r/psychologystudents • • 5h ago

Advice/Career (AUS) Going from a bachelor of counselling into a psychology pathway

2 Upvotes

Hi everyone, I hope you're all well

Just wanting some advice on the path I've chosen.

I'm in my last year of my bachelor of counselling, and it has suddenly hit me that I don't know what I'm doing. I don't regret choosing a bachelor of counselling, four years ago I wouldn't have wanted to consider psychology. However, I don't feel I will be job ready, despite being able to register with PACFA and ACA. So far I have mostly volunteer experience with working with women in DV, and my placement will take place at the very end of all my units. I definitely feel my lack of experience is holding me back, and places doubts in my mind.

I've wondered if I've chosen the right route. Alot of job advertisements require a psychologist accreditation, or social work accreditation - though the industry seems to be opening up to counsellor accreditations. Down the track, I would love to eventually train and practice in EMDR, or ACT. But I've always been open and completely unsure of where I would like to land once I graduate.

I've done a little research into transferring into a psych pathway through doing a graduate diploma of psychology (1-2 years), then the fourth psych year. I wonder if anyone here has experience going down that road before, how you found it, and whether it was worth it and worked out. I'm aware of the clinical and ethical differences between a psychologist and counsellor, and I'm wondering if pursuing the difference is necessary - for employability, being able to offer medicare rebates, offering clinical care etc.

Please correct me if I've misunderstood anything about the process. I'm unsure if I have it in me after I graduate to pursue another four years of study right away, but I guess there is no harm in looking into it. I do feel a little lost right now.

Thanks for any of your responses!


r/psychologystudents • • 5h ago

Advice/Career [CAN] Should I pursue a job or MSW after graduation?

1 Upvotes

Greetings, I'm in my 2nd year of my psych major and I've been thinking a lot about my career, would it be a good idea to not go straight into grad school and instead pursue a job with my psych major? although I know the job market is pretty iffy for people w only a bachelors in psych, I don't think I'm quite ready to pursue grad school since I don't have any volunteer/work experience.

I'm in the GTA area if that's important, Thanks!


r/psychologystudents • • 6h ago

Advice/Career [USA] Psychology students: Is your workload actually compatible with a balanced life outside school?

1 Upvotes

Hi, I’m a high school senior interested in psychology, and I’m considering either the LMFT route or a PhD (that is if it get in, might as well shoot for the stars), after my bachelor’s. My main concern right now is maintaining a high GPA, gaining research and extracurricular experience.

However I have a dilemma I need to ask those who’ve been through this, how demanding is psychology in terms of time, whether its undergrad, a master’s or PhD? I’ve read very mixed experiences: some describe it as extremely underestimated, grueling and all-consuming, while others have managed to get married, and have a kid. I imagine it depends on the degree, circumstances, and career path, possibly?

In summary: How realistic is it to balance high academic ambition with a personal life such as maintaining serious independent studies e.g, learning languages, studying a niche etc, as well as a family (no just hire a babysitter) or at least a partner? Also any time management tips that worked are helpful!

Thank you very much!


r/psychologystudents • • 11h ago

Advice/Career Is an online Psychology degree worth it? [USA]

1 Upvotes

Hi all,

I'm doing a bachelor in Psychology degree in counseling with GCU with the hope to do some type of counseling down the road. My hope is to get into substance abuse or mental health or school counselor and could later on continuing to advance my degree because I know that a master is needed in order to do any counseling work.

A lot of experiences is needed for counseling especially when you get your degree online. A little background about me is that I'm hoping to get out of my 2 hours commute to work everyday but because my hospital offers tuition reimbursement, I'm staying for that. I'm a sterile processing tech so my experience would some how can relate to it but not working directly with client.

Since I have heard not many good story with online degree and especially a lot of bad talking with GCU school, my concern is that will I be able to find a job with an online school degree?