A career in psychology can be both personally and professionally rewarding. Psychologists help people cope with mental and emotional stresses in their lives, build healthier relationships, and overcome challenges. But becoming a psychologist takes hard work, dedication, and a desire to help others.
If you’re thinking about a career in psychology, there’s a lot you need to know. Here are some questions to ask a psychologist about their career to help you decide if it’s the right path for you.
60 Questions you can ask a psychologist about their career:
- What inspired you to become a psychologist?
- How many years of education and training did it take to become a practicing psychologist?
- Can you tell me about your daily work life? What does a typical day look like for you?
- What is the most rewarding part of your job?
- And on the flip side, what is the most challenging part of your job?
- Who do you typically see as patients or clients?
- What types of issues or challenges do you help your patients or clients with?
- Can you share a success story with me – someone who made significant progress working with you?
- How do you measure success in your field?
- Are there any risks associated with being a psychologist that people should be aware of?
- What are the best and worst parts of your job?
- Would you recommend psychology as a career to someone else considering it? Why or why not?
- What are some common misconceptions about psychologists and psychology that you encounter in your line of work?
- Do you have any advice for aspiring psychologists out there who are just starting out in their careers?
- What are some of the biggest challenges facing psychologists today? And how do you see the profession changing in the coming years?
- What is your favorite thing about being a psychologist?
- How did you decide that you wanted to become a psychologist?
- What is the biggest misconception about psychologists?
- What kind of work do you see yourself doing in 5 years? 10 years?
- What is your favorite memory or case from your time as a psychologist?
- What do you think are the most important qualities for success as a psychologist?
- What graduate programs did you apply to and why did you choose the one you attended?
- How has your experience as a psychologist changed since you first started working in the field?
- Are there any cases or populations that you particularly enjoy working with? Why?
- How do you think psychology will change in the next 10-20 years?
- Is there anything about your job that surprised you when you first started working? (e.g., long hours, on-call shifts, etc.)
- Do you know of any resources (books, websites, etc.) that students could use to learn more about psychology careers?
- What do you think are the most important methods for studying psychology?
- What do you think are the most important findings in psychology?
- What do you think are the most important applications of psychology?
- What do you think are the most important challenges in psychology?
- What do you think are the most important ethical considerations in psychology?
- What do you think are the most important research methods in psychology?
- What do you think are the most important statistical methods in psychology?
- What do you think are the most important theoretical perspectives in psychology?
- What do you think are the most important topics of research in psychology?
- How did you choose your specialization within psychology?
- How has your career in psychology evolved over time?
- What have been the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your career as a psychologist?
- What have been the highlights of your career as a psychologist?
- What are some of the most important things you’ve learned in your career?
- What do you think are the most important methods for treating psychological disorders?
- What do you think are the most important methods for preventing psychological disorders?
- What do you think is the most important factor in determining whether someone will develop a psychological disorder?
- What do you think is the most important factor in determining whether someone will recover from a psychological disorder?
- What do you think are the most important factors in determining how well someone will respond to treatment for a psychological disorder?
- What do you think are the most important factors in determining how long it will take someone to recover from a psychological disorder?
- What do you think is the most important factor in determining whether someone will relapse after recovering from a psychological disorder?
- What do you think are the most important methods for reducing the risk of relapse after recovering from a psychological disorder?
- What do you think is the most important method for maintaining recovery after recovering from a psychological disorder?
- What do you think are the most important methods for helping someone who is struggling with a psychological disorder?
- What do you think is the best way to find a qualified psychologist?
- How can family and friends best support someone who is struggling with a psychological disorder?
- What should someone do if they feel like they might be developing a psychological disorder?
- What is your educational background in psychology?
- What do you think sets psychology apart from other mental health professions?
- What do you think is the most important thing that psychology research has taught us?
- What do you think are the most important skills for a psychologist?
- What do you think psychologists can do to help people live happier, healthier lives?
- What do you think is the most important thing that people should know about psychology?
Frequently Asked Questions
What skills do you need to be a psychologist?
The skills necessary to be a psychologist include critical thinking, problem-solving, strong communication skills, and the ability to empathize with others.
What qualities do you need to be a psychologist?
The qualities that are necessary to be a psychologist are empathy, intelligence, and understanding. A psychologist must be able to understand the patient and their problems and have the intelligence to be able to treat them. They must also be able to have empathy for the patient and understand what they are going through.
How do I start a career in psychology?
The first steps include studying psychology at the undergraduate or graduate level, completing an internship or volunteering in a psychology-related field, and networking with professionals in the field.
Conclusion
Psychology is an incredibly rewarding field, but it’s important that you approach it with your eyes wide open. These questions will help you better understand what it’s really like to be a psychologist and decide if it’s the right path for you.
