Interesting and unique careers in psychology

1: Psychiatrist They are medics working with mental disorders who can prescribe medication and employ psychotherapy. It requires immense time and effort but the industry experiences steady growth annually and offers six-figure salaries. 2: Private Practice Clinical Therapists They run their businesses out of home offices and independently practice therapeutic techniques to treat clients. To enter into such a practice, one has to earn a bachelor’s and pursue a master’s degree in clinical therapy. One can pursue a doctorate as the success of a private practice hinges on accolades of practitioners. 3: Industrial-Organizational Psychologist They are human efficiency experts working with companies to keep employees efficient and healthy. The majority of industrial-organizational psychologists enter their careers with a master’s in I/O psychology, but salaries increase substantially with doctoral education. It’s one of the most stable and expanding careers on this list. 4: Neuropsychologist They study cognitive science. Neuropsychology is more lucrative at the doctorate level, where neuropsychologists perform cognitive tests, study how drugs impact the nervous system and consult victims of brain injuries. 5: Clinical Psychologist It’s the single largest employment area in Psychology. The high-paying jobs in this industry require doctorate study in clinical psychology and are highly competitive. Most programs require a 1 year internship. The sheer scale of clinical psychology makes it a great career option. 6: Engineering Psychologist Engineering psychologists use human psychology to improve technology. A relatively new industry, its growth exceeds the number of engineering psychologists, so it’s a great option for those looking to meld psychology and technology. The typical requirement is a master’s in engineering psychology. 7: Correctional Facility Psychologist They conduct assessments and therapeutic sessions with inmates in correctional facilities. Although stressful and potentially dangerous, its employers offer a higher salary in compensation and competition is less. 8: Military Psychologist People who have served in the armed forces can experience trauma requiring therapeutic treatment. Military psychologists are government-employed psychologists who specialize in dealing with soldiers. The demand for military psychologists is on the rise due to more research in the area. 9: Corporate Manager When considering careers with a psych degree, businesses don't come to mind. However, a psychology background is great preparation for corporate work. Corporate managers with psychology degrees can direct employees more efficiently. While there’s little data on the specific salaries, corporate managers report six-figure salaries and up. 10: Administrative Hospital Psychologist As integrated healthcare models become more accepted in the mainstream, psychologists are being brought into primary care facilities. Administrative hospital psychologists oversee and manage the psychologists stationed in a hospital. 11: Forensic Psychologist Forensic Psychology is probably one of the fastest growing careers in psychology due to its glamorous portrayal in the media, but the job is also associated with high-stress. Forensic psychologists use their skills to settle child custody disputes, child abuse accusations, and other legal disputes in need of a psychological perspective. 12: Teaching Psychologist Many psychologists use their skills and education to teach new generations of psychologists. The most lucrative option is to seek a professorship at a university. This requires extensive experience and at least a master’s degree though most universities will require doctoral degrees. 13: Genetics Counselor Often called a “job of the future”, genetics counseling is a new and potentially lucrative career path. Genetics counselors support individuals with genetic disorders or families at risk of passing on a genetic disorder. Genetic counselors usually have backgrounds in both genetics and counseling, with at least one master’s degree. 14: Market Research Analyst Psychologists are taught to recognize underlying trends in human behavior which are crucial to marketing industries. Market research analysts study market conditions and analyze consumer trends, determining what products people want, who will buy them, and at what price. 15: Experimental Psychologist They study cognitive, emotional, and social processes in humans. Working independently or with a team, they have highly stable and growing opportunities, as psychological research becomes more important to various other industries. 16: Special Education Teacher They work with individuals who have learning disabilities or mental handicaps. They are required to hold at least a bachelor’s degree and attend special teacher training. Special education requires comparatively less training while offering the most. 17: School Psychologist They work in schools to help students deal with stress and relevant mental conditions. It is a rapidly growing field due to federal education legislation. While the mean average salary of school psychologists is decent, higher salaries can be earned with experience and higher education. 18: Social and Community Service Manager They work with members of the community to address public needs. They oversee community projects and manage budgets and fundraising. The minimal requirement for such work is a bachelor’s degree in social work but psychologists are also sought after for such positions. 19: Sports Psychologist They specialize in the psychological components of athletics such as motivation, performance, and injury management. They work in a range of environments, from schools to professional sports teams and their salaries reflect this diversity. 20: Geropsychologist They work with aged populations, a rapidly growing group of 12-21% of the world population. There are areas within government research organizations and veteran spaces that are very promising in this field. 21: Marriage and Family Therapist They work with individuals, couples, and families to build better relationships. Stigmas surrounding such therapy are dissipating, and the industry shows remarkable growth projected at 41% through 2020. A master’s degree in counseling or a related field is the minimal requirement to work in this field. 22: Career/Vocational Counselor Due to rapidly evolving job markets, students and professionals often seek the aid of career counselors to help establish career paths best suited to their strengths and weaknesses. Such counselors use personality tests and other assessments to determine careers in which individuals can excel. 23: Recreational Therapist They plan, direct and coordinate medically-approved recreational activities for individuals in hospitals, schools, or other institutions. These programs are directed at helping individuals with mental or physical illnesses or disabilities. 24: Mental Health Counselor They help people with problems concerning their personal lives and mental well-being such as marital and education problems and substance abuse issues. Most states require a master’s degree in counseling to become a licensed counselor. It is a rapidly growing industry but the average salaries remain low. 25: Substance Abuse Counselor Helping individuals overcome their physical and mental reliance on drugs, these professionals work with addicted individuals. Most employers require a master’s degree to work as a substance abuse counselor, but the extensive experience can trump this requirement. Professionals seeking higher salaries can get doctoral education as well.

Written by: Shruti Harkhani

Edited by: Sreejit Dey