The rest of the challenge: Position statement on employment opportunities

• Published in: Health psychology 1983, Vol.2 (5S), p.119-122
• Main Authors: Altman, David G., Cahn, Jerry
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Educational Programs; Health Care Psychology; Human; Occupations; Psychologists; Psychology Education
• ISSN: 0278-6133; 1930-7810
• DOI: 10.1037/h0090309

Several questions are considered in addressing health psychology training issues. As was discussed at the National Working Conference on Education and Training in Health Psychology, health psychologists have skills to function in a wide variety of settings. As a result, it is essential to the success of health psychology that health psychology educators pay close attention to developing these job markets for graduates of their programs. The health psychology marketplace is competitive. Therefore, it is imperative to provide potential health psychology students with the incentive to pursue a health psychology education rather than other types of education. The conferees recognized the importance of developing the job marketplace for health psychology students. They expressed their commitment by offering constructive solutions to meet the challenge. The conferees agreed that health psychology must increase the awareness of the public at large, politicians, and other professionals that the field has something important and tangible to offer. Health psychology needs to establish close working relationships with professionals in other disciplines in order to gain entry into key settings in which they are gatekeepers. They also recognized that, ultimately, it is the responsibility of training program faculty and students to develop the job market. The conferees suggested establishing mechanisms by which health psychology programs formally can communicate with one another about the job market.