One question that many psychology students may ask themselves is whether or not they will enjoy a career as a psychologist. There are many advantages to being a psychologist. In addition to working in a field that you love, you will have the opportunity to explore new challenges, help people grow as individuals and learn new things about yourself.
1. Helping other people can be very rewarding.
One of the major attractions of becoming a psychologist is the opportunity to help others. If you enjoy working with people, a career in psychology is a great choice. While the job can be stressful at times, many psychologists describe their jobs as very gratifying and fulfilling.
2. Many psychologists have flexible work schedules.
If you operate your own therapy practice, you can basically set your own hours. One big advantage of becoming a psychologist is that you can have a rewarding career and still have plenty of time to spend with your friends and family. Psychologists who work in hospitals or mental health offices may not have work schedules that are as flexible as their self-employed counterparts, but there are still plenty of opportunities to set hours that work with your life and family demands.
3. Psychologists have the potential to earn very high salaries.
While money alone is never a good reason to choose a certain career, psychologists are generally well compensated for their time and effort. On average, psychologists earn anywhere from $50,000 to $100,000 annually. Some individuals opt to work part-time, still earning a respectable income while leaving time to care for children and fulfill other personal obligations.
4. Psychologists can own and operate their own businesses.
If you enjoy working for yourself and have an entrepreneurial spirit, becoming a psychologist can be an excellent career choice. According the the U.S. Department of Labor, nearly 35-percent of all psychologists are self-employed. Establishing your own private therapy practice gives you the opportunity to have full control over your career.
5. Psychologists get to meet and help a wide variety of people.
If you enjoy working with people and helping them achieve their full potential, then becoming a psychologist can be extremely rewarding. While you will often face challenges, seeing your clients achieve real progress and work towards their goals can give you a feeling of accomplishment. Whether you are working exclusively with children, adults, married couples or families, you will have the opportunity to meet and help people from all walks of life.
Next: Learn about some of the potential disadvantages of being a psychologist.
