5 answers
Paulix
Student
La Puente, California
1
Question
Updated
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What should I be looking for when trying to get a job in psychology ?
I plan on going into psychology as my major but after that i’m unsure where I should be applying for jobs
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5 answers
Chinyere Okafor
Educationist and Counseling Psychologist
549
Answers
Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria
Updated
Chinyere’s Answer
Hello Paulix,
This is a solid plan to major in psychology—such a fascinating field with tons of career paths! After your degree, you’ll have plenty of options to consider, especially depending on your interests within psychology.
Here’s what can really help you stand out:
1. Explore Different Psychology Fields Early On
Psychology is such a diverse field! Some people are drawn to clinical or counseling psychology, working directly with people in therapy settings, while others get excited about forensic psychology and understanding criminal behavior. There’s also school psychology for those who enjoy working with students, or industrial-organizational psychology if you’re interested in the business side of things, like workplace behavior and team dynamics. Getting a feel for what each field is like can help you target specific career paths after graduation.
2. Find Internships and Entry-Level Roles for Hands-On Experience
Starting out in internships or part-time jobs can give you real-world experience and make your resume shine. Look for roles like:
- Research Assistant – Universities and research labs often need assistants, and this gives you direct experience in the scientific side of psychology.
- Behavioral Health Technician or Mental Health Aide – These roles are great entry points and let you work with patients in hospitals, clinics, or rehab centers.
- Administrative Roles in Mental Health or Counseling Centers – These positions give you exposure to therapy settings, even if you’re not licensed yet.
3. Think Beyond Therapy—There Are So Many Settings for Psychologists
Psychologists work in more places than just private practices. There are roles in:
- Hospitals and Clinics – Working with patients on mental health treatment teams.
- Nonprofit Organizations – Helping communities in crisis and making a big impact.
- Schools – Supporting students’ academic and emotional well-being.
- Corporations – Helping businesses improve workplace culture and team dynamics.
- Government Agencies – This could be anything from working in correctional facilities to helping with policy-making.
4. Build Specialized Skills to Boost Your Marketability
Certifications can be a huge plus, even right after undergrad. For instance:
- Mental Health First Aid Certification – This is a great one if you’re interested in mental health support roles.
- Research Methods and Data Analysis Skills – Super valuable if you’re leaning towards a research-focused career.
- Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) – Perfect if you’re interested in working with autism or behavior-focused roles.
5. Network and Get Involved
Connect with professors, attend psychology events, and join associations like the American Psychological Association. Networking can open doors to job opportunities you might not have even considered and help you make valuable connections in the field.
6. Consider Graduate School if You’re Aiming for Specialized Roles
Many psychology careers, especially in counseling, clinical, or advanced research roles, do require a master’s or doctoral degree. If you’re drawn to specific areas like therapy, working with clients, or specialized interventions, graduate school will be the next step. But even after undergrad, there are still tons of valuable roles to explore to help you decide!
After Graduation, Here Are Some Job Ideas:
- Research Assistant – This is an excellent entry-level role if you’re curious about the science behind psychology.
- Human Resources Specialist – Leverages your understanding of human behavior in the workplace.
- Case Worker in social services – You’d be helping individuals and families who need support.
- Behavioral Health Technician – This is a hands-on role in a clinical setting.
- Rehabilitation Specialist – Working with individuals overcoming substance abuse or mental health challenges.
Starting with internships or entry-level jobs can really help you see what you enjoy and where you might want to specialize. It sounds like you're headed in a great direction!
Best wishes!
This is a solid plan to major in psychology—such a fascinating field with tons of career paths! After your degree, you’ll have plenty of options to consider, especially depending on your interests within psychology.
Here’s what can really help you stand out:
1. Explore Different Psychology Fields Early On
Psychology is such a diverse field! Some people are drawn to clinical or counseling psychology, working directly with people in therapy settings, while others get excited about forensic psychology and understanding criminal behavior. There’s also school psychology for those who enjoy working with students, or industrial-organizational psychology if you’re interested in the business side of things, like workplace behavior and team dynamics. Getting a feel for what each field is like can help you target specific career paths after graduation.
2. Find Internships and Entry-Level Roles for Hands-On Experience
Starting out in internships or part-time jobs can give you real-world experience and make your resume shine. Look for roles like:
- Research Assistant – Universities and research labs often need assistants, and this gives you direct experience in the scientific side of psychology.
- Behavioral Health Technician or Mental Health Aide – These roles are great entry points and let you work with patients in hospitals, clinics, or rehab centers.
- Administrative Roles in Mental Health or Counseling Centers – These positions give you exposure to therapy settings, even if you’re not licensed yet.
3. Think Beyond Therapy—There Are So Many Settings for Psychologists
Psychologists work in more places than just private practices. There are roles in:
- Hospitals and Clinics – Working with patients on mental health treatment teams.
- Nonprofit Organizations – Helping communities in crisis and making a big impact.
- Schools – Supporting students’ academic and emotional well-being.
- Corporations – Helping businesses improve workplace culture and team dynamics.
- Government Agencies – This could be anything from working in correctional facilities to helping with policy-making.
4. Build Specialized Skills to Boost Your Marketability
Certifications can be a huge plus, even right after undergrad. For instance:
- Mental Health First Aid Certification – This is a great one if you’re interested in mental health support roles.
- Research Methods and Data Analysis Skills – Super valuable if you’re leaning towards a research-focused career.
- Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) – Perfect if you’re interested in working with autism or behavior-focused roles.
5. Network and Get Involved
Connect with professors, attend psychology events, and join associations like the American Psychological Association. Networking can open doors to job opportunities you might not have even considered and help you make valuable connections in the field.
