Some teens are thinking hard about the future, so can we suggest: careers in psychology for homeschool high schoolers.
Careers in Psychology for Homeschool High Schoolers
One of the hats I wear, besides having homeschooled my kids and been a local homeschool high school advisor, is counseling. I have served my local community as a licensed professional counselor for over twenty-five years, so this topic is dear to me.
Many of our communities across America are experiencing shortages of mental health professionals. I have been praying for years that more teens will consider going into this rewarding field. My I suggest careers in Psychology for homeschool high schoolers?
Our homeschoolers often have a heart to serve and have learned compassion skills at home, at church and/or in volunteer organizations. These are the basic skills in Psychology.
Perhaps your teens would consider taking a Psychology credit (such as 7Sisters’ popular Introduction to Psychology) and Human Development (yes, 7Sisters has that, too). For inspiration, here is a look at possible career choices. Psych is a field that is constantly changing, so there are some careers I might have missed- what would you add? (BTW- when your teens work on a Psychology credit, add some activities for enrichment to the calendar. It will help them like psych!)
Click here for an excerpt from Introduction to Psychology.
Careers in Psychology for Homeschool High Schoolers
The links included here are for career descriptions in CareerOneStop.org, the US government’s job description site. It provides job descriptions, occupational outlook, salary information, training information and often, interviews.
Psychiatry
- Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in psychiatric medications
- Look at a career profile for a psychiatrist for more information
Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
- These are nurse practitioners with specialized training in psychiatric medication
- Look at a career profile for a psychiatric nurse practitioner for more information
Psychologist
- This is the general term for someone who has studied Psychology (Often psychologists choose a specialized field of study)
- Counseling Psychology
- Specialize in counseling.
- Clinical Psychology
- Specialize in more intensive settings such as inpatient hospitals or agencies
- Look at a career profile for a psychologist for more information
Engineering Psychologist
- Also called Health and Safety Engineers. Work on physical and psychological health in the workplace
- Check out this video explaining the job of a health and safety engineer
Industrial/Organizational Psychologist
- Helps with human resources, psychology of marketing and organizational best practices
- Learn more at Career One Stop website
- Human Resources Professional
- Specializes in employee training, development, benefits, problem solving
- Look at a career profile for a human resources profession for more information
Experimental or Research Psychologist, Psychometry
- Does research on psychological health, theory or practice. These jobs are usually a part of a psychology professor’s work at research universities
Neuropsychologist
- Does research or testing in a clinical or private practice setting
- Look at a career profile for a neuropsychologist for more information
Educational Psychologist
- See School Psychologist (Educational psychologists also conduct research at research universities or work in the government in policy making positions.)
- See School Psychologist (Educational psychologists also conduct research at research universities or work in the government in policy making positions.)
School Psychologist
- Diagnose and develop Individualized Education Program for students with learning or behavioral issues. Sometimes do counseling with individuals and groups of students
- Look at a career profile for a school psychologist for more information
Guidance Counselor
- Help students plan their academic programs and plan for their future.
- Watch this video on guidance counselor for more information
Performance or Sports Psychologist
- Help athletes (and others who rely heavily on their performance for career success) overcome mental obstacles to success
- Read this article on What is Sports Psychology for more information
Counselor- Masters Level Mental Health Professional Counseling
- Does the same work as a psychologist but has a Masters Degree in Counseling instead of a PhD in Psychology
Marriage and Family Counselor
- Works with couples or families for cognitive and behavioral health
- Watch this video on Marriage counselor for more information
Addictions Counselor
- See Addictions Social Worker (Does the same work)
Career Counseling
- Work with people to find a good-fit career or advance in their careers. Often work in agencies or college campuses
- Read this article What is Career Counseling for more information
Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling
- Work with people with disabilities to connect with good-fit resources and career development opportunities and training
- Watch this video on Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling for more information
Social Workers- Licensed Clinical Social Worker
- Have similar training to counselors with a specialty on community resources. Social workers work in private practice, agencies, government, hospitals
- Medical and Public Health Social Work and Case Managers
- Help connect people with illnesses to practical and emotional support systems
- Watch this video on Public Health Social Work for more information
- Child Advocate/Welfare Worker
- Works with children and families to connect with resources and counseling.
- Watch this video on Child Welfare Worker for more information
- Community Service Manager
- Plan and direct community service organizations
- Watch this video on Community Service Manager for more information
- Medical and Public Health Social Work and Case Managers
- Have similar training to counselors with a specialty on community resources. Social workers work in private practice, agencies, government, hospitals
- Addictions Social Worker
- Works with people who are trying to be free from addictions. Usually works in an agency
- Watch this video on Addictions Social Worker for more information
- Addictions Social Worker
Non-professional Counseling Careers
- These careers usually only require a Bachelor’s Degree.
- These careers usually only require a Bachelor’s Degree.
- Residential Treatment Counselors
- Provides direct support to residents at long-term care facilities
- Inpatient-Setting Group Counselors and Staff
- Lead groups or work with individuals in specific skills for self-awareness and life skills
If you are interested in a career in psychology, it is good to explore options. Ask these (and other) questions:
- Which area of psychology interests me the most?
- What type of education and credentials are required?
- Is the job description of interest to you?
- What will be the expected income and work requirements?
- Which university has the program I like?
- What is their position on integration and Christian psychology?
- Also check out this episode of Homeschool Highschool Podcast for more tips on exploring careers in Psychology.
If your teens have not had a chance to do any career exploration yet, I suggest starting with 7Sisters’ Career Exploration Bundle to get an overall view of God’s plans along their personalities, talents, experiences, skills, and values. This helps them get off to a good start…any maybe some will end up with a career in Psychology!
BTW- If your teen likes online courses, check out our self-paced (asynchronous) Introduction to Psychology from a Christian Perspective course. Read about it here.
For teens who want to use a syllabus and course description, click the following links:
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