Page 619 - Understanding Psychology

such training over three weekends. Following training, a typical assign- ment would involve two 4-hour shifts a week.
What’s involved? Crisis hot line personnel respond primarily to two kinds of problems. One involves the immediate, possibly life-threatening situation that can arise as a result of a personal or family crisis—perhaps an argu- ment or the unexpected death of a loved one. Drug use, whether from withdrawal or overdose, can also bring about an immediate need for help. The other type of problem is the crisis evolving from long-term stress, such as that experienced in the family, on the job, or in a failure to develop one’s career. Crises like these are not as threatening, but still need to be resolved.
A person handling a hot line will have a list of psychologists and counselors as well as information about a wide array of treatment facili- ties and programs operating in the vicinity. This job requires being able to calm the caller, identify his or her problem, and help that caller to see the wisdom—once the immediate crisis has been dealt with—of contact- ing the most appropriate agency or professional for long-term follow-up.
Word Processor Salesperson
Employer: a local computer dealer
Can you do it? People with an interest in psychology are likely to have a higher-than-average interest in behavior—both theirs and others. That interest, even if backed only by a high school diploma, is a vital element of the successful salesperson. One report suggests that the best salespeo- ple are motivated by the need for status, control, respect, routine, accom- plishment, stimulation, and honesty. With those needs met, a salesper- son, will feel happy, regardless of level of education. A basic under- standing of people’s driving forces—their needs for achievement, affilia- tion, and safety—is but one aspect of
psychology that would aid someone seeking a career in sales.
What’s involved? The key requirement may be experience. One psychologist has suggested that you cannot educate someone to be good in sales, but sensi- tivity to others can be improved by training. You must also be persistent, skillful at language, able to query prospective customers, and able to relate their needs to those answered by the product you are offering.
Mental Health Assistant
Employer: a senior citizen service center
Can you do it? This is a new career field, usually requiring at least an asso- ciate degree. An associate degree is
Try Out a Career in Psychology
As you search the want ads in your local newspaper, you may not see very many entry-level job openings for psychologists. There are jobs, though, that can expose you to psychology-related work. Look for jobs that utilize peo- ple skills, such as communicating or relating to people; ana- lytical skills, such as figuring out and resolving problems; writing skills, such as writing logical reports; and research skills, such as using statistics or tables to analyze issues. These skills are called for in a variety of jobs, such as work- ing for case workers, business managers, probation or cor- rections officers, city managers, and human services.
Chapter 21 / Psychology: Present and Future 605