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Jurnee Richardson

Mr. Taylor

Honors English II

21 February 2019

Psychology Career

Psychology, the study of mental processes and behaviors. The first interest in psychology

for me dates back to middle school, learning about World War II. This time period in history

caught my attention, because how could someone turn an entire country against and kill a racial

group for no reason. Studying Hitler’s and other mentally ill people in the world, is what I would

like to explore more into as my future career.

My biggest detail in psychology, would be the working conditions. Most psychologist are

like their own bosses, meaning they work for the needs of their patients and are not trying to

satisfy a higher supervisor. This is beneficial because the goal of the job is to help people with a

high stress life in a low stress environment. Since most of this work involves a patient , about

60% of your day is being spent with another person(s). Another bonus of becoming a

psychologist is that work hours are typically on 48 hours a week but can be easily adjusted (

Choosing a career in psychiatry, February 18, 2019 ). These working conditions are easily

manageable and are important while looking for careers.

Psychologists need lots of training in college, which results in anywhere from 6-12 years

of studies. There are many levels of having a psychology degree, such as a regular psychologist

title, and Ph.D. The lowest level is your master degree, also known as your Psy.D, with only

being able to apply the title of a psychologist but usually do not get a well paid or even

psychology related jobs. Having a Psy.D, people are usually working in clinics under direct
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attention. Next the Ph.D, 8 years, is the most common highest study in psychology. With a Ph.D

there are jobs in medicine, clinics, university studies / teachings, private practice, etc. (Kendra

Cherry, Psychology training, January 24, 2019) Most people want to have their Phd because

there are better opportunities for jobs and further studies. Since psychology is highly based on

the research and application of the human brain for mental health it is only right to have lots of

training.

As of 2018, the average salary for a psychiatrist with a Ph.D is about $260,536 a year,

which is also $103 an hour! Since year 2011, the annual average has increased by $123,876,

huge increase for 7 years in the same career. But why ? Psychology is becoming a more

advanced career now that we are learning more and more about the brain and human behaviors.

Obviously as a first year psychologist, straight out of college the income will not be $260,536

but probably anywhere from $80-110,000 a year. Obviously years of experience, jobs and

location can tie into your pay but this is the ultimate average goal for a psychologist.

In conclusion psychologist have many positives that relate to the job and negatives but

help for the greater good. More benefits of this career are, always having another perspective on

life, critical thinking, and exploring your and others thought processes and behaviors. This

career will always leave me curious and learning more to help people which is the main goal in

life.
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Works Cited

Highest Paying Psychology Careers, www.careerprofiles.info/highest-paying-psychology-

careers.html.

Warning Signs of Mental Illness, www.psychiatry.org/residents-medical-students/medical-

students/choosing-a-career-in-psychiatry.

Cherry, Kendra. “What Kind of Training Do You Need to Be a Psychologist?” Verywell Mind,

Dotdash, www.verywellmind.com/training-for-psychologists-2794931.