The future of psychology graduates

Many individuals have fostered a keen and long-lasting love for psychology and, either through formal education or private study, spend hours delving into this manner of understanding the human phenomenon.

Fuelled by the increasing popular interest in psychology and the availability of a Bachelor's course, the University of Malta has led to psychology establishing itself as a popular and challenging study option at a tertiary level. The course is well recognised by foreign institutions. Thus, for example, the British Psychological Society regularly grants the Graduate Basis for Registration to graduates who apply for this recognition.

In spite of its popularity, obtaining a first degree in psychology is often frustrating. Unlike many other degree courses, graduation does not automatically place one in specialised practice nor does it confer professional status. In psychology, acquiring professional status requires a master's level training often involving prolonged supervised practice.

The European Federation of Psychologists' Associations (EFPA) has drafted the guidelines suggesting that training should be of at least six years duration.

Such rigorous preparation is justified by the delicate subject matter psychologists often have to deal with. This leaves many graduates and those interested in acquiring a bachelor's degree baffled about the usefulness of pursuing this course of study.

The reason for this confusion must however be placed on the failure of both graduates and potential employers to fully appreciate the educational background and skills a first degree in psychology confers to graduates. A course designed to be the first step in a career as a psychologist, whether it is in the clinical, counselling, forensic, organisational, educational, health or research fields (to mention a few specialisations), does in fact provide the graduate with a range of capacities that can prove extremely useful in many work contexts. Graduates and employers alike need to ask: "What can a psychology graduate offer the work place?"

Few first degree courses provide training in problem-solving, research skills, statistical knowledge, computer literacy, interpersonal and group dynamics, critical evaluation of situations and contextual awareness. Graduates in psychology often provide the work place with a degree of emotional intelligence and relational skills that are invaluable to successful management.

Increasingly, this reality is being appreciated and graduates are finding new avenues in which to develop their career. Traditionally graduates have joined social welfare agencies often working in counselling, social work, drug rehabilitation and residential care services. However, many graduates have moved on to equally interesting careers that often prove more financially lucrative - particularly in the field of management and administration where many of the skills mentioned above find excellent application. Others have moved into journalism, police work, advertising and marketing.

In the United States, where psychology is now a well established and respected profession, statistics indicate that about 44 per cent of graduates with a psychology bachelor's degree work in management, sales and administration.

Twenty-five per cent work in professional services, a further 13 per cent work as teachers, 10 per cent in information technology and eight per cent work in research and development. Data about graduates in the United Kingdom shows a similar diversification.

The Maltese Psychological Association (MPA) has recently created the Graduates Committee to look into ways of supporting graduates in psychology. Many graduates are concerned about the fact that the upcoming legislation regulating the profession of psychology may fail to make reference to graduates with a bachelor's degree in psychology.

Likewise, graduates interested in advancing their career through master's level training have been deeply disappointed that once again the University of Malta has not provided this course of study even though the course has been very successfully piloted.

While addressing these issues, the committee has set itself the task of trying to obtain a clearer picture of the work experience of graduates.

A meeting will be held this Thursday at 6 p.m. at the Federation of Professional Bodies, Gzira. The meeting will provide a forum for discussion of work related experiences.

Hopefully, it will bring together individuals willing to promote the interests of bachelor's degree graduates in psychology.

Graduates who wish to attend are requested to contact Roslyn on 9982 3493.

Mr Cachia is a counselling psychologist and a member of the Graduate Committee within the Maltese Psychological Association.