Descriptions of Occupations of Interest to Psychology Majors

From the Dictionary of Occupational Titles

 

Drew C. Appleby, Ph.D.

Director of Undergraduate Studies in Psychology

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis

 

 

The following is a list of over 100 occupations that psychology majors can pursue and the urls that will take them to the descriptions of these occupations in the Information Technology Associates online version of the Department of Labor’s Dictionary of Occupational Titles (DOT). I created this list of occupations from the following sources.

·         Psychology majors enrolled in my B103 Orientation to a Major in Psychology class who must identify an occupation in which they have an interest and create a plan to successfully enter that occupation

·         A list of the occupations that IUPUI psychology alumni have entered

·         Marky Lloyd’s Careers in Psychology website (www.psychwww.com/careers)

·         A non-exhaustive examination of the DOT, during which I searched for additional occupations of interest to psychology majors not identified by the first three sources

 

The DOT provides descriptions of over 40,000 occupations that identify the tasks people employed in these occupations must perform. This makes the DOT a valuable source of information for undergraduate psychology majors because they can use it to discover the skills they must develop to gain employment in the occupations they wish to enter. This knowledge can then help them identify the opportunities their schools offer to develop these skills (e.g., classes, internships, service learning, and extracurricular activities) and can also provide them with the motivation to take advantage of these opportunities because of their increased awareness of the importance of these skills. For example, the following is a description of school psychologist taken verbatim from the DOT. Notice how each sentence begins with a verb, thus identifying the skills school psychologists must possess to perform their job (e.g., evaluates needs, advises teachers, refers individuals to community agencies, counsels pupils, plans special placement, serves as a consultant, and carries out research, conducts diagnostic studies).

 

Evaluates needs of average, gifted, handicapped, and disturbed children within educational system or school, and plans and carries out programs to enable children to attain maximum achievement and adjustment: Conducts diagnostic studies to identify child's needs, limitations, and potentials, observing child in classroom and at play, studying school records, consulting with parents and school personnel, and administering and interpreting diagnostic findings. Plans special placement or other treatment programs. Counsels pupils individually and in groups, using psychodrama, play therapy, personal interviews, and other psychological methods to assist pupils to achieve personal, social, and emotional adjustment. Carries out research to aid in introduction of programs in schools to meet current psychological, educational, and sociological needs of children. Advises teachers and other school personnel on methods to enhance school and classroom atmosphere to provide motivating educational environment. Refers individuals to community agencies to secure medical, vocational, or social services for child or family. Participates in planning of remedial classes and testing programs designed to meet needs of students. Serves as consultant to school board, superintendent, administrative committees, and parent-teacher groups in matters involving psychological services within educational system or school.

 

Undergraduate psychology majors interested in becoming a school psychologist should read this description carefully, and seek opportunities to develop or enhance these skills. This information will help students to identify careers of interest, and assist in the career planning process.

 

Academic Counselor                                                     http://www.occupationalinfo.org/04/045107010.html

Advertising Sales Representative                                    http://www.occupationalinfo.org/25/254357014.html

Alumni Director                                                            http://www.occupationalinfo.org/09/090117014.html

Animal Trainer                                                              http://www.occupationalinfo.org/15/159224010.html

Applied Statistician                                                        http://www.occupationalinfo.org/02/020167026.html

Art Therapist                                                                http://www.occupationalinfo.org/07/076127010.html

Benefits Manager                                                          http://www.occupationalinfo.org/16/166167018.html

Career Information Specialist                                         http://www.occupationalinfo.org/24/249367014.html

Caseworker                                                                  http://www.occupationalinfo.org/19/195107010.html

Chief Psychologist                                                         http://www.occupationalinfo.org/04/045107046.html

Child Development Specialist                                         http://www.occupationalinfo.org/19/195227018.html

Child Psychologist                                                         http://www.occupationalinfo.org/04/045061010.html

Child Welfare/Placement Caseworker                            http://www.occupationalinfo.org/19/195107014.html

Claims Supervisor                                                          http://www.occupationalinfo.org/24/241137018.html

Clinical Psychologist                                                      http://www.occupationalinfo.org/04/045107022.html

Coach                                                                           http://www.occupationalinfo.org/15/153227010.html

College/University Professor                                          http://www.occupationalinfo.org/09/090227010.html

Community Organization Worker                                    http://www.occupationalinfo.org/19/195167010.html

Community Worker                                                       http://www.occupationalinfo.org/19/195367018.html

