Main description:

Working with the Brain in Psychology: Considering Careers in Neuropsychology seeks to assist students in their career exploration, by introducing them early, in the contemplative stage of career planning, to the fascinating branch of psychology known as neuropsychology. The text spends considerable time differentiating neuropsychology from alternative career paths, and provides personal accounts, contributions from neuropsychologists in various settings, and case examples of different patient populations to illustrate what it is like to train to become and work as a neuropsychologist.

This text begins by describing what neuropsychology is, how it is situated within psychology, and for whom it could be a good fit. Suggestions are provided about how to engage in self-assessment in order to help choose a career. It goes on to review over a dozen similar and overlapping careers to illustrate how neuropsychology stands out. Quotes by professional neuropsychologists bring to life what "a day in the life" looks like in different settings, and the kinds of populations with whom neuropsychologists work are illustrated with case examples. The book then outlines how one becomes a neuropsychologist, including how to re-specialize from a different field. It also gives an honest appraisal of some potential challenges with this career, and ends with anticipated future directions in the specialty to which to look forward.

This book will be useful primarily for psychology-minded undergraduates and college graduates thinking of going on to graduate school for psychology, as well as for high school students interested in the brain and psychology. This book is further aimed at those considering a change of career from a related field into neuropsychology, as well as the guidance counselors and college career centers that assist with career planning.

Contents:

1. What is Neuropsychology and How Do I Know if it's the Career for Me? 2. Deciding Between Related Career Paths. 3. What do Neuropsychologists Do and Where Are They Found? 4. What Kinds of Patients do Neuropsychologists See? 5. How to Become a Neuropsychologist. 6. Potential Difficulties and Challenges with a Career in Neuropsychology. 7. Summary and Future Directions. 8. Glossary.