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What can you do with a psychology degree?
Psychology Degree Careers
Having a psychology degree is often misunderstood. Most people think that it is just a path to a graduate school, but it is more than that. It is a staple for careers, especially careers that use communication, problem solving, research, and understanding the behavior of humans. A bachelor’s in psychology opens many doors.
Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. It examines how a person thinks, feels, and acts. It answers the why behind what we do. The goal is to describe, explain, and predict to try to improve human purpose.
“Psychology leads to working with anything human, which includes, of course, counseling, but also includes human resources, criminal justice and forensics, and research relating to human development, growth, and flourishing.”
What can you do with a degree in psychology?
So, what are some careers one can do with a bachelor’s in psychology? “There are so many things one can do with a degree in psychology,” said Sinisi.
HUMAN RESOURCES:
Working in human resources is a good career for recent psychology graduates because it centers on human behavior, emotions, and interactions.
Human Resources Manager
Human resource managers direct administrative tasks and functions for corporations across the globe. They manage the people side of the business. They do the hiring, payroll, employee benefits, resolve conflict, and more. They plan, coordinate, and direct the functions of a company or an organization.
Human Resources Specialist
While a human resource manager manages a bit of everything, a Human Resource Specialist only focuses on one specific field. They do the same things a human resource manager would do but focuses on a specific field or domain
Training and Development Coordinator
A training and development coordinator is a company’s organizational educator. Responsibilities include teaching staff new skills, organizing learning programs for companies, and sometimes leading training sessions.
CRISIS AND SOCIAL TRAUMA WORK:
Crisis and trauma social work professionals work alongside first responders and emergency forces to provide immediate care and support for individuals experiencing crisis.
Crisis Hotline Counselor
A crisis hotline counselor is a trained listener who will provide confidential and immediate emotional support to someone who is overwhelmed, distressed, or having thoughts of suicide. They can help calm an individual, give coping strategies, and connect with local help. They are judgment free people who will let people talk about what is bothering them. They will make sure the person is safe and will help de-escalate the situation. They also will offer advice, suggest tips, and can refer an individual to resources or therapists if needed.
Case Manager
A case manager can act as a guide. They assess someone’s needs and will connect someone with the resources they need. Case managers help others get the proper support that they need.
Victim Advocate
A victim advocate is someone who supports those who have been affected by crime or trauma. Just like a case manager, they act as a guide and help victims understand what their legal rights are, help them navigate the confusing court system, and help them access resources if needed such as an emergency shelter, counseling, and compensation. They provide a safe, nonjudgemental space to talk and help them process things.
EDUCATION:
While being a guidance counselor or a child psychologist requires having a master’s or more, there are still quite a few careers in education someone with a psychology degree can pursue.
Academic Advisor
An academic advisor helps students figure out what classes they need to take to graduate, keeps them on track with degree requirements and can connect someone to campus resources if needed.
Career Counselor
By furthering one’s education, one can become a licensed counselor. However, one can still have a career in counseling with a bachelor’s. For example, a career counselor advises students on career opportunities, assists with resume writing, and administrates personality or interest assessments.
Registered Behavior Technician
A Registered Behavior Technician works with the supervision of a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst. They work with children, specifically children who may have behavior or developmental disabilities to navigate life. They teach them life skills, help build their communication, and work on decreasing bad behaviors. Becoming a missionary in a Spanish-speaking country or in a primarily Spanish-speaking area in the U.S could be a great career for those who are looking to integrate their faith into their job.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE:
There are several paths a graduate in psychology can take in the criminal justice field, since most of the roles involve having a deep understanding of human behavior.
Probation/Parole Officer
A probation or parole officer supervises individuals who have been convicted of a crime, allowing them to live in the community rather than serving time in jail or prison. They meet regularly with the individual to track their progress, as well as conducting home and workplace visits, administering drug tests, and making sure that the individual is following all court-ordered rules.
Correctional Case Manager
A correctional case manager works in prisons to assess inmates’ mental health needs. They assist with their rehabilitation and prepare them as they re-enter society. They are the connection between the prisoners and staff.
Juvenile Justice Counselor
A juvenile justice counselor, or a corrections case worker, is someone who guides juveniles who have broken the law. They help the teens understand why they got into trouble, teach them better decision-making skills, and help them steer toward a more successful future. They also provide counseling to help youths address any trauma or anger.
Where will your psychology degree take you?
Getting a bachelor’s in psychology is more than just a steppingstone to graduate school. It is a great and versatile degree that can lead to many great careers in human resources, criminal justice, education, and much more not listed here. It is more than just studying how people think and behave, it is learning skills that almost any workplace values
Classes one would take include General Psychology, Intro to Behavior Statistics, Child Psychology, Intro to Counseling, and more.
Adrienne Antley, author, is an intern in the CSU Marketing & Communication Office and is a double major in communication and public health.
Learn more about Psychology at Charleston Southern.
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