Studying And Working With The Human Mind: Career Possibilities For You

13 May 2016 by Brent Woods

When you have an interest in the way that the human mind works and what makes people do, think, and feel what they do, then you may be looking for potential careers that allow you to spend your time studying and working with the human mind. Luckily, there are numerous different options available in which you can put your interests in the brain and mind to work for you. Get to know more about a few of these options so that you can steer yourself in the right educational and career direction.

Neuroscience

Neuroscience is a field of medicine that focuses on the biological and physiological functions of the brain. In other words, it has to do with the physical structure of the human brain as well as the functions it performs. A neuroscientist may study the chemistry of the brain and how certain hormones and chemicals cause reactions in the cells of the brain and how those reactions occur in healthy versus unhealthy brains.

Other issues such as abnormal psychology, dementia, traumatic brain injuries, tumors, and the like can all be studied from a neuroscience perspective. To be a neuroscientist, you will need either a PhD (to do lab research and theoretical work) or a medical degree (MD) for clinical work. Many neuroscientists have both MD and PhD certifications so that they can do both research and clinical work.

Psychology

Psychology is a profession that focuses less on the biological reactions that cause reactions in the brain and more on the thoughts and feelings that cause certain behaviors as well as the events or issues that triggered them. It is a scientific study that is largely research based.

Careers in psychology can be widespread and varied. There is research psychology that occurs largely in an academic setting in which behaviors, reactions, and the like are all studied and analyzed. Psychology jobs can also be therapy based in which the psychologist does counseling sessions with individuals suffering from mental health disorders, trauma, or just need help dealing with issues.

You can also specialize within the field of psychology and focus solely on child psychology, abnormal psychology, geriatric psychology, or various other narrowed fields. Psychologists need a minimum of a master's degree but many also go on to obtain their doctoral degree (PhD).

Now that you know a few of the ways that you can put your interest in the human mind to good use in a career field, you can choose the option that best suits you and begin your studies as soon as possible.

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