6. Consider Graduate School if You’re Aiming for Specialized Roles
Many psychology careers, especially in counseling, clinical, or advanced research roles, do require a master’s or doctoral degree. If you’re drawn to specific areas like therapy, working with clients, or specialized interventions, graduate school will be the next step. But even after undergrad, there are still tons of valuable roles to explore to help you decide!
After Graduation, Here Are Some Job Ideas:
- Research Assistant – This is an excellent entry-level role if you’re curious about the science behind psychology.
- Human Resources Specialist – Leverages your understanding of human behavior in the workplace.
- Case Worker in social services – You’d be helping individuals and families who need support.
- Behavioral Health Technician – This is a hands-on role in a clinical setting.
- Rehabilitation Specialist – Working with individuals overcoming substance abuse or mental health challenges.
Starting with internships or entry-level jobs can really help you see what you enjoy and where you might want to specialize. It sounds like you're headed in a great direction!
Best wishes!
Tony Roig
Volunteer
45
Answers
New Hope, Pennsylvania
Updated
Tony’s Answer
Dear Paulix,
A degree in psychology opens up a vast array of career paths, and often, the college experience itself aids in pinpointing the right one. This was certainly true in my case. I encountered my future mentor in a psychology club, and through his guidance and the hands-on internships I undertook during college, I was inspired to pursue an advanced degree in Industrial & Organizational Psychology at graduate school.
I encourage you to delve into the various career possibilities within psychology. Consider taking career aptitude tests during high school and again in college. These tests can provide insights into which career paths might align best with your interests and abilities. It's also important to select universities that offer comprehensive preparation for a range of career options. Look for institutions that provide practical and fieldwork opportunities, as these can be invaluable in shaping your future career.
Best of luck on your journey, Tony
A degree in psychology opens up a vast array of career paths, and often, the college experience itself aids in pinpointing the right one. This was certainly true in my case. I encountered my future mentor in a psychology club, and through his guidance and the hands-on internships I undertook during college, I was inspired to pursue an advanced degree in Industrial & Organizational Psychology at graduate school.
I encourage you to delve into the various career possibilities within psychology. Consider taking career aptitude tests during high school and again in college. These tests can provide insights into which career paths might align best with your interests and abilities. It's also important to select universities that offer comprehensive preparation for a range of career options. Look for institutions that provide practical and fieldwork opportunities, as these can be invaluable in shaping your future career.
Best of luck on your journey, Tony
Sharon Collins
partner channel development /Marketing
14
Answers
Cave Creek, Arizona
Updated
Sharon’s Answer
Psychology is an incredibly versatile degree that opens up a wide range of career options. It's important to take some time for introspection to decide how you want to utilize your degree. If you're keen on staying within the psychology domain, there are numerous opportunities such as becoming a therapist, social worker, psychologist, or psychiatrist. These roles are typically clinical in nature, involving one-on-one or group interactions with patients.
If you're more interested in research, your psychology background can be a great asset. There are numerous jobs that involve conducting research using your knowledge of psychology.
However, it's worth noting that many roles within the psychology field require further education like a master's degree, PhD, or MD. Additionally, some may require specific certifications or board exams.
On the other hand, a psychology degree doesn't limit you to this field alone. It can be a stepping stone to a variety of other sectors such as sales, marketing, training, human resources, and many more.
I hope this gives you a clearer picture of the possibilities!
If you're more interested in research, your psychology background can be a great asset. There are numerous jobs that involve conducting research using your knowledge of psychology.
However, it's worth noting that many roles within the psychology field require further education like a master's degree, PhD, or MD. Additionally, some may require specific certifications or board exams.
On the other hand, a psychology degree doesn't limit you to this field alone. It can be a stepping stone to a variety of other sectors such as sales, marketing, training, human resources, and many more.
I hope this gives you a clearer picture of the possibilities!
Mandi Conger
Title Clerk
35
Answers
Nashville, Georgia
Updated
Mandi’s Answer
Hi Paulix! When looking at potential career fields in psychology there is a plethora of options. You have to determine what field you would like to go into with your degree. Do you plan to just get your bachelors or possibly a maters or PhD? This helps to see what options are available to you. There are options such as counselors, therapist, and psychologist. All of which offer different areas of specialty. I would encourage you to do some research to see what stands out to you the most in terms of interest. This will help you narrow down places you can apply to. For example if you want to be a psychologist and want to go into forensics you can apply to places in the justice system. Alternatively you might want to be a clinical psychologist and that would give you options in a clinical setting such as a hospital or mental health facility. I hope this helps!
Charles Ituah
School Counsellor
13
Answers
Lagos, Nigeria
Updated
Charles’s Answer
Hello Paulix, first of all you need to define why you are even choosing to take this career path in the first place, because once you are sure of this then you will proceed to these next steps.
So the first step is to define your why. Ask yourself the hard truth and decide if choosing a career in Psychology is the best fit for you.
The second step is to think about your long term goals, vision, mission and whether they strongly align with your values.
The third step is to draw up a plan of action and this is after you have done the work on yourself and chosen Psychology as your career of choice then you now make your dream into a reality.
You got this my friend. Go and thrive.
So the first step is to define your why. Ask yourself the hard truth and decide if choosing a career in Psychology is the best fit for you.
The second step is to think about your long term goals, vision, mission and whether they strongly align with your values.
The third step is to draw up a plan of action and this is after you have done the work on yourself and chosen Psychology as your career of choice then you now make your dream into a reality.
You got this my friend. Go and thrive.