Career or Not?

[~Beauty_from_Pain~]

I'm a junior getting my BA in psychology. My question is, how does one decide wether or not to continue to go for a PhD? How do you know if you are "up to the task." As a person who also has a stuttering problem, is it possible for me to make it through the programs? Is this a career that I should even be looking at? I really want to help people and I love the whole clinical aspect of it, but I find it often hard to study and stay focused. Is this just how it goes? Do any of you struggle with remembering/focusing on things related to your major?

 

[fishstix]

A really good start is to go and talk with a course advisor at your university to find out what is involved in getting a PhD and whether he/she thinks that program would be a good fit for you.

Chances are that you will need to get your MA before you get your PhD. Most master's degrees are somewhat easier than the following PhD. But they do give you a good idea of what grad studies is like, especially since you will likely end up meeting a lot of PhD students. So you might want to first decide whether or not to get your MA and then make the decision on whether or not to go for a PhD once you are close to having the MA. Again, a good place to start is by talking to an advisor at your university.

I don't think that stuttering would prevent you from getting through the PhD program. Studying/focussing would probably be a bigger issue, but if you've been able to get through your BA with decent grades, then you should have a reasonably good chance of getting through grad school as well.

 

[ChristianTherapist]

Actually your stuttering problem will prevent you from being successful in a clinical position which is why you should get some speech therapy to eliminate the problem.One of the world's greatest evangelists,Dr.Oral Roberts used to have the problem so badly,he could barely speak at all.

Your other problems of remembering what you read and failing to concentrate properly can be improved by following the instructions in a memory improvement book which any large bookstore can recommend for you.

Since George Bush has now brought us right up to the start of the Tribulation with his "Roadmap For Peace" in Israel,it would be foolish to spend the time necessary to get a doctoral degree.Instead you can enroll in a two year Masters Of Social Work program that will allow you to do the same type of counseling that psychologists do once you obtain a M.S.W. degree.

 

[fishstix]

Since George Bush has now brought us right up to the start of the Tribulation with his "Roadmap For Peace" in Israel,it would be foolish to spend the time necessary to get a doctoral degree.

Matthew 24:36But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

 

[ChildOfGod20]

if u like helping people but don't wanna do the whole phd thing u could look into school counseling. it only requires a masters

 

[Singin4Him]

I agree with ChildOfGod20, school counseling is a good way to go as well. Getting a Masters degree is essential in a career with a Psychology degree, you cannot counsel unless you at least have your Masters, however in many circumstance a PhD is not required it is a very good thing to have. I personally don't plan to get my PhD right away and especially not before counseling but in time I plan to get it. I too have a tough time focusing, I'm convinced I have adult ADD. Remember though, no matter what your obstacle God is so much bigger than that and He can get you through! God can help you overcome your stuttering, I've seen it happen and he can give you the drive to press on towards you goals. Psych does get draining at times, the classes can be overwhelming, and they're not always interesting but just keep focused on the end result. Remember what you're there for and I really think that will help get you through those tough days!

If you ever want someone to vent to about it please feel free to PM me because I do understand where you are coming from.

 

[MetalBlade]

I think you should think and pray about it, and if you really want to do it, then do it! Don't let something like stuttering get in your way!!!

As for myself, I have to get my Masters, but I am also considering getting my phd.