by April Phelps

Created on: December 22, 2011

Learning to learn is as important as learning itself. Whether the classroom is life, school, or personal experiences, there is always a student and a teacher. One must be willing to learn, otherwise the struggle is moot. To learn, a student needs to be flexible and adapt. Otherwise the learning curve becomes very steep and the lessons sharp. Learning is a process of trial and error as students pursue what they hold dear to their hearts. Once the goal is in sight, figuring out the path to it takes serious consideration, time, and thought. The strategy chosen becomes a blueprint and the approach. In short that approach and possessing self-knowledge is the yin and yang that puts it altogether. Nevertheless, knowledge isn’t enough, there must also be action.

Any endeavor humanity undertakes requires a call to action, a plan. Envisioning and constructing that plan sets the wheel in motion as the student figures out the what and the why. Pursuing a master’s of psychology, the student considers personal career goals and the reasons for them. For example, one personal career goal advancing both the student and a future in psychology is the development of constructive coping skills because this skill set will help future clients develop better coping skills. Another personal career goal is improving communication skills because the psychology student can impart to future clients and coworkers the same. Working toward a common goal, the student increases future clients’ capabilities to do the same in their lives. Personal career goals advance both a student’s specialty and life.  

Another vital step preparing a future psychology professional is learning about available job titles and qualifications. This knowledge gives the skinny on the real world future in psychology. Psychology students equipping themselves with this information target their future careers, realistic expectations about performing on-the-job and the likelihood of obtaining that job. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, mental health counselors are trained in a variety of therapeutic techniques used to address issues such as depression, anxiety, addiction and substance abuse, suicidal impulses, stress, trauma, low self-esteem, and grief. Psychology students consider matters like personal coping skills because the need to possess a high physical and emotional energy to handle the array of problems that would be addressed, requires knowing whether or not they

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