Career paths

[Luz]

Hello everyone!

I would like to ask for your advise on career paths. I have a degree in Psychology and I just finished my MSc in research in psychology. I did my research on critical community psychology and arts for health. I enjoyed it very much and I am really interested in starting to gain work experience in the field, but I'm not sure where to start or what types of jobs I could look for... What key words should I use when looking for a job as community psychologist? I have looked on many different sites but it is not clear, at least for me... I believe I could either work as research assistant (after doing my MSc in research) or in community organisations, but in the latter, what kind of roles could I do? 

Your experiences and  advise will be greatly appreciated, as I am very confused!

Thanks!!

Luz. 

[Ian Patterson]

You have done well so far, Luz; and, well done for that! I wonder, though, what you like doing? Or, in other words, what interests you?

Kind regards

Ian Patterson

[Luz]

Hello Ian. I have to thank you greatly for asking me those questions, because it made me stop and think about what is it that I'm looking for.
I am interested in helping improve people's quality of life and to promote social justice. In Community Psychology, Arts for Health and migration. And I believe that what I want to do is to design and implement social projects in any of those areas. Any suggestions or advise to find a job that fits with that?
Many thanks again!

[Ian Patterson]

I wonder if it might help for you to decide if you want a job in which Psychology is 'useful' (eg as it might be in Social Work, or in HR, or in [say] a charity of some sort); or if you want to be a professional Psychologist, where your training so far is essential - but where it is, of course, also just a starting point, as you then need to embark on a post-graduate professional training to become a Chartered [and/or] Health and Care Professions Council [HCPC] Registered Practitioner.

The latter pathway take a minimum of 3 years - but you can earn while you're doing it, as you don't HAVE to follow yet another University course! There is what is called the Independent Route - and it may be you've not heard of it.

That's what I did, to become a Chartered Counselling Psychologist (there are other options), and earning my living while I did it. Since then, I've just 'bent' what I do to suit my interests and abilities (and I continue to do that...!).

I'm sure something like that could be tailored for you to follow the interest areas you described - if not immediately, then certainly, 'in due course'! It might also help to know that the Independent Route to professional qualification is essentially a 'pay as you go' pathway, too - so you're not actually paying massive fees 'up front'.

I wonder if any of the above might be of interest to you?

Kind regards

Ian

Luz said:

Hello Ian. I have to thank you greatly for asking me those questions, because it made me stop and think about what is it that I'm looking for.
I am interested in helping improve people's quality of life and to promote social justice. In Community Psychology, Arts for Health and migration. And I believe that what I want to do is to design and implement social projects in any of those areas. Any suggestions or advise to find a job that fits with that?
Many thanks again!