Is psychology for me???

eoghan h

hey
so its CAO time and I want to know should I study psycholgy........

I love learning about the mind and I'm always noticing how people relate to each other (kinda analysing it in my head)

I dont think I could work with special needed children (wouldn;t have the patience)

I love bull****ting and trying to influence people....

From the above^ Do you think psychology is for me??:p

Valmont

eoghan h wrote: »

I love bull****ting and trying to influence people....

You've been watching too much Paul McKenna. Psychology isn't a how to win friends and influence people class:p:D

Id advise you to get the information from the various colleges that offer accredited psych courses and look it up on the net.

Also I'd recommend 'Opening Skinner's Box' by Lauren Slater if you have the time, it's an excellent introduction to the diverse field of psychology and a cracking good read.

Good luck in the LC

spinandscribble

you could do research instead of working with people.

TheNibbler

eoghan h wrote: »

I love learning about the mind and I'm always noticing how people relate to each other (kinda analysing it in my head)

That was one of the reasons I decided to do Psychology in the first place. However, once you get into college you quickly realise that you'll be doing far more statistics than studying how people relate to each other!

It is an interesting area, but I wish someone had warned me how much time and effort it takes to pursue a career in Psychology.

eoghan h

Would studying engineering be an easier option???

eoghan h

Valmont wrote: »

Also I'd recommend 'Opening Skinner's Box' by Lauren Slater if you have the time, it's an excellent introduction to the diverse field of psychology and a cracking good read.

Would this book really be worth getting?? (I have very little time left to decide what I want to do!)

Also very important issue - MONEY!
How much are people earning? Was it hard to find work?

Brooke01

eoghan h wrote: »

hey
so its CAO time and I want to know should I study psycholgy........

I love learning about the mind and I'm always noticing how people relate to each other (kinda analysing it in my head)

I dont think I could work with special needed children (wouldn;t have the patience)

I love bull****ting and trying to influence people....

From the above^ Do you think psychology is for me??:p

No Psychology is not about the way people act ... e.g. why do people act unintelligent (study) in the public eye. It’s a science subject of its own. Psychology comprises of statistics (maths) also just look at the points 500 and over. So it’s for people that are equipped to revise ENORMOUS amount of information. And psychology has a vast load of information. Psychology is about are brains. Why do people have depression? What happens in the brain? Why neutrons to this?? What happen to people with brain damage what consequences it has on your brains?

Brooke01

eoghan h wrote: »

Would this book really be worth getting?? (I have very little time left to decide what I want to do!)

Also very important issue - MONEY!
How much are people earning? Was it hard to find work?

You have to do at least three year in psychology. And if you want to call yourself a psychologist you will have more studying. At Post grad to become a specialist in psychology . If you want to become a clinical psychologist it will take around 6 years. For an educational psychologist 7 years in Ireland. So it’s really about do you want to study this protracted. And also work is hard to find in e.d area. You will predominantly functioning with people in the area of mental health

Valmont

Brooke01 wrote: »

Psychology comprises of statistics (maths) also just look at the points 500 and over. So it’s for people that are equipped to revise ENORMOUS amount of information.

You couldn't be more wrong. You're assuming that the 500+ points required to study psychology at university is a reflection of the difficulty of the course material, which it isn't. 500 points reflects the demand for a place on a psychology course not the level of difficulty.

Psychology is simply for people that are interested in learning about human behaviour through the medium of a science degree, not people that can memorise 15 leaving cert essays.

Unfortunately our public education system only caters for the talented individuals who do achieve 500+ points in the leaving cert. There are however, a number of private third level institutions that offer fully accredited and comprehensive psychology degrees.

mc-panda

Valmont wrote: »

You couldn't be more wrong. You're assuming that the 500+ points required to study psychology at university is a reflection of the difficulty of the course material, which it isn't. 500 points reflects the demand for a place on a psychology course not the level of difficulty.

Psychology is simply for people that are interested in learning about human behaviour through the medium of a science degree, not people that can memorise 15 leaving cert essays.

Unfortunately our public education system only caters for the talented individuals who do achieve 500+ points in the leaving cert. There are however, a number of private third level institutions that offer fully accredited and comprehensive psychology degrees.

Valmont is correct. I did Ordinary level math for my leaving cert. Did grinds from the beginning of fifth year up until the exams every week. I got a B. It's hardly worth writing home about. Yes, psychology involves statistics. They are performed by a computer. And although it is required that you have a grasp of the various methods being employed, your numerial skills are NOT tested.

