Careers

Employers want liberal arts graduates because they arrive into the workforce with a strong set of skills in critical thinking, ethical judgement, written and oral communication, and the ability to work effectively in teams. 

With a bachelors degree in Psychology you also bring to the table specific abilities in scientific reasoning, complex problem solving, research methods; and knowledge of human behavior and mental processes. This wide range of skills and knowledge can be applied across many different career fields. 

As you grow and continue to learn, so will your career interests. This is normal. In fact, in your lifetime you can expect to change careers on average of 3 to 7 times. Your foundation in the liberal arts and Psychology is what will allow for you to navigate these career changes and set you up for long-term success.

To support students through the career exploration process, every Psychology major takes the Professional Practices course during their junior year. This class is conducted in collaboration with Hastings College - Career Services and has each student:

• complete interest, skill, and motivational inventories 

• learn about career options with a Psychology major

• prepare a resume and cover letter

• practice the job search process

• practice job interview responses

• learn about gradudate school options and the application process

Careers With a Graduate Degree

A bachelor's degree in psychology prepares you for graduate level study in psychology, business, healthcare, law, and/or education. About 25 percent of psychology graduates go on to graduate school in Psychology and about 18 percent go on for more education in another field such as business or education (Lin, Christidis & Stamm, 2017). While you do not need an advanced degree to find a fullfilling career, your options broaden as you acquire more education and some areas, such professions as Clinical Mental Health Counseling, require graduate level education.

Popular careers that require graduate level education include:

• Clinical Mental Health Counselor

• Social Worker

• School Counselor

• Clinical Psychologist

• Counseling Psychologist

• Occupational Therapy

• Speech Pathology

• Sports Psychologist

• Forensic Psychologist

Career Exploration

If you are already starting to think about future career options, ask yourself the following five (5) questions:

1. Which subjects "energize" you?

2. Which environments bring out your best?

3. What are you doing when you feel most confident?

4. What kind of work would give you a sense of purpose and be personally fulfilling?

5. What are your values?

To explore various videos across a whole range of career options, check out: Dr. Kit - Career Videos 

To read more about career oppotunities in psychology, check out: APA - Preparing to Use your Psych Degree 

To read more about career opportunities in psychology with a graduate degree, check out: APA - Career Guides

APA: Degree Pathways in Psychology

References

Lin, L., Christidis, P., & Stamm, K. (2017, October). The path to becoming a psychologist. Monitor on Psychology, 48(9), 17.