“There is a lot of need within the field and a lot of ways to be involved.”

A lot of people ask about the work of a psychologist. Especially young people that are considering future careers. So, I’ve put together a little bit of information to help those that are considering this career path.

The first thing I want to state is that I have a strong bias toward this career choice! I understand that this one career clearly can not be the best fit for everyone. But, it has been a great fit for me and my family.

What do psychologists do?

In short, they are scientists who study the minds and behaviours of people.

There are certain things that you must be legally qualified to do. For example, a teacher can often identify that a student is struggling in class, but would require someone like a psychologist to give a formal diagnosis and help treat it.

Some of the major areas of work include:

• Treatments (or rehabilitation) for mental health and brain-related issues.

• Human Resources – helping with workplace issues.

• Research and/or marketing – one psychologist told me he worked for a medicine manufacturer to create brand names for medicine, since the name of the medicine played a factor in how effective it was.

• Education – teaching at schools, or giving a lecture at a business, or webinars.

• Psychological Assessments / Evaluations – these can guide legal processes, such as helping with determining fitness of a parent, or helping insurance companies to understand the effects of an injury on an individual.

How do you become a psychologist?

In Alberta, you must be registered through the College of Alberta Psychologists in order to practice as a psychologist. The process of registration follows these steps:

1. Academic Credentials – you need a minimum of a Master’s degree in Psychology, or a related field. So, a minimum of 6 years of education at an approved school(s). Outside of Alberta, a PhD is often required, in case you are considering working elsewhere.

2. Supervised work as a Provisional Psychologist – This includes a minimum of 1600 supervised hours. For example, you might meet with your supervisor for an hour or two each week to discuss your case load. This is usually completed over a number of years.

3. Examinations – including a written examination and an oral examination. It is not uncommon for people to prepare for several months for these examinations, often taking a few weeks or months to dedicate solely to preparation.

Some Considerations

I think the biggest deterrent from becoming a psychologist is probably the years of University required. Yes, it is long and expensive! But, let’s point out a few good things.

• First, it is low risk. The chances of finding work within the field after earning a graduate degree are very high.

• Also, remember, if you have a 4-year bachelor’s degree, or have come up short of a degree in the past, you might be just a few short years away. This is a big advantage if you are in Alberta or other jurisdictions that maintain that minimum standard. Some other provinces and countries require a minimum of a PhD.

• If you are considering shifting into the career “later in life,” know that this is not uncommon. Many psychologists entered the field in their 40s or 50s. This actually gives the field of psychology a wonderful array of professionals with different experiences. Experiences outside of the field can absolutely give you an advantage. Think of how great a retired cop or firefighter could be at helping others with PTSD, or a woman who spent 20 years caring for her home and children could be at helping other parents! A teacher who has spent years working with kids in the classroom could be a great fit as a guidance counsellor.

Outlook for the field

There are jobs in both the public and private sectors. Each with their own separate advantages and disadvantages. Hospitals, school boards, and government sectors are seemingly always looking for psychologists. Large businesses hire psychologists to help with health and wellness. Many psychologists enter private practice on their own, or maybe with a few other therapists. This can be rewarding if you are looking to be a small business owner, which comes with its own set of challenges and tasks but is also very rewarding.

Being in the health sector, it is a safe bet that it will never go out of style. In fact, it seems we are hitting a critical point in the field currently. The stigma toward seeing a “shrink” is nothing like it was in the past decades. With each year, there is more and more talk about mental health in public and private conversations. And the younger generations are continually more accepting and encouraging of mental health care. It is growing, and growing fast. We need more people in the field!

Also, remember there are a large number of opportunities in the field. At our clinics, the majority of our staff actually are not psychologists. We have Office Managers with backgrounds in other forms of health care. We have students that are studying psychology in both graduate and undergraduate programs. We have staff and contractors that focus on marketing, accounting, or on just the technology piece of the business. There is a lot of need within the field and a lot of ways to be involved.

How to Begin

If you are considering a career in this field, start by talking to a guidance or career counsellor as well as a person responsible for academic admissions at the College or University of your choice. You could also talk to a psychologist that you know or know of, and ask as many questions as you need in order to feel satisfied and begin the process. In our experience, it is well worth it!