Individuals who are thinking about psychology careers may wish to learn about the career outlook for this particular field. There are several factors to take into consideration when thinking about job prospects, including the specific positions in which students are interested, as well as the need for specific psychological services and the various sociocultural factors that will affect job availability in the future. Below, you will find basic information regarding these matters as well as other information that pertains to the job outlook for careers within the field of psychology.
What is Psychology?
Although it is a broad field, psychology, in its most basic form, is the study of human behavior and the mind. In analyzing human attitudes and actions, psychologists typically attempt to improve their clients’ or patients’ thinking habits, behaviors and actions in order to help them lead healthier and more positive and productive lives.
Employment Outlook for Psychology
Psychologists study the emotional, social and cognitive processes that precipitate human behavior. In watching and documenting how their patients relate to their external environments and themselves, psychologists strive to improve the quality of life for their patients as well as contribute to psychology-based research.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the career outlook for those in the field of psychology is expected to grow 19 percent through 2024, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. However, growth will depend on the occupation and specific career pursued. In addition, job opportunities are most attractive for psychologists who have earned a doctoral degree within a specific field of psychology, and some experts anticipate that school psychology will be one of the fastest-growing fields given that awareness of the importance of childhood mental health is also increasing. As more children are struggling with behavior problems, coping with learning disorders and dealing with bullying, the demand for qualified and educated school psychologists will also increase.
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Employment Outlook for Counseling and Clinical Psychology
The demand for clinical psychologists will also continue to increase, and the BLS expects that demand in this field will grow by 20 percent through 2024. Unhealthy lifestyle behaviors such as smoking, alcoholism and obesity are on the rise and, as a result, so is the need for clinical counselors. These lifestyle behaviors make prevention and treatment services important, and those who pursue careers in counseling and clinical psychology are often tasked with helping clients to recognize and change these behaviors. In addition, more clinical and counseling psychologists will be needed in order to help people who are struggling with stress from their jobs, addiction, mental disorders and marital problems. The increasing number of elderly people in the country will also lead to an increased need for psychologists who are trained in the field of geropsychology, as these professionals help senior citizens cope with the mental and physical changes that they are experiencing as they age.
If you would like to learn what the employment outlook for jobs in psychology will be, it’s important to remember that the answer depends on not only the specific position in which you are interested but also the area in which you live, your education and your experience. Regardless of the field in which you work, the outlook for psychology careers is fairly good, and those who pursue positions in this field can feel confident that their jobs will be in demand in the future.