Media Psychology Careers
Explore the variety of career options awaiting future Media Psychology Professionals
Media Psychology Links
Simply try and count the number of careers or jobs today that use some type of media technology, and you will have an idea of the number of career options available to those interested in the Media Psychology field.
Media Psychology Career Titles
- New and Online Media Specialist
- User Interface Designer
- Interactive Designer
- Instructional Designer
- Curriculum Developer
Communication through a digitalized device is often called mediated technology. Just look around, and you will notice that mediated technologies are everywhere, from your cell phone to your Facebook page to the website that provides your daily stock quotes to your favorite news blog. Walk into nearly any business, nonprofit organization, art gallery, classroom, or health club, and computers are there - everywhere. They're on car dashboards and on cell phones, even household appliances.
On computerized devices, users access the Web to communicate. They talk to each other, to companies, to organizations, to people they know and people they don't know. This virtual conversation takes place over several different interfaces, continuously, and has ushered in a new age of consumer-designed content, crucial for businesses and other entities to understand and leverage.
This communication revolution translates into possibilities that were unimaginable even 10 years ago for those in the field of Media Psychology. Organizations no longer have a choice but to understand how the psychology of using, interacting with and benefiting from social networking sites, websites and other mediated interfaces affects overall goals or the bottom line.
Many with interests in health care, education, business or the arts benefit from a degree in media psychology. A health care professional, for example, can apply media psychology research in a variety of ways, including creating media-based tools for therapeutic purposes, or using media devices for health care prevention, such as weight loss, smoking cessation or helping implement an exercise plan. Media can also be used for support groups and distance health care.
Websites and suppliers of educational materials especially benefit from professionals with knowledge of media psychology. Educational-based companies must understand how to design interfaces that impart learning and empower students, young or adult. Also schools and companies that create distance-learning programs need the expertise of media psychology professionals to advise content writers and designers on interface functionality and ease-of-use.
Businesses need those with knowledge of media behavior to formulate technology training programs that impart knowledge and ease users' fears. Companies that specialize in technology need professionals who can advise engineers on interface design and usability, as well as learning styles and preferences. And virtual companies that employ Instant Messaging and other virtual communication tools use media psychology professionals to facilitate and guide virtual team-building.
Media psychology researchers are conducting some of the most advanced research today in how social networking tools can be used for social justice, community building, identity and branding.
Advertising firms and corporations need people who understand these tools, such as Twitter, MySpace and YouTube, to implement the new marketing paradigm constructed from these tools.
For those interested in the arts or entertainment industry, a background in media psychology will enable you to consult with writers, directors, animators, and video game producers. As a consultant, you will provide accurate descriptions of real-world social conditions, illnesses and stereotypes so that those in the industry can create meaningful and empowering movies, television programs and products.
Whether starting out with a degree in media psychology or adding to or supplementing another degree, this emerging field offers a rich diversity of options. If you are interested in the combination of psychology and media, you should consider getting a bachelor's, master's or PhD degree in media psychology or a related psychology field.