Scope of Psychology in different Competitive Exams & Job Sector

New Delhi, June 16 - I am a Class XII student with physics, chemistry, maths, and biology and IT. Is it possible to pursue psychology after plus-two? I am more interested in criminal psychology. What career prospects does it hold? With a psychology degree, can I appear for the IAS examination? What are the best colleges for it?

- Chintan Almale

It is advisable to take psychology as one of the subjects at the plus-two level, though admission to BA in psychology is also given to those from other disciplines. However, weightage will be given to those with good marks in psychology.

Most universities teach this subject.

If you wish to specialise in criminal psychology, you will need to do an MA in psychology and specialise in clinical or social psychology. A clinical psychologist normally works in hospitals or medical clinics, rehabilitation centres or research institutions dealing with different kinds of patients. Social psychologists study the behaviour of society with regard to various situations, whether it is criminal behaviour among adolescents, consumer trends, political preferences etc.

Forensic psychology or criminology is gaining ground and playing a very important role not only in detection of crimes but also in correctional methodology and rehabilitation of perpetrators and victims. You can also take up this subject with an MA degree in forensic science and criminology offered by the department of criminology and forensic science, Dr HS Gour University, Sagar (MP) (www.sagaruniversity.nic.in) and Karnataka University, Dharwad (www.kud.ernet.in).

The Master's in social work also includes specialisation in criminology and correctional administration, available at University of Delhi (www.du.ac.in); Tata Institute of Social Science, Mumbai (www.tiss.edu), and Madras School of Social Work, Chennai (www.unom.ac.in). While students from any discipline can apply for this programme, admission is through a test, and preference is given to candidates with some social work experience.

With the spiralling crime rate, especially in urban areas, job options for criminal psychologists will continue to grow in social work, correctional administration and guidance and counselling.

You can also opt for the IAS through the civil services exam. Psychology is one of the subjects on the list of optional subjects for the exam, conducted by the Union Public Service Commission.

I'm a Class IX student. I don't know which stream to choose in Class XI. I find it difficult to judge my interests. I'm sometimes inclined towards science and sometimes find it really boring. If I take physics, chemistry and maths with biotechnology, what options will be open to me in the near future? When I go to any counsellor, I get to hear the same thing everywhere, "You are quite young to decide your career now." What should I do?

- Ananya

I am glad you have started thinking about your career and the study routes you will need to take for it. The subject stream you opt for in class XI will be the first step towards your career. Therefore, before making your choice, do a self-assessment to be able to figure out your innate abilities, interests and personality. Every person is unique with a range of talents, interests and skills any of which could be the basis of a worthwhile career. You need to know what you do well, so you can choose to use those abilities and develop the necessary skills in a career that interests you.

Never before were there as many career options as there are today. Innumerable career opportunities exist and are being created all the time, both in India and abroad. It is not surprising that you, like many other students, are confused about your future. There are aptitude and personality assessments which can help indicate your potential and suitability for particular professions and help in your career decision-making process. Such an assessment has to be conducted by a professional career counsellor who can help you pick the most suitable subject stream.

There are hundreds of careers you can take up after any of the subject streams. So take up subjects that you enjoy studying, where you get marks easily and consistently, and which may be useful for careers that interest you.

In Class VIII or IX, it may be too early to focus on any one career but you must open your mind to all the possible careers that seem interesting to you and explore what they are all about, and the kinds of jobs they entail. If you are thinking of taking PCM at the plus-two level, I suggest you do not take biotechnology with it. You need not read biotechnology in Classes XI and XII to be able to take it up later. Biotechnology is open to you whether you take PCM or PCB. You may instead like to consider a fourth subject such as economics, computer science, psychology or any other your school offers, which open up many other career avenues.

Author: Usha Albuquerque (HT Horizons)

Date: 18th June, 2010

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