Here are your options for psychology careers
Are you considering a career as a psychologist? With so many psychology careers to choose from, selecting an area of specialisation can be tough. But before you make your decision, it’s important to understand what your options are. Psychology also makes a good foundation for other careers, such as teaching and social work. So, if you’re looking for a new job, visit Job Mail today for various psychology job opportunities.
What are the duties of a psychologist?
Psychologists are responsible for helping people with challenges such as depression and anger, but they also help people deal with chronic conditions and other short- or long-term issues. Additionally, they can also assist patients in overcoming addiction and break past barriers that keep them from reaching their goals.
These professionals are also responsible for administering and interpreting several tests and assessments in order to help diagnose a patient and use the right therapy to treat them.
Psychologists can specialise in different areas of psychology and can help anywhere, from schools to workplaces, individuals, couples, families, etc.
What are the different types of psychology careers?
- Clinical Psychologist
A Clinical Psychologist is typically employed by medical institutions. These professionals can also choose to go into private practice. They are responsible for offering diagnostic services and therapy to their clients. They focus on the psychological well-being of their clients with the aim of improving their mental health. As a Clinical Psychologist, you’ll be working with people who have eating disorders, schizophrenia, depression, and anxiety, just to name a few.
- Counselling Psychologist
As a counsellor, you’ll be able to set up a private practice and you can find employment in the non-profit sector. These professionals work with individuals, couples, and groups with the aim of improving their emotional well-being.
- Forensic Psychologist
If you’re interested in the criminal mind, you can consider working as a Forensic Psychologist. The main duty of these professionals is to work together with law enforcement in order to solve crimes. You can expect to give expert testimony in court. Forensic Psychologists play a role in determining if suspects are fit to stand trial and they’re expected to offer recommendations for treatment. Another duty that’s associated with this career is assessing whether witnesses are credible or not.
- Industrial Psychologist
When it comes to psychology careers, you can find employment in the HR department of companies as an Industrial Psychologist. These professionals study people’s behaviour in the workplace in order to boost motivation and efficiency. Duties include developing training programs and conducting employee assessments.
- Sports Psychologist
Are you interested in sport? You can combine your passion for athletics with your interest in people by becoming a Sports Psychologist. If you pursue this career, you’ll be responsible for assisting athletes to reach their full potential as well as for consulting with sports teams. These professionals focus on how psychological health influences sports performance.
- Research Psychologist
Research psychologists compile and analyse data. Suitable research psychology careers are available in the advertising industry as well as in government departments. Architects also sometimes require the services of these professionals.
- Educational Psychologist
If you enjoy working with young people, then this could be the right career for you.
Educational Psychologists are responsible for working with students of all ages to determine how they learn and interact with different people and environments. These professionals also work with various people, such as the students’ parents, teachers, social workers, counsellors, speech and language therapists, etc. to support each student and improve their skills and learning abilities.
Educational requirements
If you want to become a psychologist, you’ll need to complete an Honours degree in psychology followed by a Master’s degree and an internship that’s approved by the HPCSA. During this period, you’ll be required to complete a thesis. Once you’re done, you’ll need to complete the National Examination of the Professional Board for Psychology and register with the Health Professions Council of South Africa.
You can study:
- Bachelor’s degree majoring in psychology – You can study at most accredited universities and tertiary education institutes.
- Honours degree in psychology – Available at universities
- Master’s degree program in psychology – Available at universities
Is a career in psychology suitable for you?
If you have an interest in human behaviour and have outstanding listening skills, then becoming a psychologist might be the right career for you. Psychology careers are suitable for caring, open-minded, and emotionally stable people.
Now that you know more about the different psychology careers out there, you can make an informed decision on what to specialise in. Browse Job Mail to discover a range of interesting employment opportunities in the medical sector.
I am interested in research pschology as i am working with data analysis
Hi Nomfundo,
Have you chosen an institution to study at? Each one has their own set of requirements you have to fulfil should you wish to further your studies there.
We’d like to suggest that you get in touch with your university or college of choice then contact them to find out what their requirements are.
Kind regards,
The Job Mail Team
REQUIREMENTS TO STUDY PSYCHOLOGY?
Hi Claudine,
Have you chosen an institution to study at? Each one has their own set of requirements you have to fulfil should you wish to further your studies there.
We’d like to suggest that you get in touch with your university or college of choice then contact them to find out what their requirements are.
Kind regards,
The Job Mail Team
I’m studying counseling psychology recently and this is my third year, though I have been adviced that one can not practice with only a degree in psychology. I noticed that I have to also do the honours after my degree which places one under pressure of costs coz bursaries for such courses are limited and the cost of tuition is expensive… My question is that, is it possible for students in that field to get employed in hospitals for practical purposes which will make it easy for them to also afford tuition fees?
Hi Promise,
We are not in a position to accurately answer this question. We’d like to suggest that you get in touch with the HR department of the hospital or institutions you want to work in for insight and information regarding this.
Kind regards,
The Job Mail Team
I am interested in studying psycology
Good day Aaron
We would recommend you to contact the various universities and tertiary education institutes that offer psychology degrees and find out what their requirements are, as they might differ from one institution to another. Their student advisors will be able to answer all your questions.
We’d also like to suggest that when you’ve completed your degree, register your CV on Job Mail so that recruiters and employers can easily find you when they search for candidates. Click here to do so.
We wish you all the best and hope you find the perfect job.
Kind regards,
The Job Mail Team
Hi guys, i did counselling psychology but now it seems m stucked without any knowledge of the next step coz I got degree but can’t qualify for honours, how n were will I work?
Hi Makoma,
If you have not registered your CV on Job Mail, follow this link: http://bit.ly/2Lk3C0b.
Once you’ve registered, look for jobs that suit your skill set at http://bit.ly/2mFMBPB and apply for them!
Alternatively, set up a job alert to receive the latest jobs in your field via email at http://bit.ly/2LxITpe.
We hope you find employment soon!
I have completed 3 years in Psychology in 2016 and now I have registered for undergraduate again in Psychology since they couldn’t allow me to do my honors as I was from a different institution. I am really passinate about this, currently, i am in the process of registering a youth-centre which will also help in counseling.
Hi Gratitude,
It’s wonderful how you continue to further your education and how much you care about your community.
Kind regards,
The Job Mail Team