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Occupational Psychologist

Do you want to become a Occupational Psychologist? Here is some information to help point you in the right direction:

Job Description - Print Page

Occupational psychologists act as advisers to large organisations. They help employers to:

• work in a more efficient manner
• recruit people who best match the job and the team
• train, develop and motivate staff.

They also help individual staff to gain new skills and plan their careers.

Occupational psychologists usually work from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. They may be employed in house or offer their services on a consultancy basis. Consultants might work longer hours as they have to travel to meet clients. There may be opportunities to work part time or on a flexible basis.

Salaries range from around £17,000 to over £34,000 in the public sector, and from £15,000 to over £100,000 in the private sector.

An occupational psychologist needs to:

• have strong communication skills and the ability to get on well with people
• be confident and persuasive
• have a thorough knowledge of the sector they work in
• have skills in statistics, analysis and problem solving
• be able to deal with sensitive situations
• have an interest in people and their career potential.

There are over 1,200 chartered occupational psychologists in the UK. Occupational psychology is a growing field, but there is strong competition for vacancies. Employers include the Civil Service and major organisations in almost every industry.

Applicants need to have a degree that meets British Psychological Society requirements, followed by a Masters Degree in Occupational Psychology. Two years' supervised work experience is also needed to gain chartered status.

Training involves working under the direction of a qualified psychologist, gaining experience of working with the public.

It is possible to progress to a team management role. There may be opportunities for promotion in larger consultancies or the Civil Service. Psychologists working for small departments may need to change employer. Some move into teaching and research, or become self-employed and work on a consultancy basis.

 

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