I'm a senoir psych major. I have a 3.8 GPA and never got below a "B" in any class. I'm a member of a psychology honor society and I am very interested in psychology, particularly in therapy and diagnostics, and I just think a lot about people and why they do the things they do.
The problem is that I've never liked any of my psychology related jobs or internships. I've been a research assistant on two different projects, a teacher aide, and I just finished an internship focused around addiction counseling, and I haven't liked any of them. I found them to be either boring, annoying or depressing. I've been applying to grad schools and I'll probably be accepted to a few just because of my good grades and stuff. But I am seriously doubting if I should pursue psychology long term. I'm also interested in being a writer. I've just finished a novel and a couple short stories and was thinking of pursuing that instead. What do you think I should do?
If you read all this, Thanks.
2007-01-24 16:30:54 · 7 answers · asked by Subconsciousless 7 in Social Science ➔ Psychology
A novel and short stories? About what? Sounds like "maybe" you chose the wrong major. I would have thought you'd be doing studies (psychology or sociology related) and writing about that instead.
You ask about grad school, and that's super expensive. Do you think grad school will get you where you want to go? Where is it really that you want to go. Ok, say you wrote 10 books, then what? Do you plan to do seminars then and start a mlm or what? Do you plan to advertise your books thru talk shows? What exactly is your plan? Without a plan you can't fullfill a plan. I mean like if there's nothing at the end of that street then why go down it. You need a plan.
Or, find out what other areas your degree can take you into. Do you like personnel, maybe be a HR director? Maybe having your own business? Maybe writing psychological tests? Maybe mixing psychology with marketing? Maybe you just don't know what else is out there for you.
Of course people should pursue what they enjoy doing.
But think back...why did you get a psych degree? What were your plans back then? What went wrong? And, if you plan to take more schooling do you have the money to do so? And what goal is at the end to be able to pay back those loans. All I'm saying is that you're going down another road that has no light at the end. You need to learn some goal setting with an end result.
2007-01-24 16:45:08 · answer #1 · answered by sophieb 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A metaphor: say you like steak. Grad school is like eating 50 T-bones at each meal for 4-7 years. It's draining enough even if you love being a grad student. However, if you're not that interested in doing research (was your lack of interest due to the topics being studied, or the overall process?) or counseling, you would probably be setting yourself up for failure, or at best, utter misery.
If you're more concerned with doing what you love than getting a nice, fat paycheck (which isn't guaranteed with a graduate psych degree anyway), I'd say pursue your writing interests.
2007-01-25 16:45:36 · answer #2 · answered by phaedra 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, jobs dealing with people - epecially troubled people - can indeed be " boring, annoying or depressing' for some. All I can envision for you is experimental psychology. You might be into it: of course I don't know what about the field interests you. If you are interested in experimental psyche you of course MUST get a doctorate. When I was in uni I learned it was all about momentum: once you stop , beginning anew is always huge pain in the A-S-S. So, you may wish to go to grad school and just keep up the momentum.
If you are into behaviorism and like animals you may also look into animal trainer. This field is becoming huge. There are private college-level programmes on offer at (I believe) more than one institution in California. Snoop around on the American Zoo Association website. You don't need an MA or MSc (depending) to get into animal training of course. You do, however, really need to be 'into' behaviorism. One university professor who 'sidelines' in critter training is Dr. Susan Friedman. Did I miss anything? Oh yes...GOOD LUCK!
2007-01-24 16:45:29 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
You should investigate the different specialities within the field. Possibly school psychology or forensic psychology. Both intriguing fields that require lots of writing. I am a therapist but do little therapy. I primarily do assessments. I find therapy boring, but enjoy the assessments and report writing. I also testify in court often...making things much more interesting. I especially HATE addictions therapy, so there is hope for you!
Good luck!
2007-01-24 16:39:12 · answer #4 · answered by Dr. T 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I feel the same way. I love psychology but wasn't sure if I would use it. I decided to get a human service management degree. It is a little more broad. It includes education, behaviors, finance, and management skills. That way if I change my mind its more open to other professions. If I were you I would try to experiment a little more with other careers since you haven't been happy yet. Just remember people change their minds all the time. A lot of people have degrees that have nothing to do with their current job. Try to pick something you will be happy doing it makes everything a little smoother.
2007-01-24 16:45:26 · answer #5 · answered by walg2000 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you want to be a psychologist, you have to do a PhD. If you just want to practice psychology in other fields, like consulting, then a master is sufficent.
2016-05-24 06:33:51 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
go to grad school, you'll have a job if writing does not work out.
2007-01-24 16:46:21 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