Comparative Psychologist                                              http://www.occupationalinfo.org/04/045061018.html

Computer Programmer                                                  http://www.occupationalinfo.org/03/030162010.html

Conservation Officer                                                     http://www.occupationalinfo.org/37/379167010.html

Correctional Treatment Specialist                                   http://www.occupationalinfo.org/19/195107042.html

Corrections Officer                                                       http://www.occupationalinfo.org/37/372667018.html

Counseling Psychologist                                     http://www.occupationalinfo.org/04/045107026.html

Criminal Investigator (FBI and other)                              http://www.occupationalinfo.org/37/375167042.html

Customer Service Representative Supervisor                  http://www.occupationalinfo.org/23/239137014.html

Data Base Administrator                                               http://www.occupationalinfo.org/03/039162010.html

Data Base Design Analyst                                             http://www.occupationalinfo.org/03/039162014.html

Delinquency Prevention Social Worker                           http://www.occupationalinfo.org/19/195107026.html

Department Manager                                                    http://www.occupationalinfo.org/29/299137010.html

Developmental Psychologist                                           http://www.occupationalinfo.org/04/045061010.html

Dietician                                                                       http://www.occupationalinfo.org/07/077117010.html

Educational Psychologist                                                http://www.occupationalinfo.org/04/045067010.html

Elementary School Teacher                                           http://www.occupationalinfo.org/09/092227010.html

Employee Relations Specialist                                        http://www.occupationalinfo.org/16/166267042.html

Employment Counselor                                                  http://www.occupationalinfo.org/16/166257010.html

Employment Interviewer                                                http://www.occupationalinfo.org/16/166267010.html

Engineering Psychologist                                                http://www.occupationalinfo.org/04/045061014.html

Experimental Psychologist                                              http://www.occupationalinfo.org/04/045061018.html

Family Counselor/Caseworker                                        http://www.occupationalinfo.org/19/195107018.html

Financial Aid Counselor                                     http://www.occupationalinfo.org/16/169267018.html

Fund Raiser I                                                                http://www.occupationalinfo.org/29/293157010.html

Fund Raiser II                                                               http://www.occupationalinfo.org/29/293357014.html

Group Worker                                                               http://www.occupationalinfo.org/19/195164010.html

Guidance Counselor                                                       http://www.occupationalinfo.org/04/045107010.html

Health Care Facility Administrator                                  http://www.occupationalinfo.org/18/187117010.html

High School Teacher                                                     http://www.occupationalinfo.org/09/091227010.html

Human Resource Advisor                                              http://www.occupationalinfo.org/16/166267046.html

Industrial/Organizational Psychologist                             http://www.occupationalinfo.org/04/045107030.html

Information Specialist                                                    http://www.occupationalinfo.org/10/109067010.html

Job Analyst                                                                   http://www.occupationalinfo.org/16/166267018.html

Lawyer                                                                         http://www.occupationalinfo.org/11/110107010.html

Loan Officer                                                                 http://www.occupationalinfo.org/18/186267018.html

Management Analyst                                                     http://www.occupationalinfo.org/16/161167010.html

Market Research Analyst                                              http://www.occupationalinfo.org/05/050067014.html

Marriage and Family Counselor                                      http://www.occupationalinfo.org/04/045107054.html

Medical Social Worker                                                  http://www.occupationalinfo.org/19/195107030.html

Mental Retardation Aide                                                http://www.occupationalinfo.org/35/355377018.html

Military Psychologist                                                      http://www.occupationalinfo.org/04/045107030.html

Minister, Priest, Rabbi, Chaplain, etc.                              http://www.occupationalinfo.org/12/120107010.html

Music Therapist                                                                        http://www.occupationalinfo.org/07/076127014.html

Neurologist                                                                   http://www.occupationalinfo.org/07/070101050.html

Neuropathologist                                                           http://www.occupationalinfo.org/07/070061010.html

Neurosurgeon                                                               http://www.occupationalinfo.org/07/070101094.html

News Writer                                                                 http://www.occupationalinfo.org/13/131262014.html

Nurse                                                                           http://www.occupationalinfo.org/07/075364010.html

Occupational Analyst                                                     http://www.occupationalinfo.org/16/166067010.html

Occupational Therapist                                                  http://www.occupationalinfo.org/07/076121010.html

Optometrist                                                                   http://www.occupationalinfo.org/07/079101018.html

