People who are endlessly curious about all aspects of human behavior could be ideal candidates for a career in psychology. Professor Thomas Billimek of San Antonio College told the Ranger that such an interest in "the relationship between brain function and behavior and the environment and behavior" could open up a variety of employment paths. Clinical psychologists - the largest specialty - work in counseling centers, group practices, hospitals and clinics. They help people with physical or psychological conditions, provide therapy, and develop and implement treatment programs. Those who study psychology can also become career counselors, social workers, school psychologists, industrial-organizational psychologists, developmental psychologists, social psychologists or researchers. In addition to curiosity, psychologists should have sensitivity, compassion, strong communication skills, patience and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team. The most recent statistics from the Department of Labor indicate that clinical, counseling and school psychologists earn a median yearly salary of $59,440. The department also predicts faster than average employment growth in the period up to the end of 2016.  |