Psychology degree advice

[Librevore]

I am trying to decide between getting a degree in the field I am already in and am successful in or pursuing a whole new career path for the next half of life. There are good reasons to go either way.

If you are, or you know of someone who is, a psych major who is also retraining midstream, I would like imput on why you chose this field, will you get your masters or PHD, what are you planning to do with your degree eventually, and do you have any other advice for someone who would be older than the other graduates when seeking an internship.

Thank you so much in advance!!
Librevore

[Librevore]

I wanted to add that I know everyone is probably as busy as I am and this is a lot of info that I am asking for help with. I just appreciate ANY guidance or insights that you all may have. Thanks again everyone!

Librevore

[snazzlefrag]

I am trying to decide between getting a degree in the field I am already in and am successful in or pursuing a whole new career path for the next half of life. There are good reasons to go either way.

If you are, or you know of someone who is, a psych major who is also retraining midstream, I would like imput on why you chose this field, will you get your masters or PHD, what are you planning to do with your degree eventually, and do you have any other advice for someone who would be older than the other graduates when seeking an internship.

Thank you so much in advance!!
Librevore

Hi Kate,

I think you may have inadvertently limited the potential for feedback by restricting it to "if you are, or know of someone who is, a psych major who is also retraining midstream".


Here are some questions that came to mind when I read your post:

What would the degree in your current field be?
Would you be happy remaining in your current field?
Would there be any career benefit to earning a degree in your current field?
Are you content in your current career?
Would you be happier if you switch careers at this stage in your life?

Obviously, financial incentives might factor into your decision but, for me, the key issue should be: What will bring you the most personal satisfaction; sense of fulfillment, happiness, and contentedness?

I'm not sure how old you are exactly, but I would guess that you still have many years of life left in you. The best choice for you, will be the one that will allow you to make the most of the NEXT half of your life.

It's NEVER too late to alter the course of your life. If you have a vision and serious goals that you want to pursue, then I say go for it! Go after it with all the vim and vigor you can muster.

I don't want to be 90 years old, looking back at my life, and wondering "what if....", or thinking "if only....".

Carpe Diem Kate!

..And nobody cares if you are older than the rest of the interns! You will bring the kind of wisdom, maturity, and insight that no twenty year old kid possibly could.

If you have a desire and a passion to help people in need, I can think of no nobler goal than to pursue a "second half" career in Psychology.

But the bottom line is that YOU must make this decision!

What will bring you the most joy? What will allow you, in your old age, to look back on your life with a knowing smile and a contented heart?

If your answer compels you to stay in your current career, then go after a degree in that field...be the best that you can be in your current career.

If your answer urges you to walk down a new road, then take that path to wherever it leads you!

Either way, I wish you well.

Here's to knowing smiles and contented hearts!
hilarious

Snazzlefrag

[Librevore]

Hi Kate,

I think you may have inadvertently limited the potential for feedback by restricting it to "if you are, or know of someone who is, a psych major who is also retraining midstream".


Here are some questions that came to mind when I read your post:

What would the degree in your current field be?
Would you be happy remaining in your current field?
Would there be any career benefit to earning a degree in your current field?
Are you content in your current career?
Would you be happier if you switch careers at this stage in your life?

Obviously, financial incentives might factor into your decision but, for me, the key issue should be: What will bring you the most personal satisfaction; sense of fulfillment, happiness, and contentedness?...

Snazzlefrag

Snazz, you truly are the "lord" of the board. You're right. I needed to have shared more and limited less. I am always running too many miles an hour!

My current position is in business management/administration. I love what I do and am good at it. A degree wouldn't advance me any way except in personal satisfaction. I am already as high in this organization as I can go and don't really have an interest in going elsewhere to do the same thing. But obtaining a degree has always been a dream of mine and until recently I didn't know it was possible around my schedule. Which often entails 14 - 15 hour days instead of my usual 12. (This is part of why we are successful though.)

But I love people too. Truly love them. And am always being confided in and sought out for advice by, well, just about everyone who knows me. I would love to spend all day helping others. There is just way too much heartache in this old world. So now that I know that it might be possible to retrain I am wondering if that could eventually mean not only helping others but spending more time with family and friends than I am now able to. That sure would be wonderful.

