Gator Career Chat: Careers in Psychology (Event Recap and Recording)

On Wednesday, October 30, 2024, the Career Connections Center hosted a virtual panel event on careers in psychology. The panelists provided insight about the day-to-day of their roles, and how they’ve leveraged their educational background and technical skills needed to be successful in a ‘helper’ career.

The event recording can be accessed via this link: https://ufl.zoom.us/rec/share/VzfdsFfpP4TxgTFO3QOUb9IdXlYodIIs-ohnY2SbmMYA23xE42TSZClJFVdXRtw.S27fzpEMCh7HT_7S?startTime=1730307919000

Event Summary

The panelists, consisting of licensed psychologists, therapists, and a Ph.D. student, shared their personal journeys and inspirations for pursuing careers in psychology and counseling, emphasizing the importance of empathy, adaptability, and self-reflection. They also discussed the essential skills and qualifications for success in their roles, the most rewarding and challenging aspects of their work, and strategies for maintaining mental health and preventing burnout. Lastly, they addressed the competitiveness of their graduate programs, the challenges of navigating licensure laws, and the importance of diverse experiences and networking for future roles in their field.

Career Connection Center Panel Discussion

Sarah Blackmon, the career connection center host, welcomed the panelists and introduced the event’s purpose. The panelists: Angel Montfort – PsyD, Mercedes Machado – LMHC, PhD, Krista Garner – PhD, NCSP, Joyce Calixtro – M.Ed., Ed.S., and Paige Carter – M.Ed., Ed.S., shared their backgrounds and current roles. Angel is a licensed clinical psychologist and owns a private practice focusing on perinatal mental health. Mercedes is a clinical assistant professor at the University of Florida, working with kids and training future counselors and educators. Krista is a school psychologist with Marion County public schools, serving elementary and middle schools. Joyce is a licensed marriage and family therapist, working with the University of Florida’s counselor education graduate program. Paige is a Ph.D. student in the Counselor Education and Supervision department and a registered marriage and family therapist intern. The panelists agreed to answer questions from the audience, which would be typed into the chat.

Panelists Share Psychology and Counseling Journeys

The panelists shared their personal journeys and inspirations for pursuing careers in psychology and counseling. Angel, who initially majored in psychology after a fascinating social psychology class, decided to go straight into a combined master’s and doctoral program to avoid stopping her education. She found her passion in working with women and eventually shifted from a large hospital setting to a private practice for a better work-life balance. Mercedes, inspired by a personal loss to suicide, found her passion in suicide prevention and working with kids who have lost family members to suicide. Krista, who initially wanted to be a medical doctor, discovered her passion for school psychology after taking a developmental psychology class. She encouraged others to consider the doctoral program for more opportunities. Joyce, inspired by her experiences in various roles, found her focus in evidence-based treatments and working with a variety of issues. She currently works as a practicum and internship coordinator and hopes to return to client work. Paige, who initially wanted to be a dentist, discovered her passion for psychology after a crisis in her first semester of college. She found her research interests and decided to pursue a doctoral program to further her research.

Skills and Qualifications for Success

The team discussed the essential skills and qualifications for success in their roles. Krista emphasized the importance of flexibility and adaptability in her role as a school psychologist. Mercedes highlighted the need for empathy and an open mind when working with clients. Angel added the importance of curiosity and self-reflection. Paige shared her experience of learning to advertise her services in a private practice and prioritizing her time effectively. The team also discussed the most rewarding and challenging aspects of their work, with Joyce and Angel agreeing on the importance of client growth and systemic challenges, respectively. Lastly, they shared strategies for maintaining mental health and preventing burnout, including setting boundaries, engaging in hobbies, and not over-identifying with clients’ experiences.

School Psychologist Demand and Virtual Sessions

Krista expressed the high demand for school psychologists in Marion County and other districts, encouraging potential candidates to reach out to her. Sarah asked about the differences between in-person and virtual sessions with clients, to which Krista responded that in Marion County, school psychologists primarily conduct testing for learning disabilities and eligibility for services. She noted that virtual sessions are rare, usually for IEP meetings or problem-solving team meetings when a parent cannot attend in person. Mercedes added that the COVID-19 pandemic has made mental health support less stigmatized and more accessible, leading to an increase in applications to graduate programs in their field.

Graduate Program Preparation and Networking

In the meeting, Mercedes discussed the competitiveness of their master’s and doctoral programs, emphasizing the importance of persistence for applicants. She also shared her experiences working virtually with clients and the challenges of navigating licensure laws. Sarah and Paige then discussed how students can prepare for roles in their field, with Paige emphasizing the value of diverse experiences and networking. Krista and Angel also shared their experiences, highlighting the importance of research, volunteer work, and networking. The conversation ended with a discussion on the application process for graduate programs, with Angel recommending the book “The Insider’s Guide to Counseling and Clinical Graduate Programs.” The panelists encouraged students to explore different opportunities and not stress too much about their future.

Next Steps

1. Students can to reach out to Angel, Mercedes, Krista, Joyce, or Paige for more information about their respective fields and career paths. Please reach out to Sarah Blackmon for their direct contact information.

2. Students should consider applying to the University of Florida’s graduate programs in psychology or counseling.

3. Students should consider exploring opportunities in community mental health organizations for entry-level positions.

4. Students should consdier scheduling a career planning appointment with Sarah Blackmon for further guidance on career paths in psychology.

5. Students should consider networking with professionals in their desired field through organizations like the American Psychological Association (APA) and the Florida Psychological Association (FPA).

By Sarah Blackmon
Sarah Blackmon Career Pathways Coach -- Human Services, Consulting, and Education