Are you considering a career as a forensic psychologist? This very promising career field has quite a bit to offer in terms of satisfaction as well as salary. However, you have to make sure that it is going to be the best choice for you. While you may find psychology fascinating, you also have to have a love for criminology, and you have to be willing to delve into some dark places when dealing with the psyches of criminals. If you believe that you still want to work in the field, you must have other attributes that will make you a good forensic psychologist.
Featured Programs:
Grand Canyon University - BS in Psychology: Forensic Psychology
Southern New Hampshire University - BA & MS in Forensic Psychology
Walden University - Online Forensic Psychology Programs
It’s important that you have an ability to see things that other people don’t. When you are examining a crime scene, for example, you have to look at the clues in the scene just as an investigator would do. This can help to give you insight into the mind of the criminal, and that can make all the difference when trying to catch the bad guy, and during the questioning phase. You should also make sure that you know how to listen. If you want to have deep insight into the criminal mind, you have to be willing to study and listen to what the criminals have to say.
You should also have great research skills and be willing to put in the long hours that it’s going to take to work in the field. Whether you are working with law enforcement, or you are working with the courts or the prison system, you will have some long days on occasion. The pay is well worth the long hours, but you have to make sure that you are willing to work hard. You have to work hard to get through schooling, but it doesn’t stop there.