what are the pros and cons to psychology as a career?

[tcsenter]

thanks tcsenter. how does the amount of schooling and pay differ between psychologists and psychiatrists?

A Ph.D. psychologist will be in school or clinical training nearly as long as a psychiatrist. Otherwise, a Masters and one year of clinical experience will suffice for a licensed psychologist in most states.

As far as salary differences, I can't say. It would depend on a number of factors; private practice vs. institutional staff, public vs. private sector, teaching vs. research, etc. As with real estate: location location location.

Edited because of a misunderstanding on my part.

 

[amnesiac]

Psychology doesn't pay crap unless you have an advanced degree, preferably a Ph.D.

Licensed psychologists don't make nearly as much as their MD psychiatrist friends do. However, in certain states (Arizona or New Mexico I think), the lack of psychiatrists has spurred lawmakers into allowing psychologists to prescribe a limited amount of medication.

Personally, I just use my BA in psych as practical application, as I'm in financial consulting. Most people I know who graduated with the same degree don't use it directly, but rather apply common principles to their work in associating with other people. It's a hell of a lot more versatile and useful in most cases than a lot of other degrees.

If you want to help people, go all the way and become a shrink, or go into social services.

 

[NoReMoRsE]

The school psychologist at my primary school in the 1980s was racist. Ever since that traumatic experience I've been wary among psychologists/psychiatrists.

 

[thirtythree]

Originally posted by: NoReMoRsE
The school psychologist at my primary school in the 1980s was racist. Ever since that traumatic experience I've been wary among psychologists/psychiatrists.

hmm. what does him or her being racist have to do with him or her being a psychologist?

 

[NoReMoRsE]

Originally posted by: Deslocke

Originally posted by: NoReMoRsE The school psychologist at my primary school in the 1980s was racist. Ever since that traumatic experience I've been wary among psychologists/psychiatrists.

hmm. what does him or her being racist have to do with him or her being a psychologist?

Racism affects his/her judgement of people's mental abilities. In my case he/she already had a bias that since I was a minority, I couldn't have passed any of the intelligence tests; I must have cheated. Being told you are a cheat at a very young age is traumatic; as a psychologist, he/she should have known better.

 

[Demon-Xanth]

I've heard that psycologists have a higher suicide rate than other careers.

 

[Nightfall]

I was a Psychology major at one point in time. After a year, I really didn't like the idea of not making any money and working for some egghead professor as an intern for a few years. Tons of schooling also didn't appeal to me. I changed my major to Computer Information Systems and I haven't regretted it.

If you are going to go after a Psychology degree, make sure you go all the way. Get your PhD and work your ass off. The pay is great and so are the rewards according to a friend of mine who is a Psychologist.

 

[LAUST]

People who think they know people

 

[thirtythree]

Originally posted by: LAUST
People who think they know people

huh?

Nightfall: did you like the major other than all the schooling required before getting a good paying job?