Psychology is a Science. Yes. But it is the study of human behaviour. Nothing more. Nothing less. And don't fool (or worry) yourself. Even after six or seven or ten years of study you will not be qualified to work with every type of disorder and/or behaviours. You specialise. Just like a medical doctor does. Often to a very minute area.

If you enjoy the idea of working with people consider it as a good option. If somewhere along the line you feel it's not for you, the option of a career switch is very easy. Many areas are becoming interested in graduates with Psych degrees. Human resources for instance gives it a heavy weight.

I hope the old LC goes very well for you. It is without pararell the most difficult battery of exams you will ever sit in your life. I say this not with the intention of stressing you out. Quite the opposite in fact. If you suceed, you can handle any exam.

God luck again. With the exams. With the decision.

PolliPockets

Not wanting to work with special needs children completely eradicates your ability to work in psychology. I don't mean this in an offensive way but psychology entails a huge deal of empathy and patience, secondly children in general are almost the basis of any psychological experiment...you may be more inclinced to study sociology but I must say from this post I would strongly advise you not to put it on your CAO....bull****ting can be fun to build your ego but some people are on the verge of suicide and thats alot harder to deal with that any handicapped person I have dealt with. Please do not take this the wrong way, but I must very firmly press this thought.

Polli x

spinandscribble

PolliPockets wrote: »

Not wanting to work with special needs children completely eradicates your ability to work in psychology. I don't mean this in an offensive way but psychology entails a huge deal of empathy and patience, secondly children in general are almost the basis of any psychological experiment...you may be more inclinced to study sociology but I must say from this post I would strongly advise you not to put it on your CAO....bull****ting can be fun to build your ego but some people are on the verge of suicide and thats alot harder to deal with that any handicapped person I have dealt with. Please do not take this the wrong way, but I must very firmly press this thought.

Polli x

harsh but very true, fair play. i wanted to write something like this when i first saw this thread but i didnt have the balls.
its very true though and the bull****ting bit really made me question his reasoning behind wanting to study psych.

mc-panda

In fairness. That's pretty harsh. Not wanting to work with special needs is okay. There's a vast array of work trajectories within psycology. Not wanting to be lousy, but it's pretty short sighted to shoot the chap down for being honest.

I have no desire to work with ID patients either in any long term capacity. I acknoweldge that there exists an obligatoin to train in the area during Clinical, but by no means would I be restricted to the area after succesful completion of the course (which I haven't been accepted on).

Go easy on the man lads.
That is all.

Valmont

PolliPockets wrote: »

Not wanting to work with special needs children completely eradicates your ability to work in psychology.

What on earth gave you this idea? There are a multitude of psychological career paths that don't involve working with special needs children like occupational psychology, research and plenty more.

andrewh5

There is a huge amount of statistical work involved in studying psychology so if maths isn't your forte I would suggets you think again.

Valmont

PolliPockets wrote: »

children in general are almost the basis of any psychological experiment...
Polli x

Again, what on earth gave you this idea? Do you study psychology? You're exhibiting a remarkable ignorance of the breadth of the subject. Considering people are asking genuine questions, we could try and be more accurate in our descriptions of what psychology actually entails rather than spouting nonsense opinions.

p.pete

Valmont wrote: »

Again, what on earth gave you this idea? Do you study psychology? You're exhibiting a remarkable ignorance of the breadth of the subject. Considering people are asking genuine questions, we could try and be more accurate in our descriptions of what psychology actually entails rather than spouting nonsense opinions.

seconded.

mc-panda

PolliPockets wrote: »

children in general are almost the basis of any psychological experiment...

That's simply not true. Attempting to do any experiment or research with children of any age represents an ethical minefield of epic proportions for even the most experienced and qualified psychologist. They are unable to give informed consent. And even if their parents will allow it, internal ethic committees will need extra satisfaction that there exists no potential detriments to their well being as a result of the study being undertaken.

Children do not represent the core work of psychology. They represent the core work of child and adolescent psychology. They are of course of paramount importance when working with adults who have children due to Child Protection leglislation. That, however, encompasses a more indirect involvement by the psychologist, and only when there are concerns towards their well being.

There is such a vast array of options available to any student psychologist. Don't be advising people that their choice is a bad one because they don't believe working with kids or with special needs is not for them.

By being honest about their weaknesses and shortcomings, I think these people could make excellent psychologists who would not in the future participate in interventions with people outside the realm of their professional competency. That is a sterling quality and should be the benchmark for us all.

As for maths, I am **** at them. But it doesn't hold me back.

