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Behavioral Scientist - Career Profile |
Career OverviewThe term, behavioral science, is often confused with the term, social sciences. Although the fields are related, behavioral sciences involve investigating the decision processes and communication strategies within and between organisms in social systems.
The principle guiding fields of behavioral science are psychology and social neuroscience. Behavioral scientists undertake the systematic analysis and investigation of human and animal behavior through observation.
In reality, behavioral scientists fill a range of positions. They can become anthropologists, criminologists, criminal profilers, social workers, economic analysts, and market researchers, applying their understanding of human psychology, thought processes, and social communication patterns.
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Career RequirementsMost positions open to behavioral scientists require at least a Bachelor’s degree in the discipline from an accredited university. Depending on the position, behavioral scientists require job training; as a social worker, for example, they will require training to address situations involving domestic violence and child abuse as well as additional education, at least in some positions, as to the nature of family law at a state and national level.
Behavioral scientists who want to pursue careers in social work are often require professional certification; all fifty states, including the District of Columbia, have licensing, certification, or registration requirements for social workers and those who wish to use specific professional titles. Credentials are considered particularly important for those in private practice.
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Job OutlookAs recently as the 1980s, behavioral scientists found jobs as social workers or as academics. Now, behavioral scientists can relate their knowledge to many different professional areas, including business fields and many areas of medical practice.
The field is being redefined; it is dynamic and full of potential. The range of possible applications for behavioral scientists determines that the career outlook can only be regarded as positive, with many opportunities to practice within the medical field.
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Career TrackBehavioral scientists have a very flexible career track at this point. They can work for government agencies or non-profit organizations, principally in the capacity of a social worker, helping groups such as children, abuse victims, and the physically and mentally disabled.
They can also choose to apply their knowledge to work as analysts for businesses, corporations that have interests in marketing and advertising strategies; a need to understand the consumer. Behavioral scientists can choose relative stability, working full-time for a company or organization. On the other hand, they can choose to freelance, running their own company and applying their skills on a per project basis to research and general analysis.
The United States Department of Labor has predicted that the job growth for behavioral scientists will be well above the average rate over the next ten year period.
Advancement within the field may include promotion and salary increase. In addition to positions as social workers and analysts, there are certainly positions for behavioral scientists to undertake research and teaching positions.
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CompensationAlthough compensation for behavior scientists certainly varies, the average reported salaries range between about $30,000 per year to as much as $90,000 per year, depending largely upon the nature of the position.
Benefits also vary from one position to the next, but, due to the growth of the industry and increased job prospects, in most instances, benefits are competitive. They may include medical and dental insurance coverage, disability coverage, salary bonuses, and paid vacations.
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