This PowerPoint is based on a talk given in 2008 to a group of visiting Sixth Formers

by

Patricia WrightSchool of Psychology

Cardiff University

Careers in Psychology

Outline

• Wide variety of Chartered Psychologist jobswith some examples of daily life

• Other jobs psychologists do

• Branching out after a psychology degree

• How to find out more

Variety of jobsafter BPS Chartered Status• Clinical Psychology• Educational Psychology• Occupational Psychology

• Counselling Psychology• Forensic Psychology

• Health Psychology• Sport & Exercise Psychology• Neuropsychology• Teaching and Research in Psychology

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2. Take a further accredited course - e.g. D.Ed. Psy. or M.Sc.Occupational

How to become Chartered

1. Take a degree that the BPS accredits.This gives you GBR

Graduate Basis for Registration as Member of BPS

A good degree (2.1) may be needed.Work experience may be necessary.

1 year3 years

Chartered Psychologists

What do they do?

Clinical Psychology• Clinical• Educational• Occupational

• Counselling• Forensic

• Health• Sport & Exercise• Neuropsychology• Teaching and Research

Help people who have • serious mental illness• depression• anxiety• child & family problems

Life as a Clinical Psychologist

Where?Mostly in NHS: hospitals, health centres, community mental health teams - child & adolescent mental health, social services.

How?Part of team with social workers, medics, other health professionals.Assess people’s mental health via psychometric tests, interviews . . . .

Pay £25k - £80k+

Educational Psychology• Clinical• Educational• Occupational

• Counselling• Forensic

• Health• Sport & Exercise• Neuropsychology• Teaching and Research

• Help children and young people develop and learn • Assessing child’s special educational needs• Provide courts & local authorities with reports.

Life as an Educational Psychologist

Where?Mostly for Local Education Authorities, some private, in nurseries, schools, colleges, special units.

How?Assess child’s learning problems and plan support. May work with child, parents or school. Write reports for SEN or courts.Involved in policy planning.

Pay £25k - £60k

Occupational Psychology• Clinical• Educational• Occupational

• Counselling• Forensic

• Health• Sport & Exercise• Neuropsychology• Teaching and Research

• Improve the effectiveness of organisations • satisfaction of employees

Life as an Occupational Psychologist

Where?In large organisations, both private and public (e.g. Civil Service), or private consultancies (e.g. management training centres).

How?Working alongside managers, trade union reps, etcto change working conditions. Involved in selection and training.

Pay £35k - £70k

Counselling• Clinical• Educational• Occupational

• Counselling• Forensic

• Health• Sport & Exercise• Neuropsychology• Teaching and Research

Help people deal with • personal and family problems • bereavement• stress, effects of trauma, etc.

Forensic Psychology

• Clinical• Educational• Occupational

• Counselling• Forensic

• Health• Sport & Exercise• Neuropsychology• Teaching & Research

• Offender profiling to aid detection • treatment programs for offenders• assessment for parole boards • training & selection of police & magistrates

Health Psychology . . .

• Clinical• Educational• Occupational

• Counselling• Forensic

• Health• Sport & Exercise• Neuropsychology• Teaching & Research

• preventing ill health, both physical & mental• changing attitudes and behaviours• help patients in the self-management of their illness

Not needing chartership

Variety of jobs

• Psychotherapy UK Council for Psychotherapy British Confed. for Psychotherapists

• Hypnotherapy• Child Psychology• Organisational Psychology• Consumer Psychology• Aviation Psychology• Environmental Psychology• Gambling Psychology• Animal Psychology

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Where a psych degree is a good starting point

Variety of jobs

• Human Computer Interaction• Advertising• Public Relations• Human Resources• Management• Teaching• Social work• Music/art therapy• Rehabilitation• Data analyst• etc

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Usability professionals design & evaluate products - making them more efficient, effective & enjoyable.

Professional overlaps in client support

Psychologists often work with multidisciplinary teams

Opportunities for work in psychology are expanding in number and scope, especially for those with graduate degrees

An undergraduate degree remains excellent preparation for graduate work in psychology or for another field, such as business, medicine, or computer science.

Future prospects

APA

Further information

BPS careers booklet can be downloaded from School website and is also at www.bps.org.uk

Teach Yourself Applied PsychologyNicky Hayes (2003). London: Hodder & Stoughton Ltd.

The American Psychological Association booklet on careers in psychology can be downloaded from www.apa.org

Psychology Student Employability Guide can be downloaded from School website

Former students talk about their work experiences atwww. psychology.heacademy.ac.uk/html/call_for_case_studies.asp

Further Information