Psychologist
Herbert Vega
My Career
Duties/Responsibilities
- Conduct scientific studies to study behavior and brain function
- Collect information through observations, interviews, surveys, tests, and other methods
- Find patterns that will help them understand and predict behavior
- Use their knowledge to increase understanding among individuals and groups
- Develop programs that improve schools and workplaces by addressing psychological issues
- Work with individuals, couples, and families to help them make desired changes to behaviors
- Identify and diagnose mental, behavioral, or emotional disorders
- Develop and carry out treatment plans
- Collaborate with physicians or social workers to help treat patients
Work Schedule
Education Needed/To become Independent
You can get a degree at the University of Chicago.You need a Ph.D in Psychology to become a psychologist.
If you work independently you must be licensed. You must be an intern and have 1-2 years of professional experience and pass the Exam for Professional Practice in Psychology.
Payment and Outlook
- $87,330 for industrial-organizational psychologists
- $66,810 for clinical, counseling, and school psychologists
- $89,900 for psychologists, all other
It's expected to grow 22% from 2010 to 2020. It is more than all other occupations
Important Qualitites
Analytical skills. Analytical skills are important when performing psychological research. Psychologists must be able to examine the information they collect and draw logical conclusions from them.
Communication skills. Psychologists must have strong communications skills because they spend much of their time listening to and speaking with patients.
Observational skills. Psychologists study attitude and behavior. They must be able to watch people and understand the possible meanings of people's facial expressions, body positions, actions, and interactions.
Patience. Because research or treatment of patients may take a long time, psychologists must be able to demonstrate patience. They also must be patient when dealing with people who have mental or behavioral disorders.
People skills. Psychologists study people and help people. They must be able to work well with their clients, patients, and other medical professionals.
Problem-solving skills. Psychologists need problem solving skills to find treatments or solutions for mental and behavioral problems.
Trustworthiness. Patients must be able to trust their psychologists. Psychologists also must keep patients’ problems in confidence, and patients must be able to trust psychologists’ expertise in treating sensitive problems.
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