The beginning of my career as a psychologist.

My life as a student has finally come to an end! I graduated from university not long ago, which means I am now a licenced psychologist! After I applied for multiple jobs related to this field, I received two job offers for vacant positions. Which one should I choose?

Choice 1 : A job as a psychologist in a psychiatric hospital.

Choice 2 : A job as a research psychologist.

A job as a psychologist in a psychiatric hospital.

Working as a psychologist in a psychiatric hospital is fascinating. I am working alongside a psychiatrist. He helps me to learn the ropes since I just started my career as a psychologist. We take charge of many patients together. I do some of the counseling alone, though. Recently, we took care of a dreading case. It was a patient with a spectrum of psychopathy and a personality disorder. He was also really violent. The psychiatrist told me that he could potentially be dangerous. He could even be a threat to society. The psychiatrist told me to decide whether if we should let the patient go back home or not. That is a big decision. What should I do with him?

Choice 1 : Intern the patient in the hospital and finding the appropriate treatment.

Choice 2 : Let the patient go home and not making a big deal out of it. Those kinds of disorders often leave an impression of the patient being dangerous.

A job as a research psychologist.

Since I was hired in a group of researchers and psychologists, we have been working on a study about child development. I am in charge of drafting the research report. Basically, I have to write the results and the process of the research on paper. I also have to read previous research of the same subject and write another report about it. One of the advantages of being a research psychologist is that I have a premium wage. However, there is a lack of human interactions, and I work a lot. Should I keep this job or look for something else?

Choice 1 : Keep the job.

Choice 2 : Look for another job.

Intern the patient in the hospital and finding the appropriate treatment.

The psychiatrist and I found that it was best to intern the patient. After a few weeks with a lot of counseling, the patient admitted to me that the voices in his head were telling him to hurt people. One week later, I found out that the patient made up a vicious plan which consisted of shooting up the store near his house. He wrote his plan on a small piece of paper, which was found under his pillow, in his room. What should I do with this information?

Choice 1 : Advise the authorities.

Choice 2 : Not making a big deal out of this information. The patient has a serious mental disorder, we should not take everything he does seriously.

Let the patient go home and not making a big deal out of it. Those kinds of disorders often leave an impression of the patient being dangerous.

After the patient has returned home, we did not hear from him for three weeks. Last week, while I was writing a report for another patient, the psychiatrist I work with wanted to see me. He told me that our patient had shoot up a store and killed five people. He told me it was all over the news. He even told me that the news announced that the perpetrator was a mentally ill patient of our hospital... Nobody should be aware that I was the one who let him out, or I will maybe lose my job! At the same time, I feel kind of guilty... How should I react about this information?

Choice 1 : Give up this job.

Choice 2 : Find a way to be considered innocent.

Advise the authorities.

After I advised the authorities about this information, the patient was brought into a correctional facility. He was considered a danger for society, authorities said. Also, I learned that he had a huge criminal record, which included public misconduct. This choice was clearly beneficial for society! We can now close this case!

Choice 1 : Go back to the beginning

Not making a big deal out of this information. The patient has a serious mental disorder, we should not take everything he does seriously.

Since we can not intern a patient for more than one month, we had to let the patient go. Three weeks later, the Psychiatrist and I learned that this particular patient had shoot up a store, and killed five people. I felt guilt all over my body. This was too much. What should I do?

Choice 1 : Give up this job.

Choice 2 : Seeing this event as a life lesson, which will allow me to improve in my work.

Give up this job.

This situation was too much to handle. I felt so much guilt that I quit this job. I could not continue to be a psychologist knowing that my error cost the lives of five people. I should have taken this patient's intentions more seriously. My career is screwed. I will probably be back to work at a dead-end job...

Choice 1 : Go back to the beginning

Seeing this event as a life lesson, which will allow me to improve in my work.

Since the incident, I am way more vigilant about the patient's intentions. I analyse their behaviour with precision and care. I think that this experience has allowed me to be better at what I do. I even received a premium wage for my good work. Congratulations to me! This wage will allow me to go shopping more often. Cool!

Choice 1 : Go back to the beginning

Find a way to be considered innocent.

I can not tell everyone that the perpetrator was my patient. What will the world think? If the public knows that he was my patient, I would somehow be considered guilty because I am the one who let him out of the hospital... Or, I have a better idea. I could lie and tell everyone that it was the psychiatrist's decision to let him out... Not mine! Should I lie?

Choice 1 : Yes.

Choice 2 : No.

Yes.

I told everyone that it was the psychiatrist decision for letting the patient out of the hospital and that it was basically his fault if the shooting happened! He got fired... Poor him! At least, I get to keep my job!

Choice 1 : Go back to the beginning

No.

Finally, I did not say anything. I continued to pretend that I never met this patient... Oops!

Choice 1 : Go back to the beginning

Keep the job.

I decided to keep the job, but it is so boring! I don't think that research is my cup of tea! At least I am well-paid! I can afford to travel, to eat at the restaurant, and to buy a ton of clothes! At least, I will get to live a wealthy life even if I don't like my job. Maybe my job won't make me happy, but money certainly will!

Choice 1 : Go back to the beginning

Look for another job.

I decided to quit my job as a research psychologist! As I was looking for a new job, I decided that I did not want to be a psychologist anymore. I saw a job offer in Australia. The job is basically to take care of rescued kangaroos and koalas. I would get to try something new, and I would get to visit a beautiful country! Should I go for it?

Choice 1 : Yes.

Choice 2 : No.

Yes.

I got the job, and it is the best choice that I have ever made. I made new friends, and I love my work, what more could I ask? However, there is only one thing. Yesterday, I saw my colleague hit a baby koala in the face because it bit her. I don't think that it was morally correct of him... Poor Koala! What should I do?

Choice 1 : Report the incident to the boss.

Choice 2 : Tell him that it is not morally correct to hit an animal.

No.

I realized that taking this job would get me out of my comfort zone too much. Instead, I chose to take a break from working. I decided that it would be better for me if I stayed home for a bit. Time to relax!

Choice 1 : Go back to the beginning

Report the incident to the boss.

When I told the boss that I saw my colleague hit a baby koala, he immediately fired him! I heard their conversation and my colleague was very pissed off to be fired! He even screamed at the boss. My psychology knowledge is telling me that my colleague may have anger issues! Anyway, it is a good thing that he got fired! No violence is accepted here! I can now know that the animals will be safe.

Choice 1 : Go back to the beginning

Tell him that it is not morally correct to hit an animal.

I told my colleague about his bad behavior. However, is reaction was pretty strange... When I blamed him for hitting a baby Koala, he told me to mind my business or the next thing he would hit is me... I am a little scared. He has no empathy...He may be a narcissist... Should I tell him to consult a mental health professional?

Choice 1 : Yes.

Choice 2 : No.

Yes.

When I told him that he should consult, he was furious. I think that he did not want to admit that he has mental issues. He was insulting me and telling me how I should not get involved in his business... He even pushed me violently on the wall and told me to never talk to him again... One week later, my colleague was fired because he had been verbally aggressive with my boss. Good thing that he was fired! The working atmosphere can finally return to its normal state.

Choice 1 : Go back to the beginning

No.

Finally, I kept my mouth shut, and minded my own business. However, I definitely think he has mental health issues. I spoke to my boss about it, and he agreed with me. He told me that he will fire him if another incident like this happen, which would not surprise me. To be continued...

Choice 1 : Go back to the beginning