Psychology

In every career one aims at making a difference in the lives of people around himher. This is the core objective of every career since it is a service to humanity. One should not just wish to benefit the objects of hisher profession but should extend these benefits to the institutions one works for and other colleagues al together. Academic qualifications are very important and necessary. One needs to shape his intellectual dimension so that she might expedite in the practice for the same. The American Psychological Association and other bodies are doing a remarkable job in ensuring that the professionals in counseling psychology do not misuse or abuse their service to the community. The licensing requirements prevent possible malicious and feigned practice in counseling psychology.

Introduction
Career plan enables an individual to realize hisher life goals. It clearly states how, why, where, when and what as pertains to a career choice. It is not enough to aspire to be this or that, one need to indicate the modalities to be used to get there. It is believed that failing to plan is planning to fail. In this light, this study seeks to give a good outline of how one can sketch hisher career plan and especially in the choice of Counseling Psychology. The requirements needed, objectives involved and the ways in which they can be realized will also be considered. In general, an interview conducted in Counseling Care Company in Colorado will also be analyzed.

Objectives
After giving service in this professional career, one will want to be recognized as someone who impacted positively in the lives of people not excluding making a difference in their lives. The positive benefits should not be limited to the core objects of this professional career but should extend to the colleagues and institutions one has worked for and have worked with. It is not an easy task as much effort is required therefore everything must be approached with a positive mind, enthusiasm and empathy with the aim of transforming lives. Through the good work of teachers and facilities offered in the university one will achieve all the objectives. But, to grow more in this career one must persist in enthusiasm and have an interest in learning new skills everyday.              

It is important to have a degree in counseling psychology that will be facilitated through the universitys psychology department. After the acquisition of the degree one can still proceed to masters and doctoral stages. It is required that to qualify as a counseling psychologist, a Ph.D.,Ed.D. Psy. D. degree be achieved. To qualify as a Doctor of Education in counseling psychology one can enroll for programs offered through the education college. After successful completion of the required programs, accreditation is processed by the American Psychological Association.

After successful completion of the program and approval from the American Psychological Association one can immediately look for a job as this will be a better chance to learn more and to grow in experience. One will also acquire more specific knowledge in this career since it will involve practical cases. However, these specifications should not render one so inflexible that one would not appreciate exploring other areas of career life especially through sharing with other professionals. Here one can set short term goals which are not restricted to time, place or even remuneration. This short term goals act as a very powerful instrument in ascending to long-term goals a journey begins with a step. One should be flexible enough to work anywhere and with everybody. At least, one should be available to assist in any field as this will improve ones experience and interpersonal skills.
 
One can begin by working in hisher locality before even thinking of working in bigger organizations. The need to work even for international organizations might not be necessary for now. By this time period, one can focus more in the dynamics of hisher path. Let it be a self-discovery or a career self-discovery. In deed, within the set short-term goals one will be able to build enough muscle and skills to make a leap to the next career stage. One should ensure that she gets certification and licensing from relevant body. This body can be the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs (CACREP), the Council on Rehabilitation Education (CORE), and the American Psychological Association (APA) (American Counseling Association, 2010).

In the long-term, one can aspire to advance hisher studies to the masters level or doctoral level. In addition, one can aspire to become the chief counselor with a reputable organization. Even more to this, aspire to own an organization that majors in counseling psychology both domestically and internationally. On can even establish several non-governmental organizations in places where people are psychologically traumatized, for example, in Afghanistan or other areas like in Africa.

In the long run and after achieving all the set goals and dreams one should have accumulated a good deal of wealth come the retirement period. This will guarantee a long and comfortable life while in retirement, serving the community and financially supporting other projects that also seek to make a difference in the lives of the people. One can even boost the university that helped himher shape her career path in the intellectual dimension.

In case that one does not get a job in counseling psychology one can opt for another career. It is true that one would still wish to concentrate in psychological matters but one can change to being a sociologist or a clergy. This would still allow one to counsel others and create a difference in their lives as such. One can even opt to work in religious centers or rehabilitations centers where there are a lot of people who need psychological counseling.

Career Plan
Career Goal To become a Counseling Psychologist. To provide psychological counseling to all people and help them in their growth and development.
Requirements
A Bachelors Degree
Interpersonal Skills and innovativeness
Analytical skills
Problem solving skills
Writing skills and critical thinking
Good communication skills
Quick learner
Accreditation from the American Psychological Association and other relevant bodies.
Plan to Reach career Goal
Bachelors Degree from a recognized University
Continue working as a volunteer in different programs
Look for more internship opportunities
Networking through smaller psychological organizations in the university
Keep in touch with teachers in my university
Share with psychologists in other fields
Consider the views of parentsrelatives and friends regarding the profession
Check from the resources available for good colleges to study the course
Spell out colleges that are preferable to undertake the course

Interview Analysis
The following is the outcome of an interview conducted in Counseling Care of Colorado. It is a private company dealing with issues of Marriage and Family Counseling and it is situated at Colorado Springs. It is estimated that it has unknown annual revenue and recruits roughly 1 to 4 staff. It is interesting to learn about their structures and profile of their products to the community they serve. It was impressive to learn about their products especially the fact that they are not limited to any specific group. This was surprising because it was contrary to widely held views. In school it is believed that as a professional in counseling psychology one cannot multitask. Evidently, from this interview, one of the staff shared that she deals with children right to adults. They offer rehabilitation counseling substance abuse counseling Consumer Credit Counseling teens counseling army counseling and career counseling just to mention a few. As a staff in this company one offers any of these counseling services whenever required to.            

This confirmed that counseling psychology is a professional that is directed by the object. Or better still, it depends with the issue of the client one is handling as a counseling psychologist to be able to know hot to respond.

This indicates the complexities in this professional especially contrary to how people view it. It is clear that people view a counselor as a god in that they expect them to solve all their problems. It is amazing how different clients come with a lot of hope that after the sharing with the counselor they will go back home settled. In addition, that one feels free and liberated once she shares an issue with the counselor. This is the most challenging part in this professional. In deed, some of the problems may be solved instantly but there are those that need other special attention especially in the case of insanity. Surprising enough, there are clients that bring their loved ones for counseling and yet they are physically ill.
 
As mentioned above, in cases of mad people who suffer from cerebral illness HIVAids patients who undergo psychological traumas and so on and so forth.  Such problems need other attention may be from a psychiatrist or criminal psychologists or medical doctors themselves. These aforementioned careers seem to be the sister professionals to Counseling Psychology. One might consider specializing in one of them to be more proficient in the complexities posed to counseling psychologists.

Conclusion
As we can see from our study counseling psychology is a very enormous task therefore it requires dedication and open-mindedness. The most beautiful thing is that it has opportunities for growth. Any person can advance hisher profession up to doctoral level. It is impressive to note the code of ethics embedded in the professional requirements as articulated by American Psychological Association. This makes it look even more professional and legal. The experience I heard in my interview was enriching and I learnt very practical things that one would never get in books. In deed, school work is not enough until one compliments it with practical experience. Yes, I desire to pursue this career for a life time.