseling. The merits of this program are that it is in all ways related to the interests of Denise. It would give Denise the best opportunity to counsel youth and children. The degree does not require a lot of research work, rather it r equires more of reading research work. This would by all means be the best for Denise. However, a Master’s Degree in Pastoral Counseling would be tricky if matters of spiritual faith are put in consideration. It is not clear where her faith lies. It would be unbeatably the best if her spiritual faith lies along the pastoral line, or if she had pursued a degree in theology. CITATION Tar12 l 1033 (Kuther, 2012)A Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology would be advantageous in the sense that it has a wide job market and it is in line with the passion of Denise. However, this degree would not be the best for Denise since it requires a lot of research, which Denise is not very good at. Another disadvantage of this is that it would not limit her exactly to youth and children the way she would like it, older people have psychological problems as well. A Master of Science in Counseling Psychology would also not be advisable for Denise. This degree, just like the one in Clinical Psychology would require a lot of research work. Denise does not like research work and it would be very difficult for her to excel in this program. However, it could be really advantageous in the sense that it requires reading research materials and this is one major stronghold for Denise. A Master Degree in Clinical Psychology would have the same limitations as a Master Degree in Counseling Psychology. However, she loves reading research materials on youth and children. This would favor her in the case that she chose this career path. This leaves the best option for Denise as a Master Degree in Pastoral Psychology. CITATION Rob07 l 1033 (Sternberg, 2007)It would be very difficult for Raul to change what he wanted to do all his life to something else. However, the policy when choosing career paths is always no mistakes. This is when the purpose of internship comes out very clearly. All his life, Raul has been interested in counseling psychology or clinical psychology. He should be very careful when making a choice for the nest career step. This is owing to the fact that for one to excel in a certain career path, he or she ought to have the desire and passion for it. Passion does not just grow within a day and Raul does not have much time to make a decision. However, the volunteer work that he did in the psychiatric clinic seems to have helped him a great deal. The interview that he had with counselors and psychologists seems to have opened his eyes to the real career world. It is very important for Raul to make a decision before it is late since he is about to graduate from school. The interests of Raul are very important is deciding his career path. The fact that he has a wife and children makes it very necessary for him to take a career path that would help him a great deal financially. The best option for Raul in his career path would be to pursue a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology. This is owing to the fact that he has interests in researc h which is very vital to the program. Moreover, counseling would give him a wider job market and would therefore sustain him financially. CITATION Don08 l 1033 (Super, 2008)Having been in the cooperate world is indeed a milestone for John in the career world. As much as he was laid off, he is way ahead of a number of individuals. His experience in the cooperate world must have equipped him with a number of skills that will help him a great deal I n future. This is considering the fact that he would love to integrate his career path of psychology with business. For instance, one of the options that John is laying on the table is Industrial Organizational Psychology. I could not agree more with John on this one. Industrial Psychology would indeed be a very good way for John to combine what he learnt in the cooperate world together with Psychology. However, John should always keep in mind that this is a competitive world. The field of Industrial Psychology is just one of the fields tha t experience a lot of competition when it comes to pursuing a graduate program in the field. However, the best advice for John would be to first of all take a professional course that is related to business or rather the cooperate world. Such courses include Business Management, Business Administration, Marketing or even Certified Public Accounting (CPA). In this way, he would be able to prove his skills in the cooperate world, not just by word of mouth or experience but by Certified Professional Courses. This, together with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology would raise his bar much higher. Having done any of these professional courses, John would not only be fit to pursue Industrial or Organizational Psychology but he would also be able to compete with other individuals. CITATION Tho05 l 1033 (Wadsworth, 2005) References l 1033 Helms, J. L. (2011). Majoring in Psychology. New York : New York University Press. Kuther, T. (2012). Careers in Psychology; Opprtumities in a Changing World. New York: New York University Press. Sternberg, R. J. (2007). Career Paths in Psychology. Oxford University Press. Super, D. (2008). Opportunities in Psychology Careers. Oxford University Press. Wadsworth, T. (2005). Your Career in Psychology; Industrial /Organizational Psychology. New York: New York University Press. Source document