Patient Resources and Reimbursement Agent                 http://www.occupationalinfo.org/19/195267018.html

Pediatrician                                                                   http://www.occupationalinfo.org/07/070101066.html

Penologist                                                                     http://www.occupationalinfo.org/05/054067014.html

Personnel Psychologist                                                  http://www.occupationalinfo.org/04/045107030.html

Personnel Recruiter                                                       http://www.occupationalinfo.org/16/166267038.html

Pharmacologist                                                              http://www.occupationalinfo.org/04/041061074.html

Physiatrist                                                                     http://www.occupationalinfo.org/07/070101070.html

Physical Therapist                                                         http://www.occupationalinfo.org/07/079364018.html

Physician                                                                      http://www.occupationalinfo.org/07/070101022.html

Police Officer                                                               http://www.occupationalinfo.org/37/375263014.html

Polygraph Examiner                                                      http://www.occupationalinfo.org/19/199267026.html

Preschool Teacher                                                        http://www.occupationalinfo.org/09/092227018.html

Probation/Parole Officer                                                http://www.occupationalinfo.org/19/195107046.html

Psychiatric Aide/Attendant                                            http://www.occupationalinfo.org/35/355377014.html

Psychiatric Social Worker                                              http://www.occupationalinfo.org/19/195107034.html

Psychiatric Technician                                                   http://www.occupationalinfo.org/07/079374026.html

Psychiatrist                                                                   http://www.occupationalinfo.org/07/070107014.html

Psychological Anthropologist                                          http://www.occupationalinfo.org/05/055067010.html

Psychological Stress Evaluator                                       http://www.occupationalinfo.org/19/199267026.html

Psychometrist                                                               http://www.occupationalinfo.org/04/045067018.html

Public Health Director                                                   http://www.occupationalinfo.org/07/079117014.html

Public Relations Representative                                      http://www.occupationalinfo.org/16/165167014.html

Purchasing Agent                                                          http://www.occupationalinfo.org/16/162157038.html

Real Estate Agent                                                         http://www.occupationalinfo.org/25/250357018.html

Recreation Leader                                                         http://www.occupationalinfo.org/19/195227014.html

Recreation Supervisor                                                    http://www.occupationalinfo.org/18/187167238.html

Recreational Therapist                                                   http://www.occupationalinfo.org/07/076124014.html

Research Assistant                                                        http://www.occupationalinfo.org/19/199364014.html

Retail Salesperson                                                         http://www.occupationalinfo.org/27/279357054.html

School Psychologist                                                       http://www.occupationalinfo.org/04/045107034.html

School Social Worker                                                    http://www.occupationalinfo.org/19/195107038.html

Social Group Worker                                                     http://www.occupationalinfo.org/19/195107022.html

Social Psychologist                                                        http://www.occupationalinfo.org/04/045067014.html

Social Services Aide                                                      http://www.occupationalinfo.org/19/195367034.html

Speech Pathologist                                                        http://www.occupationalinfo.org/07/076107010.html

Substance Abuse Counselor                                           http://www.occupationalinfo.org/04/045107058.html

Systems Analyst                                                            http://www.occupationalinfo.org/03/030167014.html

Teacher for the Emotionally Impaired                             http://www.occupationalinfo.org/09/094227010.html

Teacher for the Hearing Impaired                                  http://www.occupationalinfo.org/09/094224010.html

Teacher for the Learning Disabled                                 http://www.occupationalinfo.org/09/094227030.html

Teacher for the Mentally Impaired                                 http://www.occupationalinfo.org/09/094227022.html

Teacher for the Visually Impaired                                  http://www.occupationalinfo.org/09/094224018.html

Technical Writer                                                           http://www.occupationalinfo.org/13/131267026.html

Therapist for the Blind                                                   http://www.occupationalinfo.org/07/076224014.html

Veterans Contact Representative                                   http://www.occupationalinfo.org/18/187167198.html

Veterinarian                                                                  http://www.occupationalinfo.org/07/073101010.html

Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor                                http://www.occupationalinfo.org/04/045107042.html

Vocational Training Teacher                                          http://www.occupationalinfo.org/09/097221010.html

Volunteer Coordinator                                                   http://www.occupationalinfo.org/18/187167022.html

Writer                                                                           http://www.occupationalinfo.org/13/131067046.html

 

If there are other occupations contained in the DOT that you believe should be included in this list, please email these occupations and their urls to me at dappleby@iupui.edu.