Health psychology is an admirable profession that helps thousands of people all around the world. Yet, to become an expert and secure a job in this field, you have to know what you want and how to get it. These top tips for aspiring health psychologists will push you in the right direction.
Get to Know the Profession
This is the moment to really wonder, what is health psychology? If you don’t fully understand the ins and outs of the subject, it is imperative that you familiarize yourself with the details, and fast. Having a vague idea and scarce knowledge is never going to lead you down the road to success, and that’s a fact. So, sit down and check out a few courses, what the modules entail, and what kind of career path you could head down after you finish studying.
Pick a Trajectory
Whether you are more driven by research-based roles, or you prefer the hands-on patient experience, there are a lot of options in the health psychology niche to dive into. It is your job to discover which road you are going to go down and forge a path to getting there. Once you have a trajectory in mind, everything else will slot into place. What are the top options?
- Clinician
- Psychologist
- Group mentor
- Researcher
Do Not Switch Off from Experience
Despite having a firm idea of what you want to do, you shouldn’t switch off from general experience in this area. You never know whether time spent during certain placements will open your mind to the possibilities of another career path. It is important to try out different areas, even if you do that within your specific niche interest area. Never limit yourself to just one thing, because this will not only look bad on your resume for securing future positions but also limit your mind and capacity too.
Study Hard
It always tends to be the case that people with PhD qualifications or master’s level degrees have more doors open to them in health psychology. This is a high-tier professional arena that demands a level of excellence that other fields simply do not. It will therefore be beneficial for your career road if you delve into further education beyond the undergraduate level. You will be able to use this opportunity to expand your knowledge base and further explore what it really means to be a health psychologist.
Be Serious About Your Applications
When it comes to applying for jobs, remember that while there are jobs in this area, it is still competitive. Any prospective employer is going to expect an assumed level of knowledge, and you have to show this in your application before you ever get through the door. This is where you need to put the energy in. Make your applications the absolute best you can and ensure that they truly reflect what you want and what you’re capable of.
Health psychologists are hard working professionals with a lot of responsibility. It could be shaping healthcare policy or impacting positive changes in patients’ lives; everything makes a difference.