How to Make a Successful Career in Psychology in the US?

Psychology is a very popular field for students in the US today. With so much popularity, it is not surprising that more and more people are entering this field every year. So what steps can you take to ensure that your career in psychology becomes successful? This article will explore these questions and give tips on how to succeed as a psychologist in America today.

Psychology is a Popular Field in the US

Psychology is a trendy field for students in the US today. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the annual expected number of opportunities for psychologists is 14,100. From 2021 to 2031, the total number of psychologists employed is anticipated to increase by 6%. 

It is a science that studies human behavior and mental processes. Psychologists study human behavior and cognitive functions to understand a person’s thoughts, emotions, and actions. Psychology is used to understand and predict how people think, feel, behave, interact and relate with others. It includes understanding normal processes and those related to mental illness or emotional distress.

Psychology is not just limited to the diagnosis or treatment of disorders but also includes research on topics such as:

■ Learning or intelligence: how to acquire new skills

■ Memory: how information is encoded, stored & retrieved

■ Language & speech: communication through verbal means

■ Personality characteristics: including motivation-demands and balance

■ Social interactions: between people, such as friendship

Register with the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP)

Now that you have a good idea of what it takes to become a psychologist in the US let’s talk about how to get started on your career path. It begins with registering with the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP). It is an organization that helps people who want to pursue careers as psychologists by providing them with accreditation and certification. You can register with them by completing their application and paying the fee needed for membership.

Once you’ve done this, you’ll need to complete your training program by taking courses in psychology at an accredited school. You need to complete these classes and pass all necessary tests and assignments along the way. 

One needs to be attentive for classes and tests, as studying is crucial. But the assignments are more daunting than the tests. To prepare, you can take psychology homework help from psychology tutors who can look at the problem and explain the solution. You can then apply for certification from ABPP and jobs in mental health care centers around town.

It is a Step-By-Step Process

Finding a job is a step-by-step process. To find a job, you need to know the steps involved in the process and which steps are essential for you.

For example, it’s great if you can network and get recommendations from employers, but it’s not very likely that this will happen independently. So you have to take some action: ask for recommendations and make sure that your connections know about your job search.

The same goes for social media: if you use social media as part of your strategy, then use it. But don’t expect much from posting links online or sharing articles unless other procedures are in place. These include asking colleagues for help finding contacts or sending messages directly via LinkedIn.

Explore Your Area of Study

To help you make a wise decision, you must consider the different areas of psychology and their requirements. An excellent place to start is by looking at the many different specializations that exist within this field. For example, clinical psychology involves:

■ Treating mental disorders by conducting assessments.

■ Diagnosing patients.

■ Developing treatment plans based on those diagnoses.

In contrast, industrial/organizational (I/O) psychology looks at how individuals interact with each other in a particular workplace setting. Also, organizations can improve their performance through proper hiring practices and employee training programs.

After further exploring your area of interest, look into what educational requirements are needed to pursue your chosen specialization. For example, some degrees require previous coursework before enrolling in graduate school. In contrast, others only require an undergraduate degree in psychology and specific scores on standardized tests such as Graduate Record Examination (GRE).

Select a Specialization or Subfield

As you progress with your educational and professional development, you must consider the type of specialization or subfield that matches your interests. For example, those interested in working in psychology should consider whether they want to pursue a narrow or broad specialization.

For example, if you are interested in working with children, choose a specialization that is not too broad, e.g., child psychology. Even young people are suffering, which has to be looked upon. For example, Mental Health America Reports that compared to 2021, there were 306,000 (1.24%) more young people aged (12-17) suffering from Major Depressive Episodes.

A broad specialization may include topics such as developmental psychology or clinical psychology. Alternatively, if you are interested in treating specific illnesses, such as depression, choose a more specialized area of studies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy or psychotherapy.

Obtaining a Doctoral Degree

Obtaining a doctoral degree is not required to practice psychology in the US, but it can help. Obtaining a doctoral degree is unnecessary if you plan on working in private practice or as a therapist. However, getting a doctorate may be helpful if you hope to work in academia or research settings at colleges or universities.

According to Forbes, in 2022, psychology master’s degree holders may expect to make up to $200K. A master’s degree in psychology will provide the basic knowledge and skills needed for beginning professional positions in applied settings such as counseling centers or hospitals. Doctoral students usually specialize in:

■ Clinical practice: e.g., counseling.

■ Research methodologies used by psychologists: e.g., laboratory research.

■ Philosophy of science-related topics: e.g., how psychological theories should be tested.

Internships, Volunteering, and Gain Experience

Internships and volunteering are great ways to get experience. Interns are paid to work in an organization, while volunteers typically do not receive payment for their services. However, both can be excellent ways to gain valuable job skills and knowledge. It will give you the edge over others applying for similar positions.

In today’s economy, many people have been forced into entry-level positions to pay their monthly or weekly bills. While this may seem like a setback at first glance, it presents an opportunity for those who can gain valuable experience while working in these lower-level positions. 

It also gives them something else. Many companies will look at candidates who have worked their way up through lower-paying jobs with more respect. That is when the comparison is made with someone who only has one or two years of experience but has no practical knowledge of what it takes to survive at such levels.

Make Your Career Successful in Psychology

Psychology is a popular field for students in the US today. If you want to make your career successful in psychology, various options are available, such as registering with the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP) and finding a job. The first step in exploring this field is choosing the area of study or specialization you want to pursue. You may also want to consider looking into subfields within your chosen specialization before moving on to finding an internship or job.

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