career choice

last SG · 2007-10-19T14:29:08+00:00

If you are sure that the potential as a personal banker is there, you should stick to it and not lose faith in it. Since you've just began this position for...

naruto77 SG

i am in a dilemma whether i should switch career or not

i am now with UOB working as a Personal Banker

i have only joined for 6 months, so far job satisfaction is low

the pay is not amazing too. i know some bankers take home can be 10k a month

however for new ones such as myself it's difficult to even try to take home more than 3k

but the potential is there

recently i have another job offer with school for the autistic as an associate psychologist

considering that it is more aligned to my future aspiration i am considering a switch

however the compensation is terrible, i am trying to push for a 2350 a month now

but they mentioned before that they offer 2.3k max

should i switch? i dun really intend to work with kids in the long run, but i thot this is a good stepping stone, and i seem to have wasted alot of time trying out different careers...

pls, i need a 2nd, 3rd, etc opinion

if u r going to be childish about ur response than save it. and another thing is, even psychologist needs opinions from others and a listening ear as well, we aren't God

we do however provide good listening ear, and therapies to modify ur cognition or behaviors

thats the only difference

and of course we are more sensitive to you as a human being too

mikairis SG

that makes the both of us

do i know you? you seem disturbingly familiar

ILPSY SG

It really depends on what your aspiration is.

Is it $ or is it something else (which is related to psychology)?

If it is going to be $$$, then, I seriously won't do the switch.

If it is going to be job satisfaction derived from helping others, then, it would be a good switch.

Besides thinking for yourself, do you think you are being fair to the autistic kids if you are not going to do your best for them?

Cheers.

walesa SG

naturo77, what qualifications do you possess?

blu_sky SG

what did you study, what qualification you have?
what do you enjoy doing and
what do you aspire to be?

naruto77 SG

u make an extremely good point... too good in fact that it made me feel ashamed of myself...

its as though as completely forgot what the path was intended for

ILPSY are u a practicing psych?

BadzMaro SG

Finally.. a non-relationship related problem.

You cant keep comparing other people in the same line as you getting a higher salary. Then is then for them.. now is now for you.

Seeing that its stable , so it may be harder for you to move up as the ones up there tend to not move unless replaced.

Well , sometimes earning more and hating the job gives u more stress.. and u will spend your money to destress.. or not live long enough to use any of your hard-earned money. However , if psychology is more to ur aspirations... then perhaps by working hard , having passion in your work you may make it big someday. This kind of thing is hard to say , even harder to predict.

You dont need really need to be a psychologist to be sensitive to other human beings and feelings. Smoke a bit of pot will give u that too. And u dun need a degree. LOL!

k k ..i was kidding about the last part.

naruto77 SG

i graduated with a Bachelors in Psychology and a Bachelors in Business Management with specialization in Finance and Economics

my aspiration is to be a Clinical Psychologist (private practice eventually)

i would like to work with people who struggles with personality disorders, depressions, suicide, and sociopathology

i had a brief stint in Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital

a German based hospital but i was working in the US branch

as a counselor to schizophrenics patient

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I don't enjoy to work for $$$$; however my recent predicament have somewhat pressurized me to take money into consideration

my family need some financial assistance

if opportunity permits i would like to get a PsyD in Clinical Health Psychology and Clinical Neuropsych

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pls note, my credentials can be deceiving. as i am still undergrowing the process of growth, so many things still not very stable yet

browniebaobao SG

if it's something that u really want to do, then go for it..

if i were u, i will choose the latter..

bcos i like to see children smile..

u will definitely get a sense of achievement and satisfaction if u can help the children find their happiness and regain their smiles..

blu_sky SG

sorry, i am not from your line. am wondering, can you be a psycologist and eventually have your own private practice by holding a first degree? is there a need to further your studies?

naruto77 SG

it really depends on which country u r from

but in the USA u need a PhD or a PsyD to be a licensed practicing psychologist

masters degree in clinical psych allows u to be a licensed therapist, but not a psychologist

bachelors level u can only be a counselor

u need APA (American Psychological Association) accredtion for the above academic mentioned

also it varies which area of psychology u go into, u may need addition licensure (ABA) Applied Behavioral Analyst, (LMFT) Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, (LCPC) Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, (LHA) Licensed Healers of the Arts, (LCH) Licensed Clinical Hypnotherapist, Psychotherapist (in Logotherapy, Adlerian Humanistic Therapy), Psychoanalysis, etc. and many more depending on ur specialization.

