If you are interested in studying mental health and its connection to science, a psychology degree program may make sense for you. But what can you do with a psychology degree? Aside from a more “conventional” career as a psychologist, there is actually a lot you could do with this versatile degree. With a better understanding of what this type of degree program entails and how you might be able to apply it, you may better determine whether psychology is a suitable field of study.
Understanding the Value of a Psychology Degree
Before enrolling in a psychology degree program, you may be wondering what you stand to gain from having this type of bachelor’s degree under your belt.
The Worth of a Psychology Degree in the Job Market
The good news is that having a psychology degree could benefit you in many ways, especially when it comes to growing your career skills. In a psychology degree program, you focus on versatile skills like critical thinking, communication, interpersonal effectiveness, and more. These plus other skills gained from a dedicated degree in psychology are easily transferable and may be useful in numerous fields.
The Impact of Specialization in Psychology on Career Options
Even if you know you are interested in psychology, you may want to further specialize your knowledge by pursuing a concentration as part of your degree program. Different schools may offer different concentrations, but common options include:
- Applied behavior analysis
- Human development, education, and health
- Industrial/organizational psychology
Exploring Job Opportunities With a Psychology Degree
So, what jobs can you do with a psychology degree? Explore some exciting possibilities below, then consider which jobs might appeal to you most.
Careers in Mental Health and Therapy
Many psychology graduates go on to work in mental health as therapists, counselors, psychologists, and psychologists. This may be an ideal career path if you enjoy helping others work through problems and become the best versions of themselves. However, for these careers, it is worth noting that therapists and counselors often pursue master’s degrees while psychologists typically hold a doctoral degree. So, although this line of work is a fantastic way to work directly with patients in individual and group settings, you will need to keep the additional education and experience in mind.
Opportunities in Social Work
Another impactful career choice for psychology degree holders is social work. In this realm, you could help families and individuals with employment services, food, housing, and more. To see up-to-date data on where this career may be heading in the next few years, check out the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, for an in-depth look!
Teaching Careers for Psychology Majors
Some professionals with a psychology background become health educators, working to promote overall health and wellness in their respective communities. In this type of job, you might teach classes in a school, hospital, or clinical psychology setting under the guidance of a program director or similar leadership. This could be highly rewarding, particularly for those who enjoy teaching others and making a direct impact in their communities.
Role of a Career Counselor in the Employment Sector
A potential job to consider with a psychology degree is that of a career counselor, where you could work directly with individuals to help them realize, plan, and accomplish their professional goals. In this type of job, you might help someone pursue their dream job and work with them to create an actionable plan to achieve short- and long-term goals.
The Intriguing Field of Forensic Psychology
Forensic psychologists most often work in the legal field, handling tasks like assessing child custody cases, providing expert testimony when needed, and even developing profiles of criminals.
Probation Officer: A Different Perspective in Law Enforcement
In addition, some psychology majors go on to work in law enforcement as probation officers and correctional specialists. These professionals work to rehabilitate offenders who may be serving time in jail, out on probation, or on parole. This type of work can be challenging but also fulfilling to know you are making a difference while helping others turn their lives around.
Intersection of Psychology and Business: Advertising/Marketing Manager
Are you interested in the psychology behind marketing and advertising? If so, you might consider putting your psychology degree to use as a marketing or advertising manager, where you could use principles of psychology to help businesses and organizations optimize their marketing budgets and build their brands. If you’re interested in the seeing the official outlook in this career field, check out the BLS data!
Sales and Market Research Roles for Psychology Graduates
Dealing with the science and research behind the psychology field as well as gathering and analyzing data, a job as a sales and market research analyst might be a good fit. This field relies heavily on research and data but could be a lucrative option for those who enjoy this kind of work.
Alternative Careers for Psychology Graduates
Opportunities in Business and Human Resources
Having a solid understanding of psychology and how human behavior works could come in handy in the business and human resources fields, especially when it comes to working with different personalities and unifying diverse workforces.
Impacting Lives Through Education
Teaching is a noble line of work that some who hold a psychology degree might enter. Whether you decide to teach psychology or a related subject, you may qualify for teaching positions at the primary or secondary level, depending on your degree type and level of experience. However, further certification and licensure may be required.
Contributing to Healthcare
Becoming a clinical psychologist is another rewarding career for those with a psychology degree. However, a psychology degree is the first step. To be a professional psychologist, you will need to get a PsyD before you can be a working professional. However, once you acquire this, you will find that professionals in this field tend to work in healthcare settings to assess, diagnose, and treat patients one-on-one.
Criminal Justice: A Unique Path for Psychology Grads
If you are interested in law enforcement or criminal justice, serving as a human behavior specialist or probation officer may allow you to apply what you learned in a psychology degree program. Additional education will be required past your bachelor’s degree for these positions. Depending on your choice as well as the state you live in, you may need a master’s degree in psychology or a related field as well as possibly needing a certification in either counseling, behavioral analysis, or applied behavior analysis.
Enhancing Job Prospects as a Psychology Graduate
No matter if you are thinking about enrolling in a psychology degree program or already studying psychology, there are some things you should keep in mind to potentially elevate your job prospects once you graduate and start looking for work in your field.
Leveraging Knowledge and Skills for a Competitive Edge
If you already know what kind of job you want to pursue once you graduate, take some time now to start looking at relevant job postings. Even if you are not ready to actually apply for any of these jobs, reading job descriptions and requirements may help you get a better feel for the kinds of skills and knowledge you need to perform the job well.
From there, you could focus more specifically on developing these skills and areas of knowledge throughout your studies. If possible or applicable, you might even consider a volunteer position, internship, or similar opportunity that allows you to build upon these skills outside of the classroom and include them on your resume.
Importance of Networking in Job Search
For many new graduates, landing that first job is all about networking and who you know—and that is no different in the field of psychology. As you prepare for your job search, look for networking opportunities through your school and elsewhere. You might consider, for instance, attending an industry conference or other event where you have the ability to connect with others in your field. Likewise, building a professional profile on a site like LinkedIn could open the doors to networking with other psychology professionals from all around the world.
With a psychology degree, the possibilities are vast. Whether you’re drawn to law enforcement, human services, or mental health, this versatile degree has a multitude of career paths you may decide to walk. From understanding human behavior within the realm of law enforcement to providing invaluable support in human services or mental health settings, a psychology degree equips you with the tools and insights necessary to excel.Top of Form
Seeking a psychology degree program to help you launch your career in psychology? A Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Post University could be an excellent starting point. This program is offered both on campus and online, allowing the flexibility and versatility you need to pursue your passions without putting the rest of your life on hold. Meanwhile, this industry-focused curriculum is designed to help you build a foundation of insights and practical skills.
The Bachelor of Arts in Psychology degree is not designed to fulfill the educational requirements for any professional credential, such as licenses for clinical psychology or therapy.
Post University assists in researching and providing information regarding licensure; however, each state has different requirements for such licensure outside of the required education. Such state requirements may include licensure exams, background checks, certain work experience, and more. It is ultimately the responsibility of each student to manage their own licensure process and to ensure that all requirements are met in order for the student to obtain licensure. Post University does not speak on behalf of any licensing board or body and does not guarantee licensure. Requirements for licensure are subject to change without notice. Learn about psychology credentials, which vary by state, through the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards: http://psybook.asppb.org/.
Ready to learn more about the bachelor’s in psychology program at Post University? Get in touch or start filling out your online application today.
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Please note jobs and/or career outcomes highlighted in this blog do not reflect jobs or career outcomes expected from any Post program. To learn more about Post’s programs and their outcomes, please fill out a form to speak with an admissions advisor.