Each week we explain the ins and outs of a job area. Today, psychology
What sort of talents and qualities will I need?Points are high for psychology, so academic talent is important. Aptitudes for science, logic and problem solving are all useful. An interest in people and the way they think and behave is essential. Psychologists must be excellent communicators, and good interpersonal skills are key. You need to be patient, calm and professional. Psychology is a demanding profession, so you need to be completely dedicated to your job.
What are my options?Becoming a psychologist is a long process. After an honours degree in psychology, you will need a postgraduate qualification if you want to be employed in any area of psychology. There are a number of specialities. Clinical psychology involves helping people who have physical- and mental-health problems. Educational psychology looks at young people and behavioural problems or learning difficulties they might have. Health psychology investigates people's behaviour when it comes to healthcare, such as why they seek professional advice. Occupational psychology looks at the performance of people at work and in training. Forensic psychology involves applying psychological principles to court cases and other legal activities, such as assessing whether someone is fit for trial. Counselling psychology helps people who are going through crises or who may have been through a traumatic experience. Sports psychology deals with the psychological effects and pressures of sport.
What Leaving Cert subjects should I be thinking about?Statistics is a huge area within psychology. An aptitude for maths helps. Sciences will also be useful, especially biology.
What courses are available?Psychology is available in a number of colleges through arts or science degrees. Single-honours psychology degrees are competitive, and all have an entry level of at least 500 points at universities; Trinity College in Dublin needed 545 last year, but even this was no guarantee of entry, which was by random selection. Private colleges and institutes of technology require fewer points; Dublin Business School needed 195 last year. There are also psychology options at Queen's University Belfast and the University of Ulster.
What sort of work experience might help?Patient confidentiality may make work experience hard to get, but you should try to speak to psychologists about the work they do. Try to find out as much as you can about psychology and what's involved in different courses. Many people are surprised about the amount of maths involved in the degree.
Where can I find out more?Visit the website of the Psychological Society of Ireland, www.psihq.ie, which has a useful training and education section. You'll also benefit from visiting www.careerdirections.ie and www.qualifax.ie. To find out about courses, have a look at what's available at individual colleges.
If you would like to see a career area covered, e-mail gfaller@irish-times.ie
