Abstract
At first glance, the need for a chapter on “making a career of school psychology” might not be obvious. After all, why else would someone devote 3–5 years or more to obtain a graduate education in school psychology without intending to have a career in it? It would seem that earning an appropriate degree and getting a position as a school psychologist would result in a career. Careers simply happen – if you have the right training and work hard. In some professions that may be the case. A novice advertising executive, for example, may expect to work her way up a “career ladder” by acquiring more and more accounts, supervising more and more associates, and eventually, perhaps, owning her own firm. However, this chapter will encourage the novice practitioner to think of school psychology as a different type of profession – one that usually develops without a career ladder to climb. The authors will propose a model of career development for school psychologists that does not involve climbing ladders but rather emphasizes career enrichment through continuing professional development and professional association involvement.
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Armistead, L.D., Smallwood, D. (2011). Making a Career of School Psychology. In: Lionetti, T., Snyder, E., Christner, R. (eds) A Practical Guide to Building Professional Competencies in School Psychology. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-6257-7_15
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