Anyway, you are right. Only I can decide but I sure do appreciate the imput. You have given me some excellent questions to consider. And I do need to be careful. As of a couple of years ago, I had to become the primary breadwinner for our family due to some restructuring/downsizing that happened to my husband. He ended up losing everything he had ever worked for-retirement, insurance, everything. He is also older than I am. I am watching first hand how that is affecting him in the job market. So as much as my heart is leaping with new dreams I am trying to remember my responsibilities also. Hope that I haven't overshared! Promise not to do it again!!:o

Librevore

[Sammy]

Librevore,

I have the perfect example for you. A friend that I work with got a BS in Aviation Maintenance or Professional Aeronautics. Now he is working on a masters in psychology. I didn't think it could work that way. I figured the masters had to be similar to the Bachelors. He explained that the more different the masters degree, the broader the field of job options. He explained that his mechanical field with the psychology masters could set him up in a job doing psychological work in a mechanical field. Helping those returning from the war is an example. Being a psychologist in an area where people are unemployed may also be an example. Either way, the field has broadened. So you could finish your Bachelors degree and shift field with the masters degree. It my make you more valuable in the job market and broaden the jobs that you could work in. I may do something similar in the distant future. You never know where life may lead you. I could go for a masters in business, management, engineering, engineering managmement, theology, psychology, etc.

Just something to think about.:confused:

[Librevore]

Librevore,

I have the perfect example for you. A friend that I work with got a BS in Aviation Maintenance or Professional Aeronautics. Now he is working on a masters in psychology. I didn't think it could work that way. I figured the masters had to be similar to the Bachelors. He explained that the more different the masters degree, the broader the field of job options. He explained that his mechanical field with the psychology masters could set him up in a job doing psychological work in a mechanical field. Helping those returning from the war is an example. Being a psychologist in an area where people are unemployed may also be an example. Either way, the field has broadened. So you could finish your Bachelors degree and shift field with the masters degree. It my make you more valuable in the job market and broaden the jobs that you could work in. I may do something similar in the distant future. You never know where life may lead you. I could go for a masters in business, management, engineering, engineering managmement, theology, psychology, etc.

Just something to think about.:confused:

Sammy, bless you. I have NEVER heard this before. I always thought the same as you, that the batchelor's and master's had to be in the same field. This info. definately opens up some other possible directions. They say that, "There is much wisdom in a multitude of counselors." I think that you all are proving that.

Thank you!
Librevore

[siersema]

I've been looking at many graduate programs and have found it's unusual for the graduate degree to require a specific undergrad degree. What is common for some graduate degrees is that they will have specific pre-req courses, and if you don't have those required courses you'll have to take them prior to or during the graduate program. These are usually called bridge courses. From the degrees I've been looking at though even the bridge course requirement seems to be the minority. For the record I'm looking at IT & Business related graduate degrees and my undgrad will be a BS in Liberal Studies (with a CIS & Psychology focus).

[Librevore]

I've been looking at many graduate programs and have found it's unusual for the graduate degree to require a specific undergrad degree. What is common for some graduate degrees is that they will have specific pre-req courses, and if you don't have those required courses you'll have to take them prior to or during the graduate program. These are usually called bridge courses. From the degrees I've been looking at though even the bridge course requirement seems to be the minority. For the record I'm looking at IT & Business related graduate degrees and my undgrad will be a BS in Liberal Studies (with a CIS & Psychology focus).

Very interesting, Siersema. So if I knew which graduate school I was aiming for I could possibly make sure of getting those pre-reqs along the way. Or at least as many of them as possible. I've read on other threads that schools often change requirements. Anyway, from the sound of it from you and Sammy it is not all that uncommon to have the undergrad and grad degree different. This is great food for thought.

And looking at your game plan - I can see some real possibilities for you too.

Thank you!!

Librevore

[siersema]

Ah yes.. many possibilities for me.. maybe I could become a Therapist in the online mmorpg World of Warcraft, or uh treat the addicted gamers?... okay probably a bit to geeky .. back to reading...

[Urbannaja]

Ah yes.. many possibilities for me.. maybe I could become a Therapist in the online mmorpg World of Warcraft, or uh treat the addicted gamers?... okay probably a bit to geeky .. back to reading...

LOL...i just read about an actual treatment center for gaming addiction in the UK...