Careers in Psychology: Opportunities in a Changing World, Fifth Edition
Tara L. Kuther and Robert D. Morgan
Contents
Preface xv
Acknowledgments xix
About the Authors xx
PART I • MAKING DECISIONS ABOUT PSYCHOLOGY 1
Chapter 1 • Choosing a Major 2
What Is Psychology? 3
Careers in Psychology With Bachelor’s,
Master’s, and Doctoral Degrees 4
Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology 4
Master’s Degree in Psychology 6
Doctoral Degree in Psychology 6
Why Major in Psychology? 7
Obtain Transferable Skills 7
Develop Psychological Literacy 9
Careers for Psychology Majors 10
Understand Yourself and Choose a Major via Self-Assessment 13
Identify Your Skills 13
Identify Your Values 14
Identify Your Occupational Interests 18
Use Career Assessment Tools 21
How to Choose a Major 24
Follow Basic Rules for Choosing a Major and Career 24
Learn About Your Options 25
Seek Information From Students, Graduates, and Professors 26
Is a Psychology Major for You? 27
Checklist 1.1: Is Psychology for You? 28
Exercise 1.1: Using O*NET and the Occupational Outlook Handbook
to Identify Careers 29
Suggested Reading 29
Resources 30
Chapter 2 • Majoring in Psychology and
Preparing for Your Career 31
Psychological Literacy and Your Career 32
Psychology Curricula 33
American Psychological Association Goals for Psychology Education 33
Psychology Coursework 34
Research Experience in Psychology 35
Get to Know Professors 36
Benefits of Obtaining Research Experience 37
How to Obtain Research Experience 38
What to Expect as a Research Assistant 38
Seek Opportunities for Independent Study 39
Internship Experiences for Psychology Students 40
What Does an Internship Entail? 40
Benefits of Internships 40
How to Find an Internship 41
Round Out Your Education 42
Participate in Extracurricular Activities 42
Take Classes or a Minor in Another Discipline 43
Get Work Experience 43
Exercise 2.1: Developing Skills and Acquiring Experiences 44
Suggested Reading 45
Resources 46
PART II • PRACTICE-ORIENTED FIELDS IN PSYCHOLOGY 47
Chapter 3 • Clinical and Counseling Psychology 48
Clinical Psychology 49
Counseling Psychology 50
Other Mental Health Professions 50
Opportunities With a Bachelor’s Degree 52
Human Services Worker 52
Social Worker 53
Substance Abuse Counselor 53
Opportunities With a Graduate Degree 56
Graduate Education and Training Considerations 58
Practice 62
Program Development and Evaluation 63
Administration 63
Checklist 3.1: Is Clinical or Counseling Psychology for You? 64
Exercise 3.1: Learning About Clinical and Counseling Psychology 65
Suggested Reading 66
Resources 66
Chapter 4 • School Psychology 67
School Psychology 67
Opportunities With a Bachelor’s Degree 68
Teacher 68
Childcare Worker 69
Teaching Assistant 70
Early Childhood Behavior Specialist 73
Opportunities With a Graduate Degree 73
School Psychologist 75
School Counselor 78
Checklist 4.1: Is School Psychology for You? 79
Exercise 4.1: Learning About School Psychology 80
Suggested Reading 80
Resources 81
Chapter 5 • Legal and Forensic Psychology 82
Legal and Forensic Psychology 83
Opportunities With a Bachelor’s Degree 84
Police Officer 84
Correctional Officer 85
Juvenile Detention Worker 86
Probation and Parole Officer 86
Forensic Interviewer 87
Opportunities With a Graduate Degree 87
Correctional Psychology 87
Forensic Examiner 90
Police Psychology 94
Trial Consultant 94
Politics and Public Policy 95
Checklist 5.1: Is Legal or Forensic Psychology for You? 96
Exercise 5.1: Learning About Legal and Forensic Psychology 97
Suggested Reading 98
Resources 99
Chapter 6 • Health Psychology 100
Health Psychology 101
Opportunities With a Bachelor’s Degree 101
Recreational Therapist 101
Occupational Therapy Assistant 102
Physical Therapy Assistant 103
Health Educator 104
Opportunities With a Graduate Degree 105
Academic and Research Settings 105
Service Delivery Settings 107
Public Health Settings 110
Checklist 6.1: Is Health Psychology for You? 111
Exercise 6.1: Learning About Health Psychology 112
Suggested Reading 112
Resources 113
Chapter 7 • Sport Psychology 114
Sport Psychology 115
Opportunities With a Bachelor’s Degree 115
Fitness Instructor, Recreation Worker, and Recreation Supervisor 116
Sport Instructors and Coaches 117
Physical Education Teacher 120
Athletic Trainer 120
Sport Reporter 121
Career as a Sport Psychologist 121
Academic and Research Settings 123
Practice Settings 123
Checklist 7.1: Is Sport Psychology for You? 124
Exercise 7.1: Learning About Sport Psychology 125
Suggested Reading 126
Resources 126
PART III • RESEARCH AND APPLIED
RESEARCH FIELDS IN PSYCHOLOGY 129
Chapter 8 • Biopsychology, Cognitive Neuropsychology,
and Clinical Neuropsychology 130
Biopsychology, Cognitive Neuropsychology, and Clinical
Neuropsychology 131
Opportunities With a Bachelor’s Degree 132
Science Technician 132
Psychiatric Technician 133
Medical or Clinical Laboratory Technologist and Technician 134
Pharmacy Technician 134
Opportunities With a Graduate Degree 135
Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Research 137
Practice 137
Checklist 8.1: Is Biopsychology, Clinical Neuropsychology, or
