Today, the profession of a psychologist is becoming increasingly popular. Many organizations hire a full-time psychologist; this position is mandatory in kindergartens and schools. It is not surprising that there are many young people who want to enroll in the Faculty of Psychology, both after the ninth and after the eleventh grade. In this article you will learn what subjects you need to take to become a psychologist when entering a technical school or university. You will become aware of what qualities define a good psychologist. Find out what specialized areas there are and where guys who have studied in the relevant specialty can work.
Pros and cons of the profession
The positive aspects of working as a psychologist include:
- the opportunity to understand your life and find harmony;
- the ability to provide professional assistance to people from close circles;
- the opportunity to learn new things and develop comprehensively;
- Demand for the profession – the opportunity to find a job after graduating from university;
- with constant self-development and improvement of your professional skills - good competitiveness.
The disadvantages of choosing this specialty include:
- the presence of great responsibility for the psychological health of the patient (the advice given can affect the person’s future, including causing harm);
- the need to be prepared to accept the point of view of another person, even if it completely contradicts your personal views;
- inability to refuse to solve the problem faced by the patient;
- empathy for the tragedy of the person who has applied, which can lead to personal problems and depression in a specialist if he is inexperienced and does not yet know how to let go of what he has heard.
Who is a psychologist
A psychologist is a specialist focused on helping other people. He has a pronounced humanitarian orientation and puts the interests of the people who turn to him for support first.
It is necessary to dispel the main myths associated with the personality of a psychology specialist:
- It is generally accepted that this is a person who has the ability to see through others. But it is impossible to fully understand the inner world of people; it is necessary to be in constant movement towards knowledge and creative development.
- These are special people, gifted by nature with understanding of others. But it is impossible to achieve success in the profession without developing communication, understanding and empathy skills.
- They have the ability to control people's behavior and feelings. Possessing individual methods of influencing the behavior of others, a true specialist does not abuse them. With their help, he tries to create an atmosphere of goodwill and trust, without seeking power over others.
- A true professional knows himself well and always maintains his cool. But a psychologist cannot be called a superman; he only knows methods of self-regulation and is constantly engaged in self-improvement and self-knowledge.
- This is a person of great intelligence and vast life experience, capable of showing the right path to achieving the desired results. But professionals should not impose their life perception and act as a shepherd. It is necessary to strive to help a person find his own path.
What to take upon admission
You have already decided on the choice of your future work activity, now it is important to know what exams are needed to become a psychologist. Even if you still have a whole year ahead of you before admission, today you need to understand which school subjects you should pay attention to.
After ninth grade
Not everyone knows, but after leaving school after 9th grade, you can already take a direction in the field of psychology. Finding a technical school or college where you can study to become a psychologist is difficult. In the best case, you will be able to receive a general education program, accompanied by an in-depth study of psychology, followed by preferential admission to a university. Such colleges usually require passing:
- Russian language;
- biology;
- social studies;
- algebra.
You have a backup option - enroll in a medical educational institution, study, for example, to become a nurse or paramedic, and then enter the university to become a psychologist, on preferential terms. To enter medical college, you will need to pass the following exams:
- Russian language;
- mathematics;
- chemistry;
- biology.
After eleventh grade
If you plan to enroll after 11th grade, then for the EGE, you need to choose the following subjects:
- Russian;
- biology (major subject);
- mathematics.
Some universities may require an exam result in social studies. Therefore, it is better, having previously decided on a university, to find out which exams are preferable in this particular educational institution. In addition, some universities may require writing an essay with psychological content. It is also possible to have an interview during which the admissions committee will be interested in your personal qualities.
If you decide to learn a new profession, but graduated from school a long time ago, then you should know that in order to enroll as a psychologist, you will have to take the EGE along with school graduates.
Where can a psychologist work?
Depending on the education received, a psychologist can work in educational institutions, government and commercial enterprises, rehabilitation centers and medical services. institutions, armed forces and law enforcement agencies.
For specialists in the field of psychology, many paths are open for professional growth and material well-being.
Choosing a university
When choosing an educational institution, find out which one suits you best. Here it is worth taking into account both its territorial location and the availability of a good hostel; if you are going to study in another city, it would not be a bad idea to read the reviews of those who studied there.
If we consider Moscow, the best universities where you can get a diploma in psychology are:
- Institute of Practical Psychology and Psychoanalysis;
- State Academic University of Humanities;
- Moscow State University named after Lomonosov;
- Russian State Social University;
- Institute of Psychology named after. Vygotsky.
