Any psychologists/counselors/psych majors here?

[windcatcher 0]

I am thinking about MAYBE considering switching my major to psychology. When I tell people what I crave to learn about, they tell me they think I am suited to be a psych major. I am not quite sure about it, especially since I would think one would have to go the grad level in order to get a decent job.
Can anybody give me insight, on studying psychology, or becoming a counselor?

Feel free to send me a pm too, thanks.
Sarah

Mother to the cutest little thing in the world...

[Vallerina 2]

One of my good friends was a psych major. She's had a really tough time finding a job, so she's a paralegal right now.

I thought about going into psychology because it fascinates me. However, it seems like if you want a good job in that field, you will need education beyond an undergrad.

There's a thin line between Saturday night and Sunday morning

[windcatcher 0]

Yeah, that is what I heard. I can't imagine too many good jobs out there, available for those who've only studied psychology for 2 years, instead of going on to a more specific area in psychology, in grad school. I suppose if I DO switch majors, I'd have to get my masters in order to do anything with my bachelor's degree.
I really have to weigh if I want to do more school after I graduate, or just start working so I can skydive and travel and have my family a few years from now

Mother to the cutest little thing in the world...

[Frenchy68 0]

Quote

I am thinking about MAYBE considering switching my major to psychology. When I tell people what I crave to learn about, they tell me they think I am suited to be a psych major. I am not quite sure about it, especially since I would think one would have to go the grad level in order to get a decent job.
Can anybody give me insight, on studying psychology, or becoming a counselor?

Feel free to send me a pm too, thanks.
Sarah

Are you sure your friends didn't say "You're suited to be a major psycho?"

"For once you have tasted Absinthe you will walk the earth with your eyes turned towards the gutter, for there you have been and there you will long to return."

[Shotgun 1]

So... What is it that you crave to learn about?

[windcatcher 0]

Hahaha, very funny Frenchy

Shotgun, I love learning about how to help people understand one another better, how to have better communication; emotional intelligence, personality differences; how to help people become a better spouse, parent, friend,etc; I just looooooove learning about people and how they have relationships with one another. I would love to somehow play a part, in teaching people how to have better conflict resolution, how to be more open and loving,etc.To me, helping someone give and receive love would be a cool job

Mother to the cutest little thing in the world...

[Shotgun 1]

I see... Well, if you don't want to spend so much time in school, maybe you could become a licensed social worker or something like that? Or I think there are some counseling-type things that you could do that don't require so much education... and they're usually the ones who work a lot closer with people than someone with a PhD probably would. Though if you have the time to get a higher degree, it would probably give you a lot more options (and more $)...

I'm interested in psychology too... but only because I want to be able to experiment with other people's brains.

[Lindsey 0]

I was a social worker before going to medical school, and my undergraduate degree was in psychology. I worked for OGC up in your area for a while. It's really tough to make a living with just a bachelor's in psychology. Unless you're pretty resourceful, it's wise to consider furthering your education.

Peace~
linz

--
A conservative is just a liberal who's been mugged. A liberal is just a conservative who's been to jail

[hemphog 0]

I was a bio guy until I got sucked up by psyc. I'm in my 5th year as an undergrad and I love to learn how people work mentally and what the connection it is to the actual mechanics in the brain. I love seeing what actually causes schizophrenia, bipolar, depression, all types of drugs or addictions (skydiving!?) and just everything weird that people do.

It's an awesome subject but my advice to you would be this. A lot of people are interested in psyc and take it in school, only to find they can't get much of a job with it. You will probably have to specialize in a topic, meaning grad school, even onto a doctorate or post-doc. Don't follow a traditional route, find what it is that REALLY turns you on and learn everything you can about it. Work isn't work when you really enjoy what you're doing.

Good luck with it all!!

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"Ya we'll rape the local objects, and maybe do some jumps too!"

[nate_1979 9]

psychology rocks, my favorite classes have been psychology... Go for it

[CloudOnMyTongue 0]

I graduated school with a psych major. I really enjoyed school, but everyone is right about the career thing. If you want a career in pysch you need to do further education or get a career outside of the psych.
It does really help you understand people.

You should really do what makes you happy.

[skycat 0]

I minored in psych because while I really loved the classes I knew I wasn't going to get my doctorate and since math was my second love opted to major in EE. What I have discovered especially now that I'm in a management roll rather than an engineer roll is that my using what I learned in psych more than what I learned in my EE classes. Every meeting I'm in I have to read the other participants and judge how to push the needs of my department whether it’s stepping on toes or making them think my request was their idea. I also find myself being the level headed one when the testosterone in the room reaches critical mass bring everyone back down to earth and letting the boys walk away with only slightly bruised egos rather than the bloody ones they would have left the room with.

So whatever major you decide keep a foot in the psych door cause it will help in any career you are in.

Fly it like you stole it!

[skybill 22]

Hi W-C,
Yup, I was a "Psych" major!! (sounds like a title to a "B" movie! Any way, if you feel like that would be your groove, "Go for it!!" You can contribute much to the social consciousness of the universe as we know it!! Hopefully,you may hit on some deep unknown truth that can help us all!! Please keep us posted on your future endeavours. Just keep skydivin' !! Skydiving Psych majors are a breed unto themselves!!!!! When I went to San Diego State back in the early 70's, it was one thing to be a "Psych major," but when someone found out I was a Skydiver too, they woulld just walk away, slowly shaking their head from side to side!!!! .....I kid you not!!!!!!!!!

SCR-2034, SCS-680

III%,
Deli-out

[wilmshurst 0]

What does post-doc 'look' like? Or are you just referring to an academic 'title' like professor??

The only thing worse than a cold toilet seat is a warm toilet seat.

[Guest]

Quote

What does post-doc 'look' like? Or are you just referring to an academic 'title' like professor??

[raises hand, tells teacher "I know! I know!"]

post-doc i.e. post-doctorate that is, study after being awarded a doctorate degree (Phd or Dr.)

You can have it good, fast, or cheap: pick two.