Occupational psychologists.

[SideWinder]

This place rarely lets me down...so here goes!

I am just wondering if anyone on here works as an occupational psychologist, works in a company that employs occupational psychologists or
could offer any advice to someone who wants to follow this career path.

I am not asking for myself but asking for my girlfriend instead. She currently works in recruitment but is looking into a postgraduate course in occupational psychology. She has the 2.1 degree in psychology but really wants to try and improve her CV as quick as she can...and escape the horror of recruitment consultancy.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Greenlizard0]

Having been at university myself all I can say is good work. Psychologists were fit.

 

[Skeptic]

In terms of real world, accessible psychology, the ranking is probably;

Neuropsychology
Clinical Psychology / Education Psychology
Counselling Psychology
Health Psychology
Occupational Psychology
Sports Psychology (though this is growing)


I work as an EP, and this is the general consensus with colleagues. If you want to get into psychology as a career, then I'd do a Masters part-time, while doing some shadowing in a Psych service for a local authority. In this game there is just as much emphasis put onto experience.

FWIW - 250 apps for the most recent position at my place. Oc-psy is a decent choice, but is more of a developing discipline. Basically, a lot of employers do not consider it a worthwhile expense, so don't create positions, thus for those which are created, a lot of competition is there.

 

[Skeptic]

http://www.hpc-uk.org/education/programmes/register/

One of those programmes would be good.

(The MSc's - but make sure it's one which has a defined career path. i.e. MSc in clinical psych -> Clin psych doctorate)

 

[rypt]

Psychologists were fit.

That is surprisingly true, all the ones I've met at Uni have definitely been fit

 

[Skeptic]

That is surprisingly true, all the ones I've met at Uni have definitely been fit

Mostly mental though - true story.

 

[rypt]

Mostly mental though - true story.

A few yes, but I tend to change the subject when they started to psycho-analyse me

 

[SideWinder]

Anymore thoughts?

 

[Freefaller]

My ex is a Dr in Educational Psychology but is tempted to move over the occ psychology in a few years. It seems to be a job in high demand for the right skill base. However, if you get yourself into a large corporation or a private consultancy some big bucks and good training are to be had. She's working for a council so public sector and as such it's capped her salary potential somewhat.

 

[Mat]

A few yes, but I tend to change the subject when they started to psycho-analyse me

Why do you feel as though you need to change the subject, do you think?

 

[rypt]

Why do you feel as though you need to change the subject, do you think?

Because I am trying to have a conversation with the girl, and not talk to a shrink.

 

[Kol]

I think it's time your GF got an account on here based on the amount of advice you've requested for her over the last year

 

[MrMoonX]

you need a masters and two years supervised practice to be able to register as a chartered psychologist in any field

 

[SideWinder]

I think it's time your GF got an account on here based on the amount of advice you've requested for her over the last year

Thanks for the comments.

 

[Kol]

 

[Jimbu]

you need a masters and two years supervised practice to be able to register as a chartered psychologist in any field

Where'd you read that? That is not the process for clinical psychology.

@SideWinder You should tell your GF to check the British Psychology Society it explains how to get into each field there.

 

[Skeptic]

Where'd you read that? That is not the process for clinical psychology.

@Sidewinder You should tell your GF to check the British Psychology Society it explains how to get into each field there.

Agreed. Wrong information.

Though you would struggle to get onto any doctoral course without a masters.