Psychological colleges after 9th and 11th grades in St. Petersburg
| College name | Name of specialization and type of psychology |
| College "Star" | Specialization “commercial (corporate) psychology” |
| College "Krasnoselsky" | Specialization “commercial (corporate) psychology” |
| Institute of Secondary Vocational Education of Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University | Specialization “commercial (corporate) psychology” |
| College of St. Petersburg University of Management Technologies and Economics | Specialization “commercial (corporate) psychology” |
| College of Tourism and Hotel Services | Specialization “commercial (corporate) psychology” |
| St. Petersburg Technical College of Management and Commerce | Specialization “commercial (corporate) psychology” |
| Medical School of the Institute of Nursing Education of the First St. Petersburg State Medical University named after Academician I.P. Pavlova | Specializations “General Medicine” and “Nursing” for the study of clinical psychology |
| Medical College named after V.M. Bekhterev | Specializations “General Medicine” and “Nursing” for the study of clinical psychology |
| Leningrad Regional Medical College | Specializations “General Medicine” and “Nursing” for the study of clinical psychology |
| Midwifery College | Specializations “General Medicine” and “Nursing” for the study of clinical psychology |
| Medical College of St. Petersburg State University | Specializations “General Medicine” and “Nursing” for the study of clinical psychology |
| Medical College No. 9 | Specializations “General Medicine” and “Nursing” for the study of clinical psychology |
| St. Petersburg Medical College of St. Petersburg State Transport University of Emperor Alexander I | Specializations “General Medicine” and “Nursing” for the study of clinical psychology |
| Medical College No. 1 | Specializations “General Medicine” and “Nursing” for the study of clinical psychology |
| Paramedic College | Specializations “General Medicine” and “Nursing” for the study of clinical psychology |
| St. Petersburg Medical and Technical College of the Federal Medical and Biological Agency | Specializations “General Medicine” and “Nursing” for the study of clinical psychology |
| Medical College No. 2 | Specializations “General Medicine” and “Nursing” for the study of clinical psychology |
| College of Physical Culture and Sports, Economics and Technology of St. Petersburg State University | Specialization "physical culture" for sports psychology |
| St. Petersburg Olympic Reserve School No. 2 (technical school) | Specialization "physical culture" for sports psychology |
| College of Leningrad State University named after A.S. Pushkin | Specialization “educational psychology (by industry)”, “physical education” (specialization - sports psychology), study of social and penitentiary psychology, gerontopsychology (psychology of older people), psychology of deviant behavior |
| Pedagogical College No. 8 | Specialization “educational psychology (by industry)” |
| Pedagogical College No. 1 named after. ON THE. Nekrasova | Specialization “special (correctional) psychology”, educational psychology (by industry) |
| Pedagogical College No. 8 | Specialization "special (correctional) psychology" |
| Pedagogical College No. 4 of St. Petersburg | Specialization “special (correctional) psychology”, educational psychology (by industry) |
| Polytechnic College of Urban Affairs | Specializations in psychology of internal affairs bodies (criminologist, legal or penitentiary psychologist) |
| St. Petersburg Technical College of Management and Commerce | Specializations in psychology of internal affairs bodies (criminologist, legal or penitentiary psychologist) |
| St. Petersburg Police College | Specializations in psychology of internal affairs bodies (criminologist, legal or penitentiary psychologist) |
| Polytechnic College of Urban Affairs | Specializations in psychology of internal affairs bodies (criminologist, legal or penitentiary psychologist) |
| Faculty of Continuing Education of the North-Western Branch of the Russian State University of Justice | Specializations in psychology of internal affairs bodies (criminologist, legal or penitentiary psychologist) |
Required personal qualities
A good psychologist must have a number of special qualities.
It is important to understand that in order to become a psychologist, it is not always enough to study at university. Here, as in any professional industry, there are a number of qualities, the presence of which will help make you a good specialist. Next, we will talk about what traits you need to have in order to confidently step into the profession of a psychologist.
- Love for continuous learning. The profession in question presupposes the need for regular self-development, expanding one’s knowledge, techniques, and mastering new practices.
- Friendliness, ability to find a common language with any person.
- Persuasiveness. The ability to convey your thoughts to the listener.
- Responsible attitude towards your business.
- Tolerance, the ability not to judge people for their actions or thoughts.
- The ability to correctly express your emotions.
- Having empathy, the ability to empathize with other people.
- Ability to be a good listener. For many patients who find themselves in a psychologist’s office, it is important to be listened to and shown sympathy, sometimes they simply have no one with whom they can share their pain and relieve the psychological burden.
- Lack of xenophobia.
If you do not currently have the above qualities, you still have enough time to develop new skills and work through fears, if any.
Career growth of a psychologist
Today, the profession of psychologist is quite in demand. Career growth is available to specialists seeking self-improvement and professional success.
Achieving the level of a highly qualified specialist is possible only with constant development and training.
A professional who has made a name for himself can count on promotion and the creation of a private office.
