CAREER: WHAT CAN I DO WITH A PSYCHOLOGY DEGREE?
"If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at will change" – Wayne Dyer
Studying psychology offers a deep understanding of human behavior, emotions, and thought processes, which is valuable in both personal and professional life. It helps you develop critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills that are useful in a wide range of careers, from mental health and education to business and technology. Psychology also provides insight into how people learn, make decisions, and interact with others: knowledge that can improve relationships, increase empathy, and support personal growth. Whether you want to help others through counseling, influence workplace dynamics, or contribute to research, psychology lays a strong and versatile foundation for making a meaningful impact in the world.
A psychology degree offers a wide range of career paths, both within psychology and in other fields where understanding human behavior is valuable. Here is a breakdown of why students choose to study psychology and the career opportunities it can lead to.
WHY SHOULD A STUDENT STUDY PSYCHOLOGY?
UNDERSTAND HUMAN BEHAVIOR
Psychology teaches you how people think, feel, and behave. This insight is useful in nearly every aspect of life: relationships, communication, work, and leadership.
DEVELOP TRANSFERABLE SKILLS
You gain:
· Critical thinking
· Research and data analysis
· Communication and interpersonal skills
· Problem-solving
· Emotional intelligence
PREPARE FOR DIVERSE CAREER PATHS
Psychology is a gateway to many fields—healthcare, business, education, tech, law, and more.
MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Many students are drawn to psychology because they want to help others, whether through mental health, education, or community services.
FLEXIBLE FOUNDATION
It’s a solid starting point for advanced study in fields like:
· Clinical or counseling psychology
· Social work
· Medicine
· Law
· Business (e.g., human resources, marketing)
WITH A BACHELOR’S DEGREE IN PSYCHOLOGY
You can pursue roles that value communication, analytical thinking, and understanding of human behavior. Common jobs include:
Human Services / Mental Health (Entry-Level)
· Case manager
· Behavioral technician
· Psychiatric technician
· Mental health support worker
Business / Corporate
· Human resources assistant or coordinator
· Market research analyst
· Sales representative
· Customer success specialist
· Training & development assistant
Education / Community
· Academic advisor
· Youth worker
· Program coordinator for nonprofits
Other Options
· Law enforcement or corrections officer
· Insurance claims adjuster
· UX research assistant (especially if paired with tech skills)
WITH A MASTER’S DEGREE (MA/MS, MSW, MFT, ETC.)
Licensed professional counselor (LPC)
Marriage and family therapist (LMFT)
School psychologist
Social worker (LMSW or LCSW, with licensure)
Industrial-organizational psychologist (sometimes requires PhD but not always)
College academic advisor or student affairs professional
WITH A DOCTORATE (PHD OR PSYD)
This opens the door to high-level clinical, academic, or research roles:
Clinical psychologist
Counseling psychologist
Forensic psychologist
Neuropsychologist
Professor or academic researcher
Organizational consultant
ALTERNATIVE CAREERS (FOR ALL LEVELS)
You can apply psychology in various non-traditional roles with extra training or skills:
UX researcher or designer (with additional training in design/research methods)
Data analyst (with statistical background)
Life or executive coach
Health educator
Content writer or science communicator
WANT TO SPECIALIZE OR ADVANCE?
You might consider:
Taking certification courses (e.g. in data analysis, counseling, UX)
Getting licensed (for therapy-related paths)
Pursuing grad school in a related field (e.g., education, social work, business, neuroscience, law)
THE BROAD FOCUS PF A PSYCH DEGREE ON PEOPLE AND BEHAVIOR MAKES IT USEFUL IN ALMOST ANY CAREER THAT INVOLVES WORKING WITH OTHERS OR SOLVING HUMAN-CENTERED PROBLEMS
