Psychology

Career Programs and Student Development

Explore - What Can I Do with This Major?

Psychology

Links to related Web Sites are listed at the bottom of this page.

AREAS

EMPLOYERS

STRATEGIES

HUMAN SERVICES
Counseling
Advocacy
Mental Health Services
Case Management
Programming
Community Relations
Administration

Federal government, including Departments of:
Health and Human Services
Justice
Veterans Administration
State government, including Departments of:
Human Services
Mental Health & Mental Retardation
Community mental health centers
State psychiatric hospitals
Facilities for mentally impaired
Justice
Probation and parole
Local government
Senior citizens' centers
United Way agencies
Nonprofit organizations
Religiously-affiliated service organizations
Hospitals

Obtain essential practical experience through part-time or summer jobs such as camp counselor, tutor, or resident hall advisor.
Complete an internship for academic credit.
Gain experience through volunteering with organizations such as crisis hotlines, Big Brother or Sister, Special Olympics, service fraternities or sororities, etc.
Many entry-level helping positions require one year of related experience. Volunteer experience can typically fulfill this requirement.
Learn to work well with different types of people.
Develop strong communication skills.
Cultivate the desire to help others.
Become fluent in a foreign language spoken by multicultural clients.
Be willing to relocate.
Become familiar with government hiring procedures.
Acquire knowledge of government and coummunity resources available for those in need.
Obtain a graduate degree in psychology, counseling, or social work for substantive counseling work and advancement into administrative work.
Many specialities exist at the graduate level, for example school counseling, mental health counseling, rehabilitation counseling, etc. Pursue particular degrees depending upon interests and career goals.
Pursue an excellent academic record.

RESEARCH

Federal government including:
Department of Health and Human Services
National Institute of Education
Office of Naval Research
National headquarters of non-profit organizations
Universities and colleges

Work with a professor on his or her research project.
Develop strong quantitative and statistical skills.
Obtain a graduate degree for greater opportunities.

HUMAN RESOURCES
Employment and Recruitment
Labor Relations
Compensation and Benefits

Large companies
Government agencies
Employment and temporary agencies
Large non-profit organizations including hospitals and educational institutions

Acquire related experience as a resident hall advisor,
orientation leader, admissions tour guide, or student assistant in career services.
Find student organization committee work in policy
making or settling disputes.
Supplement curriculum with business courses.
Acquire strong computer skills.

PUBLIC RELATIONS
Research
Programming
Writing and Editing
Event Planning
Media Placement
Public Speaking
Fund-raising

Public relations and advertising firms
Companies with public relations departments
Professional associations
Federal, state and local government
Colleges and universities
Non-profit organizations

Develop strong writing and speaking skills.
Obtain related experience with campus newspaper,
television, or radio station.
Serve as an admissions tour guide or work in alumni relations or other PR-related functions.
Volunteer as a fund-raiser or political canvasser.
Gain experience through internships.
Join the campus chapter of Public Relations Society of
America.

ADVERTISING
Creative
Media
Account Services
Research

Advertising agencies
Companies with in-house advertising
agencies or departments

Obtain relevant experience with campus newspaper,
television, or radio station.
Work with student-run businesses.
Find an internship, even if unpaid, with a market
research or advertising firm.
Develop a portfolio for creative positions.
Obtain a business minor or double major for account
services positions.

MARKET RESEARCH

Market research firms
Market research departments of
consumer goods and manufacturing firms

Develop a strong background in math and statistics.
Get involved in the American Marketing Association.
Obtain related experience. Get a part-time or summer field service position with a market research firm.
Obtain business research experience.
Serve as a canvasser or phone interviewer for a non-profit organziation or political campaign.
Earn a graduate degree in statistics or marketing for the greatest number of opportunities.

TEACHING

Public and private schools
Colleges and universities

Obtain teaching certificate for public school positions. Dual certification will increase marketability.
Seek guidance from education department of your college.
Secure strong personal recommendations.
Volunteer as a tutor.
Gain experience working with children or adolescents.
PhD required for post-secondary teaching.

RETAILING
Management

Department stores
Specialty stores
Discount stores
Super retailers

Secure leadership positions in campus organizations.
Work a part-time or summer job in a retail store.
Demonstrate a willingness to take on additional
responsibilities such as "assistant manager."
Be willing to start in a management-trainee program.
Learn to work well with different types of people.

SALES

Retailers
Service providers
Wholesalers
Manufacturers
Insurance companies
Real estate companies

Obtain experience through internships or sales jobs.
Take business courses.
Participate in student organizations and seek leadership roles.
Must be highly motivated and well organized.
Develop a strong commitment to customer satisfaction.
Must work well under pressure and be comfortable in a
competitive environment.

GENERAL INFORMATION
• Psychology provides a broad, liberal arts background.
• Some students may choose to study psychology because they enjoy the subject but wish to pursue careers requiring "any major." In this scenario, it is critical
to develop desirable skills through internships, part-time or summer jobs, or volunteer experiences. Some skills valued most by employers include:
communcation, interpersonal, leadership, teamwork, and computer skills.
• Other students may major in psychology because they want to work in a related field. Many entry-level helping positions are available, however the amount of
direct client contact is limited for those who have a bachelor's degree. Students may wish to pursue graduate education in psychology, social work,
counseling, college student personnel, or other related fields to increase opportunities and earning potential.
• For those wishing to pursue graduate education, maintain a high grade point average, secure strong faculty recommendations, and gain experience through
volunteer or work opportunties. Assist a faculty member with his or her research.

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