Health Occupation of the Month-January
Psychologist of Tomorrow
by Taylor Halstead
January 13, 2010
A career that has interested me the most over the past few years is Psychology. I have always loved helping people out by giving them advice or simply just listening. I have visited places all over town and noticed that I took particular liking to the Riverview Center because it deals with kids and adults who have been sexually abused or sexually harassed. Nobody deserves to deal with that their whole life so I hope that in the near future I can be employed there making a huge difference in people’s life’s.
I feel like I could do an exceptional job at this career because I have the qualities you need to be a successful Psychologist. For start, as a Psychologist you need to be an amazing listener. People come to you to talk about what happened. They are at a point in their life that they know it is okay to open up so now they don’t want anything holding them back from letting it all out. Another quality being able to open up and relate. People, especially teenagers, don’t like to feel like they are alone and no one is like them. You need to be able to show them that there are thousands of people just like them and they are also speaking out. Other qualities that are needed are great communication skills, having a heart of gold, being polite, and doing the job to help others not to get a paycheck. Also, in the Psychology field you need to be available. People don’t know when they will break down so you always need to be ready physically and mentally.
If your dream is to become a Psychologist, you will need to complete the schooling. The education process is long and never stops but it is a gift to be able to help those who need it. Depending on where you work or what you want to specialize in depends on your schooling. Most Psychologists have their Ph.D. which takes 5 – 7 years. If you want your master’s, it takes 2 years after a bachelors in college.
Depending on what you specialize in will depend on your working conditions. For example if you are a Psychologist for sexually assaulted victims, you would work inside in a building with different rooms you can go to. Usually with victims you don’t want to limit them, you want them to be free. Hours would consist of being there during the week and on call available for anyone to contact you if they need you. As a female, you need to wear clothes that don’t reveal anything because you don’t want the chance of people misunderstanding things.
Statistics say that by 2016 the need for Psychologist will increase greatly. They will be needed in schools, in families for counseling, businesses, and government firms. In the Tri-state area possible jobs are at the Maria House in Dubuque, Iowa, The Riverview Center in Galena, Illinois, Tyler’s Justice Center in Stockton Illinois, and The Workshop in Galena, Illinois just to name a few. Places like these are always looking for people to help out and volunteer. It would be a great way to get your foot in the door to doing something you love.
Helping people out and making a difference in their lives is a huge benefit. Being able to go to sleep at night knowing that you have helped a person out is the best feeling in the world. Other benefits would have to be the pay and the time you work. As a Psychologist the client usually pays you by the visit, not how much time you spent with them. The average salary is between $46,000 to $77,000 a year. Depending on where you work and how much education you have will greatly affect your salary.
When you decide this is the career for you, it will make you realize that each day is never the same. One day you could be at your office and the next you could be rushing to the hospital. With Psychology, you will always be able to grow and learn. For example, you can receive higher education, which would lead to more job choices.
Below are different places in the Tri-state area where you could possibly work or obtain more information.
Galena Riverview Center
2689 S River Rd
Galena, IL 61036-9377
(815) 777-2034
Maria House
1561 Jackson St
Dubuque, IA 52001-4904
(563) 582-7480
Choices
901 Spring St
Galena, IL 61036-2033
(815) 777-3680
The Workshop
706 West St
P.O. Box 6087
Galena, IL 61036
(815) 777-2211
