fbpx

4 Roles That Could Help You Achieve Your Dream of Becoming a Psychologist


by Luca Yates

All products and services featured on this site are independently selected by our authors and editors. If you buy something through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

If your dream career involves supporting and helping others with their mental health, working as a psychologist could be perfect for you. But before you get there, you’ll need to go through a lot of education. To work as a psychologist, you are typically required to have at least a master’s degree in psychology. However, work experience is often just as important, as many employers in this field are looking for people who have worked in similar situations and have a track record of supporting others, even before getting qualified. 

Here are some roles to consider doing as you study to help you achieve your dream career of working in psychology. 

Peer Support

Working as a peer support specialist is a great way to prepare yourself for becoming a psychologist. A peer support job allows you to communicate with service users who are in need of support and offer a listening ear and advice when needed. Hushley is a peer support app that is ideal for psychology students to use since you can decide on the days and times that are best for you to work. Hushley is set to launch in December 2020 and will offer peer support work opportunities to certified individuals. Earning the NCPS certification to become a peer support specialist can also help support your future career as a psychologist, and you’ll earn valuable feedback too. 

Helpline Volunteer

Many people use mental health support helplines when they are at the lowest point in their life or going through a serious mental health crisis. If you want to work as a psychologist, a helpline position is an ideal choice for getting experience working with people from all walks of life with various different problems. You might consider helping people by working for a suicide prevention helpline or volunteering your time to help individuals who need assistance with escaping an abusive situation. Not only can this role provide an excellent experience for your future career, but it can also be extremely rewarding to know that you may have saved somebody’s life. 

Mental Health Support Worker

Mental health support workers are tasked with supporting mental health professionals and service users, often in a psychiatric ward or rehabilitation center. A role as a support worker is quite hands-on and variable since you never know what each day is going to bring. Working face-to-face with mental health service users and alongside qualified psychologists and mental health professionals can be some of the best experiences you’ll get for your future career. 

Mentor or Coach

Often, working as a psychologist is all about providing mentorship to people who want to better manage their mental health and overcome problems. Working as a mentor or coach in any setting as you study can provide you with a range of valuable transferable skills that will help you excel in a mental health support career. Mentoring people can help you develop better listening, verbal communication, interpersonal, and organizational skills to name a few, all of which are essential for a successful career as a psychologist. 

While education is important for those looking to pursue a career in psychology, getting valuable and relevant work experience is often also necessary.

About the Author 

Luca Yates

Through his work in the SEO and Corporate landscapes, Luca Yates has been on his own personal growth journey. Today, he loves helping others to achieve their goals.

{"email":"Email address invalid","url":"Website address invalid","required":"Required field missing"}

This month's personal development book is John C. Maxwell's 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth. One of my favorite authors, I know you'll

Read More
The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth: Personal Development Pick of the Month

Many of my coaching clients are people who want to become life coaches. It's an appealing field, especially for those with a

Read More
How to Get Started as a Life Coach

Regardless of how encouraging everyone around us may be, we have all received that response. You know what I’m talking about–the one

Read More
Creating and Marketing and Rejection. Oh My!

I may be seen as a bit of a trouble maker. I agree with an unconventional line of thinking. My views on

Read More
Do You Disrupt or Fit In?

I had another no show for a free consultation last night. I'm a business coach, and part of the drill is hopping on

Read More
Don’t Allow Your Clients to Abuse Your Good Nature

Wondering how much cash you need to start a business? Former bank director and business consultant Don Smith discusses this issue. Keep

Read More
How Much Cash You Need to Start a Business

You have probably heard the saying, “you can't have your cake and eat it too.” What it means is that you can't

Read More
Why the idea “you can’t have your cake and eat it too” is a poor way to live life

Most of us contribute faithfully to our retirement plan each paycheck. But have you considered that there may be much better investment

Read More
Are You Investing in Your Career or Business?

Most small business owners consider hiring a coach at some point in their journey. According to a former bank director and small

Read More
What to Look For When Hiring a Small Business Coach

Is passion a lie? We've all heard quotes like “Do what you love and you'll never work another day in your life.”

Read More
Is Passion a Lie?

I recently saw a post asking, “How can I find a millionaire to be my mentor?” Every business or leadership book on the

Read More
How to Find a Mentor: Two Methods

Delegate, delegate, delegate. Most business books you read will tell you to learn how to delegate if you want to get more

Read More
When You Shouldn’t Delegate

SUBSCRIBE

Get new articles and course discounts from leading providers every Friday in your inbox with your free subscription!

>