While there are a plethora of interesting and professionally rewarding vocational paths an individual could opt to pursue, opting to work within the psychology sector can offer unique benefits. In order to become the most marketable job candidate possible, many aspiring psychology students decide to obtain a Master’s degree in psychology. If you have thought about doing this, you have probably asked yourself an important question at some point: Is the future promising for those obtaining a Master’s degree in Psychology? By reading the information listed below, you can obtain an answer to this question and several others that pertain to the field of psychology.
Although broadly defined, psychology is basically a field that operates as an academic and applied field through which the human mind and behavior are studied. In discussing the field of psychology, writer Kendra Cherry notes that “Research in psychology seeks to understand and explain how we think, act and feel.” She goes on to point out that the field of psychology is far-reaching in scope, covering fields including but not limited to ergonomics, productivity, self-help, motivation, performance enhancement, and mental health issues.
Job Outlook For Individuals With Master’s Degrees In Psychology
If you’re wondering whether the future is promising for people who opt to obtain a Master’s degree in psychology, you should note that the answer is contingent upon several factors such as job location, education, experience, and specialization. Specialization is a subject you should pay attention to as it can affect your likelihood of being hired. For example, individuals who opt to obtain a Master’s in Clinical Psychology are able to provide psychological assessments and psychotherapy while being supervised by a licensed clinical psychologist. If these positions are in high demand in your local area, this vocational path may be appropriate or ideal for you. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, job opportunities are greatest for students who obtain a graduate degree in an applied psychology field like forensic psychology or industrial-organizational psychology. In addition to offering students the ability to work within their field of specialty, earning this type of degree affords students the opportunity to obtain teaching positions at the university or college level.
One job opportunity you might want to consider pursuing once you’ve obtained your Master’s in psychology is that of a Mental Health Counselor. Individuals who hold this title earn on average $41,500 annually. Moreover, the job outlook for this position is 29%, which is must faster than the national average.
Opportunities With The Government
Individuals who obtain a Master’s degree in psychology should note that there are oftentimes opportunities to gain employment through government positions. Some of these positions offer competitive pay and have strong job outlooks. For example, an individual could become employed as a rehabilitation counselor for the government and earn $33,880 per year. The job outlook for this position is great. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that employment for rehabilitation counselors is expected to grow 20% between the years of 2012 and 2022, which is faster than the national average for all vocations. Some other government jobs that an individual with a Master’s degree in psychology might consider applying for include:
•Self-reliance specialist
•Vocational rehabilitation provider
•Developmental specialist
•Employment counselor
•Drug and alcohol specialist
•Human resources analyst
•Social service manager
•Psychology program manager
Conclusion
If you are thinking about obtaining a Master’s degree in psychology, you should know that doing so can be a personally and professionally rewarding endeavor. In order to ensure that you get the most out of your educational attainment, be sure you go in recognizing which type of position you plan to apply for while understanding what the job outlook and expected salary will be. Good luck!
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