Assembling a Career Path

This course provided you an overview of the discipline of psychology, including expectations for the psychology major, career options for students completing a bachelor’s degree in psychology, and career options for students who pursue a graduate degree.

Review from the readings the information on career paths for psychologists and counselors and do some of your own research using credible sources. Drawing upon the information you collected and analyzed in previous assignments and research, write a paper that outlines the career path that you think is most suitable for you at this point in your educational experience.

Be as specific as possible and include each of the following items in your paper:

• Identify a career path and explain why it is a suitable choice.
• Identify the skills, experiences, and educational requirements for this path.
• Identify your strengths and weaknesses and explain how they relate to your chosen path.
• Describe skills and experiences you have already gained and the preparation you have already made.
• Describe skills, preparation, and experiences you still lack (e.g., research experience, volunteer work, and development of a professional network).
• Outline a clear plan (including a time line) for meeting these goals and gaining these skills and experiences. Do outside research to discuss specifically where you can gain these skills and experiences, how much it will cost, and how you plan to prioritize.
• Select and describe at least one professional organization that would be appropriate for you to join in your chosen career path and why it is the most appropriate. Identify the specific resources and standards it would provide you as a professional.
• Design a plan for how you will ensure ongoing personal and professional development throughout your career. Include in the plan strategies established by research studies that foster a balance between physical and mental health. Identify options for seeking continued professional education in your area of interest or specialization upon graduation (e.g., conferences and online continuing education programs for professionals). Be specific and cite at least two sources for your personal and professional development plan.

Display accurate spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Cite at least one academic source for each of the bulleted items in the list above. Be sure to demonstrate ethical scholarship in the accurate representation and attribution of sources.