3 answers
ashley
Student
Vancouver, Washington
1
Question
Asked
588 views
What job should I pursue after graduation?
I'm wondering what my options are jobwise after I graduate? I am a dual major in psychology and human development. In order to complete my degree I also need to intern somewhere and truthfully I don't know what I want to do. I'm thinking about the financial side more and I'm wanting to make around or above 65,000 a year which i don't know if that's too much out of college. I had a plan starting college but unfortunately due to life events I lost the passion for it and don't want to pursue extra education. Thank you!
3 answers
Michelle M.
Entertainment Industry
1916
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Ashley !
I am glad that you are reaching out about this and I think that I can give you some advice, insight and encouragement. I spent a very long time working in the human services field so I do understand everything you've explained and hopefully I can initiate some things for you to think about. In my opinion, your first priority will be to obtain the training that is required for your degree(s) as well as finish your double major for a Bachelors in Psychology as well as the Bachelors in Human Development which are very, very similar degrees. Do not quit.
So about the Internship. It's disappointing that your professor did not assign an Internship for you. You will need to go to all your local appropriate places and explain that you need an Internship and if they are willing to oversee it for you. Many places do not get involved in Internships and if you have issues finding one, ask your professor if volunteer work can act as an internship because there are no internships available. Meet with your professor to discuss this. This is the first thing that you need to resolve so that you can obtain your double major degrees and reap the benefits of all the hard work and effort that you've put into it. Do this as quick as possible and I will provide some resources for you here. You will need to focus on finishing your academic program and getting your degrees and later you can focus on applying for employment.
The life events that have caused you to lose interest in the fields you've studied have made an impact on you. There are always ways around this, but my first suggestion is to work on overcoming your loss of interest in what you've been studying. It's only natural that you wonder what type of job you can get without applying for jobs connected to your degrees. It may be a hard bill to fill, but you will have to maybe take some time after graduation to see what you would otherwise be qualified for. One thing that you can try is a career at a large corporation doing Human Resources. You can probably get a job in Insurance Sales or Recreation. Think about applying for a city or state job for after you graduate. No matter what field of work you transition to, you may have to do extra training, certifications or licenses. You won't be able to get a job if you don't have the education, training or experience in whatever job you apply for. That is why I advise trying to stick with the human services field for starters. I would also advise obtaining career counseling at your campus Student Center and Career Center. You need to discuss with someone what the life event was that caused you to not want a Psychology or Human Services career anymore.
Some places that you can try for an internship and volunteer work to get your hours in for your degree requirement are nursing homes, hospital behavioral health centers, senior centers, Adult Day Programs, Mental Health Day Programs, Counseling Centers and Centers for Independent Living which serve people that have disabilities. It may be possible to even seek these hours at your city departments or county departments. You will have to research this and pick something you know you can do for the amount of hours you're required.
You will learn about the salaries that are being offered at various jobs by reading employment notices and at job interviews you go on. We all would love to name our own salary and make that a condition, but you will have to be open minded and apply for work that you are qualified for. If you do not agree with the salary, you can choose not to accept the job, but I will advise that you should be very open minded if you do not plan to use your degrees in the field they are for.
To summarize, the first step will be to have as many verbal conversations with a career counselor as well as a situational counselor to come to terms on what you've invested in for the past several years and for your personal experience that has caused sudden disinterest in your majors. Once you get insight about the cause you can make clear decisions about how to go forward. You can read about careers, but resolving the personal issue may be just the thing to get you to see that you can continue forward. If you can't find an internship, consult with your professor about putting the hours in via volunteer work. Your Psychology and the Human Development Department should have a lot of resources and connections for you.
Also, feel free to return here to ask specific questions for whatever you would like advice for. I wish you all the best with moving forward on this and also hope that you make successful decisions for your future. You can do it !
COMMUNITY CENTERS FOR POSSIBLE INTERNSHIPS OR VOLUNTEER WORK FOR REQUIRED HOURS https://www.cityofvancouver.us/community/community-centers/
THE NATIONAL RESOURCE DIRECTORY FOR FINDING POSSIBLE INTERNSHIP OR VOLUNTEER WORK FOR REQUIRED HOURS https://nrd.gov/
I am glad that you are reaching out about this and I think that I can give you some advice, insight and encouragement. I spent a very long time working in the human services field so I do understand everything you've explained and hopefully I can initiate some things for you to think about. In my opinion, your first priority will be to obtain the training that is required for your degree(s) as well as finish your double major for a Bachelors in Psychology as well as the Bachelors in Human Development which are very, very similar degrees. Do not quit.
