Great Careers

Psychology is an expanding field, and those with bachelor's degrees in psychology have a variety of options upon graduation. Advanced degrees (graduate, doctoral) are required to gain licensing in order to become a psychologist or a psychiatrist. A bachelor's degree in psychology lays a foundation for advanced degrees. Psychology majors learn a vast number of skills like critical thinking, evaluating data, deductive and inductive reasoning, writing and communication.

These skills are valued in a variety of fields like:

Graduate school - Many graduates choose to advance their career in a particular area of interest. These advanced degrees will enable students to teach collegiate level classes.

Case management - These individuals work for both profit and nonprofit organizations, day care providers, half-way homes, youth/adult/senior citizen's programs or group homes.

Organization research and evaluation - This type of work can be done for community centers, hospitals, adoption agencies, rehabilitation centers or camp programs. Psychology majors research data and write extensively, which is exactly what these positions require.

Social work - Social workers are found in local, federal and state agencies.

Department of Human Services - Many DHS departments, when hiring, look for graduates to work with children and families who have a background in psychology.

Law school - Majoring in a liberal arts field like psychology combines well with a degree in law, as you will have to read extensively while maintaining knowledge of overall ideas, create cohesive arguments and find research to back your arguments.

Business to business sales - Complicated sales processes involve researching alternative solutions, finding reviews, and writing up findings in a cogent manner. This requires writing, reading, and analytical skills, which are exactly what psychology majors learn.

Public relations - Psychology majors study and learn to understand behavior, which is needed in public relations. Those in public relations write press releases, pitch letters, and newsletters; research content for social media; write and edit web content as well as print material. Many campaigns and government agencies also hire public relations personnel.

Sales - This career choice can be quite lucrative for some, and requires skills to analyze, communicate, sense customer's needs and empathize. Most psychology majors develop these skills throughout their academic careers.

Policy analyst - A policy analyst uses analysis, writing and planning to developing new polices. Both governmental agencies and businesses in the private sector hire people to develop policies and communicate them clearly to the target audience.

Human relations - Careers in this field combine psychology, communication and research. There are a variety of opportunities in HR like:

• Recruiter
• Human Service Worker
• Labor Relations Manager
• Community Development Worker
• Social Worker
• Mental Health Aide
• Placement/Employment Manager

 

A vast number of sub-fields in psychology exist and continue to expand (clinical psychology, gene therapy, cognitive psychology, etc.). Graduate degrees or advanced degrees are required to specialize in these areas, and students are encouraged to ask professors for insight into graduate schools and specific areas of interest. 

To find out more about a specific area in psychology, visit the American Psychological Association website.