Employers

Many psychologists work for federal agencies, while the rest work in the offices of health practitioners, outpatient care centers, general medical and surgical hospitals. Others work in colleges, universities, and professional schools, and in scientific research and development services. Some neuropsychologists are self-employed. Clinical neuropsychologists may teach at colleges or universities, or they may work with patients in a private practice or a hospital, where they provide therapy after evaluation through special tests.

Starting Out

Those entering the field with a masters degree will face strong competition for few jobs. School career services offices or a psychology professor may be able to help such students find a position assisting a neuropsychologist at a health center or other location. Neuropsychologists with a masters or doctorate degree often get their start through an internship, receiving job offers upon graduation. They also participate in professional associations for networking opportunities and job referrals. Organizations such as the American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology (https://theaacn.org/view-jobs) often list job vacancies.

Neuropsychologists with a masters degree advance by completing a doctorate degree. Those who work for federal agencies and clinics may advance by becoming supervisors, section or department heads, and directors, overseeing the work of neuropsychology teams and handling more patients and projects. Those who teach may advance to become full professors. Neuropsychologists who are employed full time for five or more years in health care organizations may move into private practices or start their own consulting or research firms.

Read these publications to keep up with research, news, and trends in the neuropsychology field:

• The Clinical Neuropsychologist (https://theaacn.org/the-clinical-neuropsychologist; available to American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology members and affiliates)
• The Journal of Neuroscience, Psychology, and Economics (https://www.apa.org/pubs/journals/npe)
• Neuropsychology (https://www.apa.org/pubs/journals/neu)
• School Psychology Review (https://apps.nasponline.org/resources-and-publications/periodicals/spr-launch-nm.aspx)

Get involved in professional associations for access to educational programs, training, networking events, and job referrals. In addition to professional memberships, the American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology offers membership for college students, and the American Psychological Association offers membership categories for high school and college students.

Conduct information interviews of neuropsychologists and clinical neuropsychologists to learn more about the type of work they do and how they got started in their career. Find people to interview through professional associations and LinkedIn, and also ask your schools career services office for assistance.

Find job listings and career-support resources on these Web sites:

• https://www.apa.org/education-career
• https://theaacn.org/view-jobs
• https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/clinical-neuropsychologist-jobs
• https://nanonline.org/Nanweb/Jobs/Job-Bank.aspx
• https://nasponline-jobs.careerwebsite.com