Wanting to study psychology but I can´t - it´s a kind of sorrow

Perhaps this is a "non-problem" but I wanted to share it anyway. I´ve been unemployed for several years, much due to me not knowing what I want to work with although I´ve got a university degree.

Just a short while after I began to see my T, I realised I´m very interested in psychology as a subject of study. I was terminated by my T but I still read a lot, I even went to a university library and borrowed some books.

But, and it´s a kind of sorrow, I won´t have the opportunity to study psychology, I now mean on a serious level leading to a degree. In my country you get allowances and loans to be able to study at a university and I´ve already used all of this, you can´t apply for more of that. As an education in psychology demands much of your time, it´s not possible to both work and study.

The subjects I already have a degree in isn´t anywhere near the field of psychology and I feel my choice of education was quite wrong.

I´m also 30+ of age and an education to become a psychologist is nearly 10 years so that makes it even more impossible.

But still, I don´t know what to do with this insight, I feel sad when I think about it and I don´t know how to find a job that I would think of as meaningful.

Anyone else who experienced this or has any advice?

Is it really an impossibility? I know that here in the UK, European students are encouraged. My advice would be to explore every eventuality before writing yourself off.

What about becoming a therapist instead of a psychologist? You only need to get a masters degree (2 years if you already have an undergrad in something else) to become a therapist.

Hey, I feel your struggle! Trust me I do. Before I entered the psychology field do you know where I was? In the technology field (computers etc)! I knew that field did not even closely reflect who I was, and, thank God, a friend of mine gave me a very much needed kick in the butt. She said "I don't know what a person like you is doing with computers. You should be working with people". She suggested either psychology or social work. She herself got her masters in psychology at that time but ended up doing social work. I was 34 when I started my masters program, at 36 I graduated, then 6 years of internship, licensing examinations, and now I am in my 4th year post-licensure.

Unfortunately, I don't know how the system works in Spain where you live to give you some practical advice on how to enter the psychology field. I was in Spain once ( I loved it by the way) but as a tourist of course. What I do know though is that there is always a way for doing what you want to do. May be there are some general psych classes at a lower-level colleges that are free or low-cost that you can take just for the purpose of self-education, not necessarily to change careers. At the beginning you don't need to get into the profession immediately before you didn't get a flavor of the field in general. Take a couple of general psych classes at first and later it'd be clearer to you what next step to take. We can only take one step at a time, and we can't see the whole way toward our goals from where we currently are. You will discover more as you go.

Feel free to ask me any questions either here or privately. I know what it's like to be at life's crossroads and I am always glad to help with information and by sharing my experience.

In my country you have to have a undergrad in something related to the psychology field, for example having a degree as a social worker or a doctor, ie something related to care-giving in some way. It isn´t possible to, for example, having a degree in engineering and then go into studies to become a T. That fact makes it more or less impossible for me to switch careers, I don´t know how to handle the fact.

Thanks for an informative answer. It seems there´s a difference in what university degree you can use as a ground level to enter into studies in psychology. In my country you can´t use a degree in the field of technology for example, you have to get a degree as a social worker, doctor or something similar at first.

I though find your story about how you got into the field of psychology encouraging as you too found "your way" later in life. Unfortunately finances often limits the possibilities, how did you finance those extensive studies?

I´ve been thinking of attending some kind of basic course in psychology, just to get a notion of what it´s like to study the subject at a university level. But then, I don´t know how to proceed. I really appreciate the possibility to talk to you further on this matter, I´ll contact you. Thanks.

I don't know what it's like where you live, but many therapists I know had a different career and started studying psychology and psychotherapy in their thirties or forties. In fact, a foreign trainer who came to teach us was quite surprised that the oldest in our group (olde than you) would have been the youngest in the training group in his country. I really think that your life experience will show. Personally, as a young therapist who chose this right from the beginning I feel a little self-conscious about not having much other experience, and I think that would be a strong point for you.

Would it be possible for you to try for a scholarship to help you pay for your studies? Or perhaps study in a different country where it might be cheaper and another process to become a therapist? It may be just my opinion, but personally I think being in your 30s is young to decide not to try to go for your dream and change direction, go back to school, etc.

If you just want to get a sense of what university-level psychology looks like, perhaps you could first try psychology MOOCs - free online courses offered by universities. They typically don't last very long and you just get a taste of it, but I took some interesting courses online and had something to learn even though I'd taken years of studies and training in real life before. I don't know if there are any MOOCs for college credit at this time or how that might work (and I'm a firm believer that psychology needs to be taught face to face), but it's a way you can start to learn.

I'm also available if you have any questions, though again, I don't know the system in your country.

That may depend on the standards in her country. For example, where I live, a psychotherapist normally has more extensive training than a psychologist. Neither requires a PhD here.

I agree with a lot of the of the ideas brillskep proposed.

Looking in other countries for a less intensive schooling program that would allow you to work a job in your current field while in school would be great, as well as potentially offer you a scholarship.

Also, maybe if you help and show great promise to a wealthy or influential company/ person they could give you some sort of contract agreement to work for a specific duration in exchange for a loan.

I agree that if you keep looking, I'm sure you'll find something eventually. Good luck to you!