Psychologists work in a variety of fields. Most people hear the word “psychologist” and automatically think of therapy, counseling, and Freud, but as we noted in Chapter 1, psychologists do much more than people commonly assume. Some conduct basic research, which often takes place in university laboratories and focuses on collecting data to support (or refute) theories. Others conduct applied research, which is more concerned with changing behaviors and outcomes, and often leads to real-world applications. Still other psychologists devote their careers to teaching at colleges and universities.
There is no shortage of psychology career paths. If you enter this field, plenty of choices will await you. But be aware that any career in psychology will require some degree of specialized education. The question is, how much are you willing and able to attain? For many students, the answer depends on age, family responsibilities, financial concerns, and life experiences. In psychology, there are three types of degrees you can consider at the undergraduate and graduate level: bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral.