Primary Teaching OR Clinical Psychology? Help!

I am 23 year old currently studying a sciences Access Course that will allow me to gain entry to university for both courses I am interested in. I am very torn between the two courses for various reasons listed below, and could really do with some suggestions on how I make this decision.

Primary Teaching- I like this option because I like working with children, I feel it would be quite rewarding, I would really value being able to work sociable hours (despite the extra hours of marking and lesson prep). One of my best friends is a primary teacher so I also feel that I have a good and realistic insight into the job role. My main concerns with this are whether I will find this fulfilling as a 'career' because there doesn't appear to be too many opportunities for progression and also perhaps the pay side of things and whether there is opportunity to earn decent money that, for example, allows you to go abroad once a year.

Clinical Psychology- I currently work alongside Clinical Psychologists and Counsellors in an admin based role and envy the job they do. I am passionate about mental health and I know that the wages are very decent (this is important to me as my family have always struggled financially). My main concerns are getting onto the three year doctorate as I know sometimes this can take people many tries and also worried whether I will be able to achieve a work life balance.

I welcome any suggestions as to how I can make this decision easier for myself.

TIA

Reply 1

claireestelle

Original post by Tasha95uk

Have you considering doing a psychology bsc and then you can do a primary pgce from there or go into clinical psychology, yes it's an extra year but it gives you more options for the future doing it that way?

Reply 2

username4623676

Hi Claireestelle,

That's a really good point I hadn't considered that. Many teachers do study 4 years anyway by studying and education degree then PGCE Primary so I may well give that some thought.

Thank you!

Original post by claireestelle

Reply 3

babayaga

I am also trying to become a clinical psychologists, so I could give some insight into that side of things. as i'm sure you are aware, and hint at in your post, becoming a cinical psychologists is unbelievably hard. the entrance rates on the doctorate are less than courses for medicine. you'll be looking at doing a three year psychology course, potentially a masters (I opted to do a masters and definitely think this has helped get jobs), then working for on average 2-3 years as an assistant psychologist, then maybe getting on the doctorate. for some people the hard work and long wait is worth getting their dream job, for others it isn't. it just depends how much you are willing to put into pursuing this career.

Reply 4

katf

Have you considered educational psychology. That'd be a combination of the two.

Reply 5

claireestelle

Original post by Tasha95uk

you'd have to be sure you had another bps accredited modules in it but as the person above suggests, there's universities that do education and psychology bscs that could be a brilliant course option for you.

Reply 6

furryface12

Original post by Tasha95uk

Do both! I'd definitely say do psychology undergrad first so you're on your way, it doesn't stop you doing anything and gives you more options to change your mind. You need loads of experience for clinical psychology anyway and many people do it later in life as a result, so there's no reason why you couldn't teach first. I'd also suggest looking into educational psychology as that's a sort of combination of the two- but again you need experience first, very often in teaching :smile:

good luck!

(edited 4 years ago)

Reply 7

username4623676

Original post by katf

Have you considered educational psychology. That'd be a combination of the two.

I have indeed! If I went down that route I think I would prefer to study to become a clinical psychologist and then choose to specialise in education, then having the flexibility to work within any psychology setting should I choose to, thank you though!