January 16th, 2015

GLC2O

CAREERS SUMMATIVE: PSYCHOLOGIST

For my careers summative, I have chosen to report the job of a Psychologist.
Job Description/ Job Duties
A psychologist studies how humans think, feel and behave from a scientific viewpoint. They apply this knowledge to help people understand, change and explain their behaviour. Psychologists study people’s feelings and thoughts and use this information to help patients function better in their day-to-day lives.
For my report I chose to report this career choice because I am very interested in the science behind disorders and illness’. I also enjoy comprehending the reasons behind people’s actions. Lastly, I get an indescribable feeling from helping people conquer battles in their lives and I believe there is no other job that could accommodate all three reasons why I’ve selected the job of a psychologist.
Education and Training
To become a psychologist, you must take university courses. At the University of Toronto, for the major program in psychology, in your first year level you MUST take Introductory Psychology. In higher years, students must obtain 6.5 credits in psychology and 2.0 at the 300/400 level.
The required high school courses for admission into post-secondary psychology at the University of Toronto is Grade 12 biology (4U) and advanced functions. It takes 6 years to acquire the Master’s Degree in psychology and 10 years to acquire the PHD Degree. The total cost to acquire the master’s degree is roughly $40,000.
Specialized Skills
Since psychologists are working with mentally unstable people it is very important for them to be emotionally conscious of the meaning behind what they are saying. I feel that I am always aware of what I am saying to people, I developed this skill from one of my many days babysitting children.
Psychologists must also be able to give quick critical thoughts in urgent situations. I believe that in crucial times is when I give my best opinions/advice to people; I picked up this ability at school in drama class.
Lastly, it is extremely important for psychologists not to look at problems from a one sided view but to explore all angles of a situation. I would consider myself very open-minded; I have developed this particular skill when my friends began to come to me when they needed a different outlook on circumstances that needed an unbiased perspective.

Wages/Income
Generally, a psychologist’s salary ranges between 100-200 thousand dollars a year. With these earnings I would be more than able to support the lifestyle that I have been hoping to enjoy one day.
Working Conditions
There are many different types of psychologists, clinical, research, counselling and neuropsychologists are just 4 of them. Clinical, counselling and neuropsychologists are usually employed by institutions or agencies such as hospitals or schools. These psychologists typically work regular office hours. Psychologists are able to open their own private offices and set their own hours but work evenings and weekends. Psychologists often have high levels of stress due to heavy workloads and tight scheduling. Although treating clients is very rewarding it is emotionally and psychically draining. Psychologists also travel a lot to attend conferences and workshops to learn new things about their growing field.
Personal Reflection
After all my research I am more interested in this occupation that I was when I first chose it. Although the time spent in school may be lengthy I believe that the job itself is more than rewarding. The income is more than I ever could have imagined. You get to work from locations that have multiple other things going on which I think is amazing.
I believe my interest and values are suitable for this particular occupation because I know there is absolutely nothing in this world I do better or enjoy than to help someone move on through a difficult time in their life and with a job like this, I wouldn’t be working a day in my life because I’d be doing something I loved.
Career Studies Course Reflection
The last 3 activities I found helpful and useful in my personal career development were the How Smart Am I- Multiple Intelligences booklet, the Who Am I assignment and the Colour activity.
I think the knowledge I gained about myself in Career Studies will help me to determine my future educational and career plans more than I thought at the beginning of the year. I now know that I don’t necessarily need to go into a field where science and providing checkups and surgeries is the only way to help people. Also I have come to terms with the fact that I need to choose something that I want to do for the rest of my life sooner rather than later which this course has helped me to do. I now have 3 careers in mind that I am considering going into thanks to the knowledge that career studies has provided me with.