Careers in Paranormal Research
Paranormal research is typically performed by parapsychologists. Parasychology is the scientific study of psychic abilities and the existence of life after death.
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History
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Parapsychology began as a discipline in1892 and gained popularity during the 1970s when inquiry into the realm of parapsychology reached an all-time high.
Criticisms
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After the 1970s, the scientific world became increasingly skeptical of parapsychology. Only two university laboratories in the United States now participate in paranormal research (see Resources).
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Significance
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It is extremely difficult to earn a living simply by studying the subject. According to a study by Dr. Charles Tart, there are only 30 or 40 scientists across the world who work on paranormal research full time, and only a very few earn a profit (see References).
Training
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To work as a parapsychologist, it is necessary to obtain at least a bachelor's degree in a field such as physics or chemistry. Further schooling in parapsychology can be pursued at select universities (see Resources).
Skills
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For success as a full-time parapsychologist, you must possess strong business and marketing skills, creativity and persistence in addition to a strong scientific background. You must also be resilient and not get easily discouraged by skepticism.
Alternatives
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It is possible to study some aspects of paranormal phenomena through a more well-respected social science, such as sociology or anthropology.
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