2. Overview
Psychologist-
– Counsel people who have life or emotional problems
– Study human behavior and mental processes
Elementary Teacher-
– Help children explore their interests and develop their talents
– They help children build self-esteem and learn how to behave with others
3. Task List
Psychologist-
– Design research studies, collect and analyze data
– Choose, give, and score psychological tests
– Help patients understand problems, define goals, and plan changes
– Offer plans and design research methods
Elementary teacher-
– Organize activities
– Maintain contact with parent/guardian
– Keep records of child’s progress
– Provide learning opportunities
4. General Work Activity
Psychologist-
– Establish and maintain relationships
– Get information, communicate
– Make decisions, solve problems
– Care for others
Elementary teacher-
– Teach/coach others
– Think creatively
– Make decisions to solve problems
– Organize, plan, and prioritize work
– Care for others
5. Helpful High School Courses
Psychologist-
– College prep courses - business classes
– Anthropology - sociology
– AP and IB classes - ethnic and gender studies
– Child dev./parenting - psychology
Elementary teacher-
– College prep classes - parenting
– Child dev. - psychology
– Safety and first aid
– Child care Occ.
6. Skills and Ability
Psychologist-
– Communicate - perceive and visualize
– Work with people - work with things
– Reason and problem solve - manage things
– Use math and science
Elementary Teacher-
– Communicate - work with things
– Perceive and visualize - work with people
– Manage oneself, people, time, and things -reason and problem solve
– Use math and science skills
7. Physical Demands
Psychologist-
– Sit for long periods of time
– Repeat the same movements
– Speak clearly
– Understand speech of others
– Good eyesight
– Focus on one source of sound and ignore others
Elementary teacher-
– Stand a lot
– Walk, run, kneel, stoop, or crouch to interact with children
– Understand children and speak clearly
8. Working Conditions
Psychologist-
high level of social interaction
Work closely with clients
Communicate through telephone, face to face, and email
Can be in conflict situations
Deal with angry people
Exact in work
Make decisions
Elementary Teacher-
High level of social interaction
Placed in conflict situations
Responsible for the health and safety of children
9. Interests
Psychologist-
Consider independence, achievement, recognition, good working conditions, relationships to be
important
Have investigative, social, and artistic interests
Like to teach and give advice
Elementary Teacher-
Consider independence, achievement, relationships, recognition, good working conditions
important
Have social and artistic interests
10. Knowledge
Psychologist-
Psychology - education and training
Therapy and counseling - sociology and anthropology
English language - administration and management
Customer and personal service - clerical
Elementary Teacher-
Education and training - public safety and security
English language - mathematics
Psychology - geography
Customer and personal service - administration and management
Sociology and anthropology - computers and electronics
History and archeology
11. Preparation
Psychology-
High school diploma or GED - pass a licensing exam in counseling
Bachelor’s degree - be self motivated and strong interpersonal skills
At least a masters degree in psychology - Ph. D.
Complete an internship in counseling
Elementary Teacher-
Kindergarten:
-diploma or GED - bachelor’s degree - complete early child ed. Or teacher ed. Program
- Student internship - pass licensing exam - strong interpersonal skills
Pre-K:
-diploma or GED - meet your states licensing requirements - have strong interpersonal skills
