A few quick tips for choosing a psychology major may benefit the potential student. If a person has always had a particular leaning toward an area in this field, it may be one of the easier choices to be made. But many times, a student is confounded by all the different divisions in the field, and may have a hard time deciding which direction to go (Wade & Tavris, 2003).
One look at the number of divisions available for specialization in the American Psychological Association’s listings will show the broad range of studies in which a student may be interested. There are a few things to consider that can be helpful in narrowing down the field to a manageable size:
* What is your personality?
* How do you see yourself using your education in the future?
* Where would you be most comfortable?
* How much education can you afford?
* What is your level of commitment?
What is your personality?
If you are the kind of person who, like most potential students of psychology, says “I just want to know what makes people tick,” you may be interested in counseling psychology or general psychology. These are areas where you may find ways to put your empathy to use. If you are a compassionate and warm person with good people skills, general counseling may be right for you. A good match based on your personality traits and characteristics can often be achieved this way. However, if you lean more toward being analytical and methodical and enjoy numbers and forumulas, perhaps statiistical research would suit you.
How do you see yourself using your education in the future?
Do you see yourself in a clinical setting, a workplace situation, or in a school setting, perhaps? Are you going to be a psychologist full-time, or combine another kind of work with your training? For example, a church administrator may rely heavily on his or her psychological training, but the main focus will be work in church administration. Look at the possibilities that would most appeal to you and what you already do.
Where would you be most comfortable?
Any of the settings mentioned above may help you decide where you would find fulfillment and make you most comfortable once your education has reached a certain level. It may be that you could most easily see yourself content in your own private practice. If that is the case, a number of areas in psychology would be suitable. Marriage counseling, children’s counseling, individual counseling, and other therapies may appeal to you and suit your plans.
How much education can you afford?
Some types of psychology-related work still require only a bachelor’s degree, but many more demand at least a master’s. To be in private practice in most states, a Ph.D is necessary. The amount of time, effort, and money you are able to commit to your education will be critical factors in deciding to move into post-graduate education to acquire higher degrees. This may be a decision-maker for the beginning student in psychology. (It helps to look at positions that are available in your region and across the country to see what is required for particular positions. Can you envision yourself relocating for a job later on?)
What is your level of commitment?
Are you willing to work hard for little compensation at first? If you are considering kicking your training up a notch and looking at the field of psychiatry, you will be working in medicine as well as in psychology and the commitment level will have to be significant. If you are happy with psychological studies and one of a vast assortment of positions here, you will still be investing a huge amount of time, energy, and money. If you are committed enough to putting in the hard work even before you have a career (and during your career) then you are suited to study and work in the field of psychology. Critical thinking is one of the basic and most important skills you will master along the way, and you will have to use this ability in choosing a psychology major and its world of possibilities.
Wade, C. & Tavris, C. (2003). Psychology. (7th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Custom Publishing.