So about the Internship. It's disappointing that your professor did not assign an Internship for you. You will need to go to all your local appropriate places and explain that you need an Internship and if they are willing to oversee it for you. Many places do not get involved in Internships and if you have issues finding one, ask your professor if volunteer work can act as an internship because there are no internships available. Meet with your professor to discuss this. This is the first thing that you need to resolve so that you can obtain your double major degrees and reap the benefits of all the hard work and effort that you've put into it. Do this as quick as possible and I will provide some resources for you here. You will need to focus on finishing your academic program and getting your degrees and later you can focus on applying for employment.
The life events that have caused you to lose interest in the fields you've studied have made an impact on you. There are always ways around this, but my first suggestion is to work on overcoming your loss of interest in what you've been studying. It's only natural that you wonder what type of job you can get without applying for jobs connected to your degrees. It may be a hard bill to fill, but you will have to maybe take some time after graduation to see what you would otherwise be qualified for. One thing that you can try is a career at a large corporation doing Human Resources. You can probably get a job in Insurance Sales or Recreation. Think about applying for a city or state job for after you graduate. No matter what field of work you transition to, you may have to do extra training, certifications or licenses. You won't be able to get a job if you don't have the education, training or experience in whatever job you apply for. That is why I advise trying to stick with the human services field for starters. I would also advise obtaining career counseling at your campus Student Center and Career Center. You need to discuss with someone what the life event was that caused you to not want a Psychology or Human Services career anymore.
Some places that you can try for an internship and volunteer work to get your hours in for your degree requirement are nursing homes, hospital behavioral health centers, senior centers, Adult Day Programs, Mental Health Day Programs, Counseling Centers and Centers for Independent Living which serve people that have disabilities. It may be possible to even seek these hours at your city departments or county departments. You will have to research this and pick something you know you can do for the amount of hours you're required.
You will learn about the salaries that are being offered at various jobs by reading employment notices and at job interviews you go on. We all would love to name our own salary and make that a condition, but you will have to be open minded and apply for work that you are qualified for. If you do not agree with the salary, you can choose not to accept the job, but I will advise that you should be very open minded if you do not plan to use your degrees in the field they are for.
To summarize, the first step will be to have as many verbal conversations with a career counselor as well as a situational counselor to come to terms on what you've invested in for the past several years and for your personal experience that has caused sudden disinterest in your majors. Once you get insight about the cause you can make clear decisions about how to go forward. You can read about careers, but resolving the personal issue may be just the thing to get you to see that you can continue forward. If you can't find an internship, consult with your professor about putting the hours in via volunteer work. Your Psychology and the Human Development Department should have a lot of resources and connections for you.
Also, feel free to return here to ask specific questions for whatever you would like advice for. I wish you all the best with moving forward on this and also hope that you make successful decisions for your future. You can do it !
Michelle recommends the following next steps:
Thank you for giving me advice.
ashley
Liv Etter
1
Answer
Asbury Park, New Jersey
Updated
Liv’s Answer
Hi there,
To make a splash in the finance world, it's a great idea to double major in finance. This shows potential employers your dedication and passion for the field. Now, if fundraising is more your style, that's a whole different ball game. Did you know Indiana University at Purdue offers a master's program in Fundraising? Just some food for thought. I hope this gives you a bit of direction!
To make a splash in the finance world, it's a great idea to double major in finance. This shows potential employers your dedication and passion for the field. Now, if fundraising is more your style, that's a whole different ball game. Did you know Indiana University at Purdue offers a master's program in Fundraising? Just some food for thought. I hope this gives you a bit of direction!
Hi, I apologize for my confusing wording I meant the I'm looking at what I could make and prioritizing that vs what I do!
ashley
Tony Roig
Volunteer
53
Answers
New Hope, Pennsylvania
Updated
Tony’s Answer
Hi Ashley,
Agree with others on the importance of an internship or some kind of practical or "applied" experience utilizing what your learning. When I was a psych major I was fortunate that a professor involved in the Psychology Club got me one at a company through his connections which was an eye opening experience. So check with the career office, your advisors, professors, work study, etc. I also recommend using the free resources college career offices provide and take career tests to provide you with additional info on your preferences, interests, talents and personality to help guide you. They also provide you salary info.
Agree with others on the importance of an internship or some kind of practical or "applied" experience utilizing what your learning. When I was a psych major I was fortunate that a professor involved in the Psychology Club got me one at a company through his connections which was an eye opening experience. So check with the career office, your advisors, professors, work study, etc. I also recommend using the free resources college career offices provide and take career tests to provide you with additional info on your preferences, interests, talents and personality to help guide you. They also provide you salary info.
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