Cognitive Neuropsychology for You? 139
Exercise 8.1: Learning About Biopsychology, Cognitive
Neuropsychology, and Clinical Neuropsychology 140
Suggested Reading 141
Resources 141
Chapter 9 • Industrial-Organizational Psychology, Cognitive
Psychology, and Human Factors Psychology 143
Industrial-Organizational Psychology 144
Cognitive Psychology 145
Human Factors Psychology 145
Opportunities With a Bachelor’s Degree 146
Human Resources 146
Commercial or Industrial Design Assistant 148
Administrative Assistant and Administrative Services Manager 151
Manager or Project Manager 152
User Experience Strategist 153
Opportunities With a Graduate Degree 153
Human Resources Professional 153
Consultant 156
Usability Specialist 158
Design Psychologist/Environmental Designer 158
Checklist 9.1: Is Industrial-Organizational Psychology, Cognitive
Psychology, or Human Factors Psychology for You? 160
Exercise 9.1: Learning About Industrial-Organizational,
Cognitive, and Human Factors Psychology 161
Suggested Reading 162
Resources 162
Chapter 10 • Experimental and Quantitative Psychology 164
Experimental Psychology 165
Quantitative Psychology 165
Opportunities With a Bachelor’s Degree 166
Underwriter 166
Computer Programmer, Software Developer, and Web Developer 167
Computer Support Specialist 168
Budget Analyst 168
Behavior Technician and Assistant Behavior Analyst 169
Opportunities With a Graduate Degree 170
Board Certified Behavior Analyst 170
Operations Research Analyst 175
Systems Analyst and Systems Architect 176
Data Architect and Database Administrator 177
Actuary 177
Financial Analyst 178
Checklist 10.1: Is Experimental or Quantitative Psychology for You? 179
Exercise 10.1: Learning About Experimental and
Quantitative Psychology 180
Suggested Reading 181
Resources 182
Chapter 11 • Social and Consumer Psychology 183
Social Psychology 184
Consumer Psychology 184
Opportunities With a Bachelor’s Degree 185
Advertising 185
Real Estate 186
Public Relations Specialist 187
Social Media Coordinator and Social Media Strategist 190
Opportunities With a Graduate Degree 190
Marketing 192
Advertising, Public Relations, and Sales Management 193
Data Mining 194
Checklist 11.1: Is Social or Consumer Psychology for You? 195
Exercise 11.1: Learning About Social and
Consumer Psychology 196
Suggested Reading 197
Resources 197
Chapter 12 • Developmental Psychology 198
Developmental Psychology 199
Opportunities With a Bachelor’s Degree 199
Gerontology Service Coordinator 200
Child Life Specialist 200
Student Activities Director or Director of Student Services 201
Program Assistant, Coordinator, and Director 203
Fundraising Assistant and Coordinator, Development
Coordinator, and Fundraising Manager 204
Opportunities With a Graduate Degree 205
Grant Director 205
Foundation Director 208
Developmental Consultant to Products and Media 208
User Experience Designer and User Interface Designer 209
Applied Developmental Psychologist 210
Checklist 12.1: Is Developmental Psychology for You? 211
Exercise 12.1: Learning About Developmental Psychology 212
Suggested Reading 213
Resources 214
PART IV • PREPARING FOR THE FUTURE 215
Chapter 13 • Getting a Job With Your Bachelor’s Degree 216
What Do Employers Seek? 217
Social Media and Your Job Hunt 218
Clean Your Social Media Accounts 219
Cultivate Your Digital Profile 220
Locate Job Openings 220
Where to Look 221
Use Your Network 221
Prepare a Résumé 221
Parts of the Résumé 222
Types of Résumés 223
Prepare a LinkedIn Profile 228
Solicit References 231
Write a Cover Letter 231
Ace the Interview 232
Preparation 233
Dress Appropriately 235
During the Interview 236
Thank-You Note 237
The Job Offer 237
Exercise 13.1: Résumé Preparation 238
Suggested Reading 238
Resources 239
Chapter 14 • Graduate-Level Careers in Psychology 240
Psychologists as Professors 241
What Professors Do 241
Training 242
Evaluating Careers as Professors 243
Psychologists as Researchers 244
Research Careers in Academia 244
Research Careers in Industry 245
Research Careers in Government 246
Research Careers in Social Service Agencies, Nonprofits, and Think Tanks 247
Publishing and Writing 248
Careers in Publishing 248
Writer 250
Checklist 14.1: Is a Graduate Career in Psychology for You? 252
Exercise 14.1: Interesting Careers in Psychological Science 252
Suggested Reading 253
Resources 254
Chapter 15 • Getting Into Graduate School in Psychology 255
Is Graduate School Right for You? 256
Can You Afford Graduate Study? 256
Are You Prepared for the Personal Demands of Graduate Study? 257
Plan Ahead for Graduate School 258
Degrees in Psychology: MA, PhD, and PsyD 259
Master’s Degree 259
Doctoral Degrees 260
Selecting Graduate Programs 262
The Application 263
Graduate Record Exam: General Test 263
GRE Psychology Test 267
Admissions Essays 268
Curriculum Vitae 270
Letters of Recommendation 272
Interview 274
Interview Prep 274
Skype Interviews 274
Checklist 15.1: Is Graduate School for You? 277
Exercise 15.1: Your Personal Timeline for Applying to
Graduate School 278
Suggested Reading 279
Resources 279
References 281
Index 287