Are there any Psychology jobs???

louise1021 · 07-08-2009, 17:35

My boyfriend recently finished up his B.A in Psychology in U.C.D, and the graduation ceremony will be in December. The problem is he can't seem to get a job anywhere because nowadays most places are looking for 4+ years experience in a certain field. I can understand that a certain level of experience is needed for the more sensitive or difficult aspects of the job, but I can't understand how he is ever going to be able to get experience as a psychologist if he needs experience to get the job in the first place! Does anyone know of any places at the minute who are prepared to hire graduates with little or no experience? My boyfriend says that maybe he will try to do some volunteer work as a way to get some experience which is a really good idea, but in reality he can't really work for free for 4+ years especially in the current climate.....

hotspur · 08-08-2009, 01:04

Your boyfriend isn't considered a psychologist yet, he isn't qualified to do anything at all with only an undergraduate degree. It's not a question of getting years of experience, it's a question of getting qualified to do a job. He needs to do postgraduate study if he wishes to become a psychologist.

What does he actually want do? Even if he sets his heart on becoming, say, a clinical psychologist he has pretty much no chance of getting onto such a programme straight out of college as an undergraduate. It's harsh but that's the reality. The truth is his degree as it stands qualifies to do about as much as an English or history degree would. He needs to do postgraduate training in a particular field.

sambuka41 · 09-08-2009, 12:34

Your boyfriend isnt a psychologist but he can get work in social care. There is loads of jobs that he can apply for, work with people with disablilities, in the community, homeless sector (where i am currently working while i build up a decent portfolio for further study!!), drug treatment, with the elderly.

Tell him to check out activelink.ie they have a good few jobs advertised at the moment. But important not to be too picky, its all experience. And like anyone leaving college the wages are not going to be briliant straight away.

Tell him best of luck!!! The hard work will pay off.

xochillixo · 21-08-2009, 13:41

im about 2 start a long road of psychology and my fathr is an educational psychologist in the west... one thing is for certain u wont get any where in the field without extensive education.... would he consider doing a mastrs???

07-08-2009, 17:35	#1
louise1021 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 1 Adverts \| Friends	Are there any Psychology jobs??? My boyfriend recently finished up his B.A in Psychology in U.C.D, and the graduation ceremony will be in December. The problem is he can't seem to get a job anywhere because nowadays most places are looking for 4+ years experience in a certain field. I can understand that a certain level of experience is needed for the more sensitive or difficult aspects of the job, but I can't understand how he is ever going to be able to get experience as a psychologist if he needs experience to get the job in the first place! Does anyone know of any places at the minute who are prepared to hire graduates with little or no experience? My boyfriend says that maybe he will try to do some volunteer work as a way to get some experience which is a really good idea, but in reality he can't really work for free for 4+ years especially in the current climate.....

09-08-2009, 12:34	#3
sambuka41 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Rathmines,my spiritual home Posts: 102 Adverts \| Friends	Your boyfriend isnt a psychologist but he can get work in social care. There is loads of jobs that he can apply for, work with people with disablilities, in the community, homeless sector (where i am currently working while i build up a decent portfolio for further study!!), drug treatment, with the elderly. Tell him to check out activelink.ie they have a good few jobs advertised at the moment. But important not to be too picky, its all experience. And like anyone leaving college the wages are not going to be briliant straight away. Tell him best of luck!!! The hard work will pay off. Last edited by sambuka41; 09-08-2009 at 12:59.

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08-08-2009, 01:04	#2
hotspur Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 2,615 Adverts \| Friends	Your boyfriend isn't considered a psychologist yet, he isn't qualified to do anything at all with only an undergraduate degree. It's not a question of getting years of experience, it's a question of getting qualified to do a job. He needs to do postgraduate study if he wishes to become a psychologist. What does he actually want do? Even if he sets his heart on becoming, say, a clinical psychologist he has pretty much no chance of getting onto such a programme straight out of college as an undergraduate. It's harsh but that's the reality. The truth is his degree as it stands qualifies to do about as much as an English or history degree would. He needs to do postgraduate training in a particular field.

21-08-2009, 13:41	#4
xochillixo Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Castlebar, Mayo Posts: 69 Adverts \| Friends	im about 2 start a long road of psychology and my fathr is an educational psychologist in the west... one thing is for certain u wont get any where in the field without extensive education.... would he consider doing a mastrs???