Psychology is one of the more nuanced degrees; given its versatility as one of the sciences that serves as a bridge between natural sciences and social sciences, it is a degree that also promises exceptional professional avenues as a potential career. Many students flock towards psychology, not just because it is an interesting subject matter that unravels the mysteries of the mind, but because aside from the fun while learning about psychology, it also has excellent opportunities; not just in Pakistan, but also abroad. Everywhere from the public domain, to the military to the private sector, the demand for psychology graduates is evergreen, and helps explain its popularity among students. In this blog post, we'll take a question from the current zeitgeist of Pakistan; can you work abroad with a psychology degree from Pakistan, considering that moving abroad is in vogue nowadays, and with more and more opportunities opening up for the brilliant students from Pakistan in a myriad of fields including psychology, students and potential Freuds of the future want to know whether a psychology degree from Pakistan is enough to find meaningful and well-compensating work abroad.
Lets first understand a few basics and then we'll progress onto answering the question itself.
One of the main arguments that is commonly heard in this particular discussion is the fact that a very limited number of varsities in Pakistan have the global outreach and research pedigree that extends to their students, helping them secure opportunities both professional and academic abroad. And while there still are universities in Pakistan whose psychology departments are globally known and reputed for their excellent research and their graduates or students are considered extremely valuable for the research and academic prowess they bring, for some states, it still isn't enough.
We'll discuss the main argument after we're done with some of the other underlying reasons that a student or aspirant needs to be aware of before making the momentous decision of moving abroad to seek gainful employment, especially in the field of psychology.
No matter how high your CGPA is, or how good your core courses went and how well you understand the basics, the fact is that nowadays, fields are saturated enough that students need to go above and beyond if they are expected to be working; especially in a field like psychology and especially coming from a country like Pakistan, where research isn't as prioritised as some other countries. Students will be asked for extras: research papers, publications, prior relevant experience and any other achievement that qualifies their hiring over a native graduate from their local universities. And most students struggle with those extras, so getting professional experience or conducting research can go a long way towards helping you secure the opportunity.
Lingual barriers are real, and they're considerably tough to scale, especially if the country doesn't have an English-speaking majority. That usually means two things; either the country will already have a language requirement prior to you arriving, or you will have to undergo language courses to ensure that you understand what is going on around you. And once again, depending on the country you choose, you could either whiz through the language course since the language is easy (Spanish, Arabic) or you may have to struggle with the language, like some of the more difficult languages spoken around the world. And while you may have a degree and the relevant qualifications, lingual requirements and barriers are a considerable factor.
States want the best possible candidate for any position open within their borders, and they usually aren't too picky or choosy about who fills the position as long as they are competent and brightest of the bunch. However, even then, they require foreign nationals or students to adhere to their standards, their licensing and their academic standards, regardless of how prestigious or selective your university back home actually gets. So, lets quickly discuss the two major factors that students need to consider before deciding to move abroad for work in psychology.
Licensing: To work as a psychologist or psychiatrist, you will need to be licensed by the local authorities, usually requiring students to pass a test. Without said license, you will not be able to work legally anywhere, or in any capacity within the state.
Equivalence: The academic path, the grading and the entire syllabus might deviate from their academic or professional requirements, and since you wont be attending their academic institutes, therefore a certificate of equivalence is usually required to ensure that whatever the individual has to offer in a professional capacity falls in line with the academic standards of the foreign country.
Beaconhouse International College is committed to providing the most exceptional academics to students ready to take on the world and make it their own. From diploma programmes in Pakistan focusing on business to engineering qualifications that allow students to tap into a greater and more prestigious network of varsities, Beaconhouse International College is the gateway to great opportunities and equally great prospects for students looking to conquer the world.