I say go for it. If you decide YOU think you want it of course.

Good luck again.

eoghan h

I was under the impression that psychology was a very broad field with many career options available after college!

I really don't think the fact that I wouldn't have the patience to work with special children will hold me back.

My brother qualified last year and he said it wouldn't be a problem......but he doesn't have any experience of working as a psychologist

As for Maths......I'm doing honours and I was also considering an engineering degree so maths won't be a problem for me.

Are there many career options in business available to psychologists???

Anyone have any opinions as to which path would be better - Civil/energy engineering or Psychology???
(work availability, travel oppurtunites, salary etc...)

mc-panda

I can't offer any advice on the engineering side of things. I wouldn't have a clue.

Psychology is fun though. It gets better though when you go far your postgrad!

As for travel, you may HAVE to go abroad for your postgrad, or at least to get supervised post qualification experience. After that, I'm not sure. I'd imagine you may have more travel opportunity in the engineering field. That's an uneducated guess though. Don't qoute me on it!

Money: Clinical, counselling and forensics offer good dollars. But it can't be all about the cash in these areas. Sports psychology may be good too. You'd have to consider England for this option though after your degree.

Business: Human resources would be interested in you as a graduate. The growing popularity of psychometrically sound psycological assessments for potential employees is also offers a business-type-orientation-situation.

To be honest, you really don't sound sure about anything college related. I mean this in a very positive way. Most LC students don't. I didn't. You're not suposed to. But at least you're thinking. Good man.

Best of luck.

TheNibbler

I'm just finishing up my Psychology degree and tbh I've never had the desire to work with special needs children or anything like that.

If you are interested in the business side of things then you can apply to do a postgrad in Occupational or Organisational Psychology (like I plan to!). That is also one of the shorter routes to a career in Psychology as its generally just a year long masters (although work experience can be an advantage).

Myksyk

With hard work and good results you can have plenty of options. Once you do your primary BA or Bsc Degree you can start to direct yourself towards a given speciality. You can work towards becoming any of the following:

Educational Psychologist
Clinical Psychologist
Forensic Psychologist
Counselling Psychologist
Health Psychologist
Neuropsychologist
Organisational Psychologist
In addition you could concentrate on academia (teaching and research).

Within any of these given specialisms there is a wide variety of choices to consider.

To give you just one example, if you chose to pursue Clinical you could eventually end up working in any of the following areas:

Child and Adolescent Services
Adult Mental Health
Learning Disability (Early Intervention, School Age or Adult services)
Older Adult Services
Specialist Services (like Abuse Services, Neuropsych Services)
In addition, a Clinical Psychologist might have the option to pursue a private practice as well as contribute to teaching/training on University Courses and do research.

Psychology offers a wide array of possible working environments to choose from.

Kooli

I won't bother discrediting the person who said you have to be interested in special needs children to do psychology, as that has been done already.

I would recommend a psychology degree to anyone who feels an inclination towards it, and that does not even mean you would definitely end up pursuing it as a career.

It is a brilliant degree, that teaches you to be a scientific and critical thinker, which is a skill that is valuable in ANY profession. Of the gang of us who graduated, most are psychologists or on the way to becoming psychologists (it can be a long road) and the money is pretty decent. Sports Psychology and Organisational Psychology are where the big money is at, and educational and clinical psychologists have great starting salaries. But again, we're talking about years of training.

Basically it's a brilliant degree that will teach you a lot about so much, and change the way you look at the world and the information you're given. In fact, you will probably not want to bullsh*t people anymore afterwards, because the truth is much more interesting.

Grimebox

I'm considering doing pyschology myself but I'm really bad at english... as in I've always struggled to pass honours english exams (failed it in my mocks and went on to get a D in the LC!). Do you think my under developed writing skills will hold me back? I have a massive interest in pyschology and i think if im that into it i could possibly over come this problem

Valmont

Kooli wrote: »

In fact, you will probably not want to bullsh*t people anymore afterwards, because the truth is much more interesting.

Well put.

Valmont

Grimebox wrote: »

I'm considering doing pyschology myself but I'm really bad at english... as in I've always struggled to pass honours english exams (failed it in my mocks and went on to get a D in the LC!). Do you think my under developed writing skills will hold me back? I have a massive interest in pyschology and i think if im that into it i could possibly over come this problem

I find that being able to write critically is a big part of studying psychology at undergraduate level. My English wasn't bad going into first year but the course has really helped me to improve. If you're interested, make sure you read as much as you can I'm sure you'll develop the skills you'll need along the way.