Why Study Psychology
During the pandemic, we noticed a considerable spike in the rates of depression, suicide and emotional trauma.
Mental health hotlines received an endless stream of calls, psychiatrists were taking back-to-back consultations, anti-depressants and other forms of medication were selling out. People were crying for help.
The unsung heroes who helped them through this dark phase were professionals with a background in psychology. However, they’ve been saving lives long before the pandemic first hit.
Mental health issues are endemic and should be treated like physical injuries and illnesses. Psychologists, psychiatrists, counsellors and many such professionals have been working for years to destigmatise and normalise conversations surrounding mental health.
Now, at these crossroads, you need to ask yourself a few questions - are you passionate about the mental wellbeing of our society? Do you want to expand your knowledge on the workings and intricacies of the human mind?
If the answers are yes, then a degree in psychology is a pathway you should consider. There are several ways this field of study could benefit you and your future.
Firstly, and most importantly, the study of psychology will help you better understand yourself and those around. As you progress through your career and assume higher level positions, you will need to make important decision amidst high pressure circumstances.
An understanding of psychology and human behaviour will help you respond better in these situations, as well as instill the ability to manage stress and emotions.
This understanding will also hone your people management and leadership skills, which are exceptionally valuable for jobs in human resources.
These abilities increase your employability as organisations require management-level staff who possess this understanding and empathy for human emotions and behaviours.
The demand for professionals with a background in psychology is on the rise. Companies and corporations even hire in-house counsellors to specifically manage the mental health of their staff.
A degree in Psychology will equip you with the specific knowledge of the mind, brain and human behaviour. You will learn the scientific and theoretical aspects of psychology in order to develop the ability to diagnose and treat mental health ailments, as well as identify the various psychological functionings.
With your expertise, you could help people of all ages deal with mental illnesses and recover from emotional trauma.
This field of study is incredibly diverse – there is always something new to learn, even beyond your degree.
The requirement of continuous learning enables those with a background in psychology to develop a keen sense of critical and analytical thinking. This learning process will require you to link and differentiate between the various aspects of the human mind.
Critical and analytical thinking are central to any profession and having these abilities in your arsenal increases your chances of employment.
Your degree in psychology will open doors to a multitude of career pathways.
Government agencies, public authorities, education, healthcare, private companies and many other sectors are constantly looking to hire employees with a background in psychology.
You could work in the capacity of a psychologist, psychiatrist or counsellor. Alternatively, you could also utilise your skills and knowledge within human resources, executive management, teaching and several other areas across a variety of institutions.
Pursuing a degree in Psychology will help you on your way to positively impacting our society. Your understanding of how the human mind works and its influences on our actions would be beneficial across various disciplines and forms of employment.
Your sensitivity toward people’s emotions and behaviours will help you navigate through this new normal, filled with its own unique challenges at the workplace.
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