Mary Said:

Career change to Psychology - I am 25 yrs. old and w/ a degree in business - How do i get started?

We Answered:

There would be many things to consider: 1) did you just graduate or have you been out a while, 2) are you willing to give up or able to give up your job (you'll pretty much have to), and most importantly, 3) why clinical psychology? Without many details, I'll focus on the third. Why clinical? I'm curious given you've never had any courses in psychology. If it's because of what you've seen on Oprah, Dr. Phil, etc. or because "people have just always told me their problems," then you're better off staying in business. Those are entertainment outlets and not meant to be helpful--in fact we find that that kind of intervention/treatment is usually harmful to patients! If it's because you've had treatment (and I mean no offense), then you must consider if you would be appropriate and capable of functioning as a psychologist. I don't mean to be harsh, but I do mean to be blunt--there are too many people out there playing therapist with problems of their own that are getting in their way--and worse yet harming their patients and having a disorder DOES NOT make you a better psychologist for that problem (we have research to back this up).

Online college would pretty much nix your chances at a reputable grad school. Your best bet at this point would be, if you've got the financial option, to either go back and get another BA/BS and/or get a job working for a psychology grant somewhere to get some real exposure.

Finally, you're thinking about this the wrong way--which is part of the reason I seem a bit harsh. You'd be working with people and seriously affecting their lives--for better or worse. You shouldn't be coming at this from the position of "what's the minimum I need to do to be able to do this legally," but rather a position of "what's the best approach so that I will be qualified and competent to do therapy." For example, would you rather see a psychologist/medical doctor/surgeon/etc. who did the bare minimum at Never Heard of You Online College or South of the Border University, or a highly trained expert who came out of a reputable State or Ivy League University and had done extra rotations in his/her particular area of specialization?

P.S.
Glad you took the advice in the spirit it was offered. First things first, cognitive-behavioral (CBT) and clinical are not different things. CBT is a particular theoretical orientation to doing clinical psychology. Best thing I can recommend to you at this point, and before you do anything else or spend money, is to get online and order a used Introduction to Psychology (Kalat had/has a good one) textbook and an Abnormal Psychology textbook (Barlow has a couple of good ones). My guess is Amazon and the like have some slightly older or used editions for little money. Taking a look at these and reading them cover to cover should help your thinking and give you a brief overview of what you need to consider. At least as it pertains to clinical psychology, give thought to what theories you like: e.g., behavioral, cognitive-behavioral, cognitive, psychodynamic (heaven forbid), or some other theory. Right now, your strongest theories in clinical psychology are Cognitive-Behavioral or just cognitive or behavioral by themselves. Give thought as you read also to who you might want to work with (certain ages? certain disorders? etc.). So if you decide, for example, that you want to work with depression in the elderly from a cognitive-behavioral perspective, you'll know what programs and professors to look for.

As for where to go, you've actually got an opportunity here--most undergrads muddle along through a Psychology program without knowing what they want to do. If you give careful thought to the previous paragraph, then you'll want to find an undergrad school that has a prominent psychologist that plays to those interests--(s)he'll be able to give you the experiences you'll need to get into an appropriate grad placement. Remember, it's not the university, and less so the program, but rather the individual professor who needs to be "good" in the area of training you want. After you've identified what you want to do, take a look at psychology dept. websites and narrow down your list of choices. The students who have the easiest time getting into grad school knew what they wanted to do all along and tailored their experiences and education toward that goal all their undergrad careers and they easily one-up the students that decide what they want to do their last semester, etc. So to answer, there are many great universities/colleges in New York, but only certain ones for certain disorders with certain populations.

Michael Said:

Career change?

We Answered:

Hi Colin

My advice to you would be to go for it.

I had a complete career change, also at the age of 40, and I'm so glad that I did. I finally get to do a job that means something, that I love and enjoy, and that I know helps others.

I've suffered for many years with my own mental health problems and I still do, in fact I'm currently off work sick at the moment, and after a particularly difficult time with my last employers I decided that I had to give up my job.

I spent a year away from employment and spent most of that time volunteering at my local mental health charity. During this time I realised that working the usual 9 to 5 in an office, which I'd always done in the past, wasn't what I wanted to do anymore. It felt much more important to work with people on a daily basis, I felt valued and able to make a difference.

I applied for many jobs but found that my lack of experience held me back. I continued to do my voluntary work and not to let go of my new goal. When a vacancy came up where I was I applied for it, and I was appointed. I was very keen to prove that this was given on merit and not because they knew me, especially as this was the only time that a former service user had ever been allowed to apply for a position.

Some times things are 'meant to be', a phrase I always hated, but now find myself believing more and more. I truly believe that I'm now doing a job that I was meant to do but one that I couldn't do without having my own experiences in the past.

Working part time will bring it's own problems with it, but you seem to have thought about this already, which shows that you are being serious when you consider this change. At the end of the day you know you can live without your car but it has to be a sacrifice you are willing to give.

I don't regret my change of career at all and feel it's possibly one of the best things I've ever done in my life. For me it wasn't a choice, it was the right thing to do and I knew it.

We can all be whatever we want to be, we just need the courage to take on the challenge to get there.

Take care and good luck.

Mary Said:

Change of career from psychology to FBI?

We Answered:

I had the same insight as you a long time ago. Go into the marketing research field - you might love it. They look for social science people like you or marketing majors who are quantitatively oriented and use statistical analysis social science software. You also might be involved in competitive intelligence projects when working for a marketing research company, which is similar in some ways to doing FBI research. You'll also get paid just as well as a clinical psychologist if you get a master's degree in marketing. Look at jobs listed at www.scip.org and www.quirks.com for some career ideas!

Chad Said:

I'm 32 years old and looking to make a career change into Clinical Psychology. Am I too old for this?

We Answered:

I would say no. But it's going to take some time. You will need to take some foundational psychology courses, if you haven't already and then the long slog through grad school. Don't expect to be finished before you turn 40. But within the field of clinical psychology there is definite benefit to having some maturity and life experience. Your age should be no detriment. Good luck!

Elaine Said:

Career change for psychology student?

We Answered:

There are few jobs in psychology that require less than a Master's Degree that I know of.
If you have a BA, try to find a job as a case manager or in the business dept. of your state department of Child and Family Services or Developmental Disabilities. At the very least, yo would qualify for a direct care position, which you may consider a low level job, but with overtime pay it can be financially and personally rewarding.
I would also switch from a psychology degree to a master's in social work degree and get an LCSW (licensed clinical social worker) is I were you; it is less demanding, less time to get a workable degree, and there are more jobs.

June Said:

Career change into Psychology?

We Answered:

Careers in psychology: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=car…

Becoming a psychologist: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Bec…

The British Psychological Society: http://www.bps.org.uk/careers/careers_ho…

There is no easy way to become a qualified psychologist.