Most of us have to live with a lot of interpersonal difficulties and societal complexities in our lives,” says Manisha Dasgupta, associate professor and head of the department of psychology at the University of Calcutta. She continues, “In such a state, psychological intervention is inevitable.” And so is the demand for mental health professionals.
According to Dasgupta, the field of psychology, so far as career opportunities go, is not yet saturated. And there are ample opportunities for a mental health expert in various avenues of governmental, educational and corporate sectors. But if you are wondering how to get there, the path runs something like this.
“It would be better if you take up psychology at the Plus Two level,” says Dasgupta. “But it’s not mandatory.” Once you complete high school, you need to enrol in a psychology honours degree.
Now, the next question is — should you go for a BA honours in psychology or a BSc? “Well, psychology is essentially a science subject,” continues Dasgupta. “However, the minors you choose with your psychology major will ultimately determine whether you will graduate with a BA or a BSc degree.”
For a BA, the minor subjects would be humanities-based while for a BSc, the minors would be science-based subjects such as zoology, botany, statistics or mathematics. “If your goal is to pursue a career in clinical psychology, then having a science background will give you an upper hand in your master’s and MPhil degrees.”
Dasgupta, however, makes it clear that if a student with a humanities background is keen on the subject, then knowledge of Class X-level mathematics is enough. “Humanities students might just have to work a little bit harder than their peers,” she adds.
Some of the reputed departments of psychology in India are at Delhi University, Christ University in Bengaluru, Banaras Hindu University, Tata Institute of Social Sciences in Mumbai, Jamia Milia Islamia in New Delhi and Amity University in Noida.
If the goal is to become a practising therapist or a psychologist, you must take up clinical psychology as one of your electives at the master’s level. “A two-year MPhil in clinical psychology from an RCI (Rehabilitation Council of India) approved institution will grant you the license to practice professionally,” says Dasgupta. RCI is the licensing body for psychology in India. Clinical psychology is not the only course approved under RCI. There are various other specialised courses that students may opt for. Some of these are social work, occupational therapy, rehabilitation therapy, prosthetics and orthotics therapy.
Says Dasgupta, students often back away from pursuing an MPhil because they simply cannot spare two more years for studies. In such cases, they may apply for RCI-approved diploma courses in a subject of their choice. While a diploma is not enough to become a practising therapist, you become a licensed mental health expert in your specialised field.
“A clinical psychologist can start one’s career by assisting a psychiatrist,” says Dasgupta. The difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist is that
the former can prescribe medicines while the latter can only offer psychological
interventions through therapy. Psychologists can also start private clinics.
Industrial psychology, social or experimental psychology, cognitive science, machine learning, artificial intelligence, education and independent research are some of the other areas of work,” she adds. Nowadays, corporate houses hire psychologists and human resources or HR professionals with a psychology background. Hospitals
too require health psychologists. Psychotherapy, the practice of deep-rooted
and in-depth intervention, is another popular choice among mental health
professionals.
Then there is rehabilitation therapy that helps individuals with physical, neurological or intellectual issues to adjust to their daily lives after an illness, accident or disability.
Schools too hire educational psychologists or career counsellors to help students determine their career paths. There are many subdivisions within the field of psychology and its future is very promising, says Dasgupta.
And how is the pay? As with most industries, here too the pay is variable. “In a government setup, a fresher may expect a salary between Rs 60,000 to Rs 70,000,” says Dasgupta. “In a corporate setup, however, the company’s requirement and the contract will determine the pay.”
But, if a student is tenacious and finds real interest in the subject, then he or she does not need to worry about finding employment.
