Can't decide between Psych or IT

[TomoDaK]

So after 3 years of being a pothead I've finally quit, totally 180d my life attitude and I'm ready to go back to school this fall (flunked 1st 3 semesters and took 3 off woot!), but I'm having a really hard time deciding what to do and was hoping to get some input from you guys. My original major was psychology, been a quieter guy my whole life and spent lots of my time observing/studying people and I really enjoy helping people as well. Recently though I've been considering an IT career, family got our 1st computer when I was 6 and right off the bat I had to find ways to make it faster, slimmer, etc. been a huge nerd ever since . I'm almost 21 now, the psych degree would take me 3-3.5 years (plan on taking winter/summer classes)/cost more money and for IT it'd be 1-2 years. With IT I'll get out of school sooner and into a job quicker as well. I am somewhat worried though that a career in IT may turn one of my passions into a boring grind and by the time that happens it may be too late to make the change to something else. Any advice is greatly appreciated

 

[Cyc]

IT is a tough nut to crack in that there's really no such thing as an "entry level" IT position. You can graduate with a diploma (I have a 2yr one) and find yourself working in a call centre along with half of your classmates.

That's because if you don't have a battery of certifications and a few years work experience on top of your diploma, employers tend to pass you over. I have some solid work experience, and I even get passed over for these "entry level" type jobs.

The paradox is that there are job postings for IT positions, which leads people to believe there's this huge demand. In reality, they're all gunning for the guy with a bachelors in Computer Science, A+, MCSE, CCNA, and Oracle who just recently got laid off from Nortel after a 15-year tenure.

I've made the observation before. The expectations put on IT professionals in terms of their scope of education, is disproportionate to other careers. I don't know why this double-standard exists.

 

[Lysis]

IT is very volatile, psych is not. I love programming, especially web programming, but I'm not cut out for corporate life. I don't know where a psych degree gets you. Therapist? Back in the day when I started comp.sci classes everyone was studying psychology. I took psychology as an elective and it's a pretty interesting field of study.

I also think you'd have more freedom in psych, but I'm only guessing. I'm a little prejudice since I was in the IT world, was laid off twice, and the third had to work in probably the worst corporate world ever with a screaming boss that punched his desk and shit. Got fired from that job with a "good riddance" attitude.

IT is a way to make quick money especially if you know your shit, but it is a career where it's likely you won't have the same job for more than 2-3 years at a time. You need to be open to change a lot in IT also. The good side is that you get to sit in a corner with earphones and code. You don't need to interact with a lot of people, and if you're lucky you get to see some cool code and software development projects. Make friends with an awesome designer, and you can do freelance also.

 

[ThaiDie4]

As a psych major, I'd definently encourage you do choose that as your major because I love it!

That said, it really depends how much money you want to make and how long you want to be in school. There isn't much you can do with a bacholer's in psych, you will probably need to need to get to a masters or doctrate level to get a job you want, like being a counselor. And if you do want to counsel, don't expect to make a ton of money, unless you end up having a private practice or something... I mean, where I live I believe a counselor (with a masters, which is what I'm going for) makes around $50,000 which isn't bad, but a job w\ computers might make you more.

One advantage though, in this economy, is that a job in psychology is probably more secure.. in times like this generally jobs in healthcare and related fields are the most stable. My aunt counsels and says that her practice still has a lot of patients coming in, despite the economy.

 

[who_can_say]

Combine the two. I did psyc and I now work in research, and Internet-based research is becoming a hot thing. Apart from that, there is alot of interest in cyberpsychology and all that jazz, so I say try and combine the two.

 

[wizekrak]

If you plan on doing psych you'll need at least a master's degree to do anything interesting. There are a huge number of psych grads every year (I have a psych minor) and only so many jobs available. Graduate school is the great equalizer where you'll learn to do research and have the chance to focus your studies on which ever aspect of psychology interests you the most. Bachelor's degrees are almost useless these days in the arts field.

 

[emperorofusa]

As a psych major, I'd definently encourage you do choose that as your major because I love it!

That said, it really depends how much money you want to make and how long you want to be in school. There isn't much you can do with a bacholer's in psych, you will probably need to need to get to a masters or doctrate level to get a job you want, like being a counselor. And if you do want to counsel, don't expect to make a ton of money, unless you end up having a private practice or something... I mean, where I live I believe a counselor (with a masters, which is what I'm going for) makes around $50,000 which isn't bad, but a job w\ computers might make you more.

One advantage though, in this economy, is that a job in psychology is probably more secure.. in times like this generally jobs in healthcare and related fields are the most stable. My aunt counsels and says that her practice still has a lot of patients coming in, despite the economy.

Very good advice; it is what I was about to type. I have something to add, however: If you have a BA in psychology there are numerous things that you can do in the mental health field. You only need a BA in NJ to work as a MHA (mental health associate) in inpatient mental hospitals. You can work at MICA (mentally ill chemically addicted) or other group homes, make your own hours petty much, get a lot of hands on, and make OK pay. If I recall correctly, group homes usually provide the training and certification and you do not have to have a BA.

Everything else that you mentioned I echo exactly, especially the last paragraph. I'm going for psych, myself, but am just about to finish my 2 year degree, which won't do much.

 

[moonyham]

Im a student doing IT and its alright, its pretty easy(i already know almost everything they teach) so its good like that, but its pretty boring and alot of it is like 'well duh' but i dunno, what ever floats your boat.