Directions in training
Many applicants do not even realize that when choosing the profession of a psychologist, they still have to choose a narrow direction. Next, we will look at what psychology options will open to you:
- clinical - the study of psychology based on its relationship with various diseases;
- special - the study of deviant behavior of people, the reasons for its occurrence, preventive measures;
- official activities - such a specialist is involved in personnel selection, assessing the health of the team, and carries out rehabilitation measures;
- consulting and coaching – help in difficult life situations, guidance on the right path;
- socio-psychological work – social support of the population, implementation of social services;
- psychological and pedagogical education – training of specialists responsible for the psychological behavior and development of children, their adaptation.
What kinds of psychologists are there?
Modern psychology includes the following sections:
- General , called theoretical or experimental, deals with the study of general laws related to human mental activity.
- Practical psychology - develops methods of psychological assistance and is aimed at specific assistance in resolving a person’s professional and life problems.
Practical psychologists are divided according to the areas in which they work. The direction directly depends on the tasks being solved.
A clinical psychologist studies and diagnoses personality. It helps to cope with the consequences of physical and psychological violence, influencing the unconscious, the inner world of a person. Clinical psychology is closely related to psychiatry, but does not treat mentally ill patients.
A legal psychologist deals with psychological issues related to the system of rights. There are several branches of legal psychology:
- judicial;
- criminal;
- corrective labor
A social psychologist helps an individual establish relationships with society and studies socio-psychological phenomena in groups. The psychology of work activity, which studies the behavioral reactions of an individual to stress, is similar to social psychology.
Such specialists are needed in security forces and law enforcement agencies, where employees often face critical situations.
A specialist working in the field of child psychology provides assistance in the development of a child until adolescence. It helps the child adapt to various conditions, helps in upbringing, and provides support in difficult conditions.
Places of future work
Working with children in kindergarten is one of the possible places of work for a psychologist.
Many might have the impression that after graduation they will be able to go into private practice. However, not all graduates open their offices and begin private receptions. Most go to government agencies to gain experience; in the future, they have the prospect of moving to private firms and opening their own practice. In any case, you should not worry that, having received a diploma in psychology, you will have serious difficulties finding a job. So specialists of the chosen profession are needed:
- at the university (you can stay at the same educational institution where you previously studied, or become a teacher for new students yourself);
- in the prosecutor's office or police (adequate psychological health of employees and strengthening of discipline are very important);
- in clinics and hospitals – restoring psychological health in patients and their relatives, maintaining the well-being of employees;
- in the education system (in schools, kindergartens, colleges, universities) - providing psychological support to students;
- in organizations and firms - professional support from a psychologist may be needed by an employee of an organization of any type.
Knowing what you need to take for a psychologist, you can delve into the study of these subjects in advance. Remember that many educational institutions have preparatory courses where you can brush up on relevant subjects. When choosing the profession of a psychologist, be prepared to communicate with people, meet their problems, be able to listen, and help.
How to become a consultant
First of all, you need to take care of getting basic education in this area. Then you need to undergo additional training at an institution that trains counseling specialists. Remember, obtaining this specialization requires regular practice. You should start training first of all on yourself, identifying and considering your own problems.
Face-to-face consultation
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Skype consultation
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Only after all the techniques have been worked out and brought to perfection can you find a job. Over time, the level of professionalism will increase, which will make it possible to think about private practice.
How to become a psychotherapist without medical help. education
The professional development of a psychologist can occur according to two branches of training: medical and humanitarian. It is enough for a general specialist to be a humanist. He will be able to work in a school, kindergarten, private company or research institute, that is, consult, provide psychological support, but not correct mental disorders. Only an educated physician can be an employee of healthcare institutions.
Who is it suitable for?
Both men and women work in military psychologist positions, and with the transfer of functions to civilian personnel, there are more women than men. There is no significant physical activity in this job, but there is constant psychological stress, which requires the employee to have high resistance to stress.
Regular work outside of normal working hours is not suitable for those whose presence is constantly required at home. At the same time, the activities of a military psychologist allow for professional self-realization and improve the skills of a specialist in a wide range of psychological issues.
Short description
A military psychologist must know well not only his profession, but also the peculiarities of the organization of the internal life of soldiers and officers: everyday life, duties, hierarchy. Constantly monitors military personnel, conducts various types of questionnaires, tests and surveys, and also performs subsequent analysis of the information received.
He independently plans his activities and makes decisions, but coordinates all actions with senior management, which is the basis for clear and correct work. Has deep, up-to-date knowledge of psychology, possesses skills characteristic of the military: taciturnity, diligence, strict subordination, discipline. These specialists have no right to make mistakes, because the latter destabilizes the team and can lead to dire consequences.
