Psychology in 2008

Psychology in 2008

“The roots of psychology can be traced back through centuries. Cave men and cave women probably wondered why each behaved as they did. Since at least the time of Socrates, Plato and Aristotle in ancient Greece, psychological topics have inspired lively curiosity” (Bernstein, 6). In 1879, founded by Wilhelm Wundt the science of psychology was born. Since then psychology has been and always will be an ever-growing scientific field.

In a field that focuses around human thought processes and behavior there will always be opportunities available and as long as there is human consciousness the world will need psychologists. Psychology offers so many different opportunities to someone interested in pursuing a career in the field. From research and market analysis to statistical information collection to clinical psychology the opportunities are endless. In coming years psychology will prove to be a stable field to base a career in.

In the year 2008, there will be many job opportunities available in the field of psychology, with “approximately a twenty-one to thirty-five percent growth rate in job openings” (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 152). “Employment in professional specialty occupations is projected to grow the fastest and increase more—by 5.3 million workers—than any other major group over the 1998–2008 period” (Braddock, 52). Among the occupations that fall within this category are counselors, mental health service providers, statisticians, analysts and teachers.

Persons holding a doctorate’s degree in psychology have the greatest chances for placement in the field. Positions ranging from clinical psychologist to educational psychologists are available to them. Most of the growth will occur in univ...

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...g school system also opens clinical and non-clinical opportunities. The future of psychology looks promising and the availability of occupations is guaranteed.

Bibliography:

Bernstein, Douglas A. and Peggy W. Nash. Essentials of Psychology Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1999

Braddock, Douglas. "Occupational employment projections to 2008." Monthly Labor Review, Nov. 1999: 51-77.

Clay, Rebecca, “Psychologists, social workers and psychiatrists: too many or not enough?” Monitor on Psychology 29-9 (Sept. 1998): 4 Dec. 2001

West, Joyce., et al. “Mental health practitioners and trainees.” In R. W. Manderscheid & M. J. Henderson (Eds.) Mental health United States 2000 Rockville: Center for Mental Health Services, 2000

United States. Dept. of Labor. Occupational Outlook Handbook 2000-01. US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Washington GPO 2000.