Diverse Careers in Community Psychology

Community psychology is a diverse field. Community psychologists may work for the government, for nonprofit foundations, as researchers or teachers in academic settings, at NGOs, as independent consultants, overseas in international development, and more. Despite such professional diversity, very little information has formally been made available to students and practitioners about the range of careers they can pursue when studying community psychology. Diverse Careers in Community Psychology details a range of potential career paths for someone with community psychology or related social science training, describes the different types of careers (e.g., tasks involved, benefits and challenges, salary range, etc.), and outlines steps one can take to develop such a career. The volume is built on three foundations: (1) a career survey of almost 450 respondents, which provides quantitative information about the different types of settings in which individuals with community psychology training might find themselves; (2) more than twenty chapters by contributors who share their personal stories and guidance on how to select, prepare for, find, and succeed in careers similar to theirs; (3) and interviews with community psychologists, further illustrating examples discussed in the authored chapters. This volume provides both a depth and breadth of information about the possible careers available for someone with community psychology or related training.

About the Author

Judah J. Viola, PhD, is Dean of the College of Professional Studies and Advancement at National Louis University in Chicago. In the past 15 years his work has ranged from city agency investigator to university researcher, professor, and consultant to nonprofit and government agencies. He earned a PhD in community psychology from DePaul University. Dr. Viola's research and advocacy interests involve promoting healthy communities and increasing civic engagement and pro-social behavior. He also manages an independent consulting practice specializing in needs assessment, program evaluation, community building, and collaborative community research. Olya Glantsman, PhD, is Director of the Undergraduate Concentration in Community Psychology and a visiting professor of Psychology at DePaul University. She earned her doctorate in community psychology and a graduate certificate in women's and gender studies from DePaul. She is also a research associate for the Center for Community Research studying Oxford House recovery homes. Her research interests include cultural diversity, improving academic environments for students and faculty, community psychology values, and teaching of psychology.