I just want a PsyD (Doctor of Psychology - Clinical)

in Australia

u can be a practicing psychologist with just a masters, u just need to register urself with the APS (Australian Psychological Society) and ur school must be accredited by the APAC (Australian Psychological Accredition Council)

in Britain

its the same with Aus, except that they have their own Psychological Council and research foundation

in Singapore

it follows the Aus and the Brits, u can be a psychologist with masters but with undergrad u can only register urself as an Associate Psychologist and not as a Full Psychologist with the SPS

i however have heard that some NUS grad was employed by the governement to work as Psychologist in the governement sector, i don't know how it works, but the last i know NUS Psych program was still behind in terms of academia, research and training compared to other schools

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usually people who practice privately in America have a PhD or PsyD,

in Aus and Brit at least masters

in Singapore the senior psychologist that currently works in the school for the autistic only have a bachelors and she practice privately for many years

depends on experience and comfortability and country i guess

CoolMyth SG

As with all important matters, just follow your heart. Wink

blu_sky SG

The job opportunity, i believe, would be more aligned to what you would like to do eventually. Money is really not attractive, yes, but career advancement is there i believe.

I'm also a person who didnt work just for money. I enjoyed my job, thats why i worked hard. But as we grow older, there are commitments and responsibilities that we gotta assume, like family commitments.

That said, good opportunities are hard to come by. Guess you have to weigh if the financial help your family need is pressing and if by following your heart, would there be ways to still fulfill family commitments. Try to balance both.

Keep a clear mind and hope you make a sound decision! Wink

ILPSY SG

I am not a practising psychology even though I graduated with a BSc in Psy. The reason why I am not in this practice is that I don't think I can commit myself fully into this field.
There is a friend of mine who is in this field. However, every 2 years or so, she will change to a completely different field and then, go back to Psy. field again. The reason being, she suffers burnt-out from the job.

So, its indeed a tiring and mentally stressful job for some.

So, I advise you to think carefully.

ILPSY SG

Most companies, including government sectors and research industry, require at least an Honours degree. The only place that employs a BSc holder is SGH neurology department.

Hope this information helps for those who wants to practise Psychology.

AndrewPKYap SG

How about joining the casino industry as a gambling addiction counselor?

naruto77 SG

not qualified enough i think. i would assume they need at least a master in clinical psych with licensure in Applied Behavioral Analysis

but i will once i get equipped

seriously a Bachelors in Psych, Honors or not, really doesnt qualify someone with enough training to warrant a professional practice, but it's just my opinion.

i mean i have 1 year research experience on child psych, did 2 Thesis on depression, suicidal ideation and personality traits, 6 months of professional practice, and i still feel inadequate

in fact as ILPSY mentioned i only lasted 6 months, cuz i under estimated the emotional strain of the job.

its really depressing to be in a psychiatric hospital, talking to the patient was also quite sad

sometimes i catch myself in a situation where i also dunno what to say...

than u have emergency cases where patients attempts suicide, or refuse meds...

i think the addiction will not be as strainous, but let me equip myself properly first before i take on that challenge, but eventually that will be an area that i will go into with Behavioral Therapy

AndrewPKYap SG

oh please lah… don’t procrastinate… seek them out and send them an application… the HR won’t know head or tails… and with your background, you can read up what you need to know.

naruto77 SG

u sure anot? they won't know?

they'll probably get their Chief Psychologist to interview me lor

but i think u may be right ba. maybe i should try

haha... is it NCPG? National Council for Problem Gambling?

udontknowme SG

if this is the way things are done in singapore, im not surprised things are so fucked up there
and im not surprised either why all the school counsellors are so lousy and cmi.what kind of training have they received? i knew someone who was going to be a teacher. i saw her booklet from MOE (or wherever it is they go to 'study' on how to become a teacher). i flipped to the section on teenage psychology. and it's literally all BS.

come on TS, u have a degree in psych. think about the impact u will have on whoever it is that you are counselling. and if u really are not qualified, u probably will just fuck pple up more. and sometimes reading isnt going to help u for everything. there is a reason why practicing psychologists (in most countries) have to do a period of training first.

it's only 6 months at the bank. most people dont earn big bucks after just working at some place for 6 months. and besides, u said that there's potential there to earn more after some time. is it really that bad? is it really stressful? how about part time tuition on the weekends? with a degree, u can earn quite a lot per hour.