Counseling in the Age of Aromatherapy

by Kathryn Reid, www.resumeedge.com Editor, CPRW

Not too long ago, people reflexively associated the word "counselor" with two occupations: school guidance counselor and marriage counselor. They were typically mentioned in hushed, disapproving tones: "He had to be sent to the guidance counselor." "They're in counseling, you know."

While a doctorate is a routine requirement for work as a licensed counseling or clinical psychologist, counselors can be licensed with a master's degree. And in certain settings, such as substance abuse counseling or community health centers, a bachelor's degree is often acceptable. All states have regulatory boards, licensing laws and training standards that have to be met by independent practitioners, and they vary. The American Association of State Counseling Boards (http://www.aascb.org) is a good resource for information on requirements.

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Testing, Testing: Psychometrics Evaluate Human Potential

In the wide career path of psychology—the study of the human mind—there hasn’t always been an emphasis on rigorous assessment and evaluation. After all, psychology is, typically, about the inner workings of the mind of the individual and how it impacts life and behavior. The desire to measure things like function and intelligence gave rise to the branch of psychology known as psychometrics.

Psychometrics is a specialty in high demand, and has become a popular focus for students earning a psychology degree at the graduate level. Psychometricians are needed in both the public and private sectors. Psychologists that specialize in testing and assessing people are needed in government, particularly in education, but they are also in demand in the corporate world in the marketing field. Salaries are high and the work is fascinating, so if you are interested in a graduate degree in psychology, psychometrics might be right for you!

Where Do I Start?

You have made the decision. But how do you start the process of getting your psychology degree? It takes smart research and cognitive reasoning to do thing like choose a college, pick the program that is right for you, and get through the application process. Slow and steady is the way to go.

Also, while you may enjoy the study of the human mind, you might want to take some time to discover what psychology degrees are available. Or spend some time researching available psychology careers. There is a plenty of information out there, so do your research and, above all, think!

What Can I Do With My Undergraduate Psychology Degree?

The instinctive answer to the question of what to do with a psychology degree is, “Be a psychologist!” But in order to become a professional psychologist, you need a master’s or even a doctoral degree in psychology. So what can you do with your four-year degree in psychology?

The wonderful thing about a psychology degree is that it is much more flexible and adaptable than any other degree. After all, no matter what career path you are on, people are sure to be involved—as customers, co-workers, employees, and bosses. A quality undergraduate education in psychology prepares you to be a good citizen and a critical thinker, and the skills and abilities that psychology majors acquire through their coursework and out-of-class experiences make them marketable for a wide variety of employment options. With a psychology major, you can work in human resources, the retail world, public relations, marketing and more! A bachelor's degree in psychology is a great first step to a stable and rewarding psychology career.

The Field of Psychology: What degrees are available?

Psychology is the science of the human mind and behavior—the study of the what and why of humanity. If you find the inner workings of the human mind fascinating, you might find that the field of psychology is right for you.

There are many psychology degrees and sociology degrees available. Almost every college offers a Bachelors degree in psychology, and hundreds of colleges offer graduate degrees in psychology as well. Psychology associates degrees are also available. Before you choose the degree program that works best for you, be sure to spend some time considering the various psychology careers so you know what degree you need to do the job you prefer. Psychology is a rewarding field to work in, so get your degree and dig in!

Student Financial Aid: Paying For Your Psychology Degree

The decision to earn a degree in Psychology is an extremely important one. The specialized education and training you receive will provide you with the necessary tools and knowledge to have a great psychology career. But how will you pay for it?

Earning a degree is an investment in your future—and Financial Aid for your psychology degree can be the stepping-stone to that future. Financial aid exists to assist students with their college expenses, so that financial barriers do not prevent them from achieving their goals. So your dream of a psychology degree can come true--just with a little help!

Psychology Careers: A Wide Open Field

It’s an age-old question—why do people do what they do? The scientific study of that question is psychology. This field is fairly young—only about 125 years old—and has already had nearly as many schools of thought as there have been psychologists.

Many psychologists are researchers, and many others are practicing clinicians. But there is literally no limit to how the study psychology can be utilized in the workforce. For instance, three of the ten “hot” jobs for 2007 utilize a psychology degree, including being a school psychologist or working as an animal behavioralist. But there are many other fascinating psychology careers today--including forensic psychologist, sport psychologists and more! There is no limit to where a degree in psychology can take you today!