Deep Dive into Careers in Psychology

Deep Dive into Psychology

When we talk about Psychology as a subject, many school and college students know what psychology is but probably they lack the idea on how they can use it in their career. Many of them still get confused while choosing Psychology as a profession and end up not taking it that seriously.

Well, according to statistics and data, Psychology is one subject that is going to be the ‘Career of the Century’. It is because the kind of world we are currently living in needs more and more listeners, more and more helpers, more and more people who can empathise with others, on a global level.

If you look at performance wise, the top two professions on a global scale are teaching and counselling. Whereas in India these two are hardly spoken about. Most of the eligible candidates enter into this profession with a big question mark, especially their parents face more struggle in encouraging their child to pursue Psychology. This is because for us Indians any profession is first all about money and second all about comfort. No doubt there are various psychological and societal reasons behind it. But Psychology can be one of the most career ful-filling paths.

##What kind of Qualification or Degrees are Required to enter in Psychology?

Well Psychology can be started pursuing from school level itself but most of the schools end up not bringing it on their curriculum. There is a huge confusion about it in our education and schooling system. Many schools take it as an Art subject whereas in reality it is a Humanity subject and can be pursued as any common subject like literature, Social science studies etc.

Liberal Arts is another gateway to explore Psychology as a subject just like Philosophy. During your Bachelor's degree you can explore Psychology along with subjects like English Literature, History, Geography, Economics, Political Science, Mass Communication etc.

When you are clear that you need to go with Psychology as your career then you can enter into Masters or what you call Post-Graduation.

To everyone’s knowledge some of the finest universities of India for Psychology are Delhi University, Christ University (Bengaluru), SNDT Mumbai, Sayajirao University in Vadodara, Mohanlal Sukhadia University Udaipur, NIMHANS in Bengaluru which is a public-private partnership run largest institute which is completely dedicated to Mental Health.

Once the students are done with the Post Graduation, then they need to make choices of whether they want to become a Psychologist or a Therapist.

##What is the Difference Between Psychologist and Psychotherapist?

Well the difference between these two lies in the role they play as professionals.

Psychologists are of different types, you can become a Counselling Psychologist, Child Psychologist, Clinical Psychologist, Educational/Career Psychologist or get yourself into Applied Psychology.

Whereas a Therapist or Psychotherapist is someone who is specially trained into a modality of Psychotherapy and treats people with the help of their technical therapy. Also do not get confused between a Clinical Psychologist and a Psychotherapist. A Clinical Psychologist is mainly into clinical diagnosis and prognosis of the mental health issue. And a Therapist or Psychotherapist is someone who works on the interventions or what we call in our language ‘treatment’.

##What Certification and or License is required to practice as a Psychologist?

After the completion of Masters or PhD, a Psychologist needs to get themselves certified and licensed from the Rehabilitation Council of India (RCI). RCI is the only governing body in India which has been allocating responsibilities by the central government to recognise and give the licence, especially to Clinical Psychologists.

According to the latest mental health bill which was passed in 2014 and has been revised again in 2018 clearly says that a Clinical Psychologist in India will be called as a ‘Behavioural Counsellor’.

To read more about Psychology as a Career Click This Link

##What are the Highest paying Jobs in Psychology?

Well Psychology as a profession is basically divided into four categories.

One is a Practicing Psychologist who takes any particular branch of Psychology, gets expertise in it and settles herself in it full time. And talking in terms of salary, an established Psychologist or Psychotherapist can make as much money as any expert Doctor in India would, sometimes more than them.

The second one is the ‘Teaching Profession’. You can complete your studies and get yourself into the conventional teaching job as a ‘Professor of Psychology’.

The third category is Research. The field is still unexplored and needs a lot of research, especially taking in consideration the times we are living in. The research also says that the next Pandemic we are going to witness will be ‘Mental Health’, in fact we are on that way already.

The fourth category is Industrial or corporate Psychologist. The industrial or corporate world has awakened on some level on the importance of Mental Health and hence they hire professionals of Psychology to play a vital role in running their organisation.

##What are the Fascinations of the Profession of Psychology?

Well, not just the profession of Psychology is fascinating but it also gives a lot of self worth and meaning to life. You are able to help and heal someone in dire need. You build the capability to listen to someone’s pain and grief and help them to get relief from it.

Although it takes time to establish yourself on a certain level but in the end everything becomes worth the wait. And being alive in the technological world and virtual realities who have taken over every human touch, technology can never really take over the genuineness of Human Emotions and that's the beauty of this profession.

About the Author

Purnima Gupta (Founder at Anahata Mental Health Clinic) Ms. Purnima Gupta is a Clinical Psychologist, Professor of Psychology, Trainer.

She holds dual postgraduate degrees in clinical psychology and psychotherapy. She started Anahata Mental Health Clinic more than a decade ago with a vision to make mental health services accessible to every individual. She is associated with a few universities where she takes lectures in psychology. Ms. Gupta has been associated with various schools and non-profit organisations as a mentor and trainer. Currently, she is an aspiring Jungian Analyst as a member of Ahmedabad Jung Centre (an affiliated body to International Association Analytical Psychology).

This post is created from a conversation with Ms. Purnima Gupta during a Webinar - Career Deep Dive - A Webinar on Careers in Psychology.

Post edited and recreated by Ms. Sagarika Patil - Career Journalist - Eduberance

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