If you have a passion for working with children and young adults, there are numerous psychology careers that would be perfect for you. Currently, the job market for psychology majors is booming.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for psychologists in 2019 was $80,370 per year. Take a look through these top five psychology careers that involve working with children and teens.
1) School Counselor
School counselors help students to succeed in their education. Often times, they mentor students about their future plans and goals. The great thing about this career is that it’s in such high demand. In addition, there’s plenty of room for mobility. With thousands of schools all across the U.S, there are plenty of job opportunities available.
2) Child Psychologist
A child psychologist specializes in understanding the thinking patterns and behaviors of children. They can help children who have experienced trauma and abuse to establish healthy coping skills. They provide a critical role in the psychological development of young children. Their advanced skills allow them to understand the thinking processes of both children and young adults. Child psychologists can also help children who have witnessed violent crimes to open up about their experience.
3) Developmental Psychologist
Developmental psychologists focus on the growth of children. They study the developmental process of children as they age. The information they provide has critical importance in the medical and scientific community. Sometimes, they may study children with disabilities or psychological disorders. Their main focus is to provide research that will help to understand the process of growth and aging. The majority of developmental psychologists hold a doctorate. The biggest determining factor in income stems from education and experience. The more education and the more experience one has, the better the income will be.
4) Family Therapist
As a family therapist, you can provide families with the tools they need to build better relationships. Often times, families seek out professionals who can help them to establish a stronger family unit. Some families may struggle with a particular issue. For example, miscommunication is a common problem amongst families. It can lead to misunderstanding which in turn can cause a lot of stress and tension within the family. Family therapists are trained professionals who can help resolve conflicts.
5) Social Worker
If you’re seeking a job where you can make a difference in the lives of children and adolescents, then a social worker may be the best choice for you. Social workers have the important job of looking after the well-being of at-risk individuals. All too often, this involves working with victims of abuse or mentally handicapped patients. It is a dynamic field of work that can involve a variety of job responsibilities. If you have a passion and love for children, becoming a social worker with Child Protective Services is a fantastic option. Although it can be a challenging job, it’s important work that makes a difference in the lives of at-risk children.
Although they’re all slightly different, each one of these careers holds critical importance in the psychological well-fare of youth. If you want to make a positive impact in the lives of children and teens, you can’t go wrong with any of these careers.