Are you considering psychology as a chosen course of study or are you a psychology undergraduate? Then, it is thoughtful to know what you can do with a psychology degree early enough.
Psychology is an interesting discipline with great prospects for psychology degree holders. From healthcare and therapy to education and research to sport, to business and media, there are many avenues to work with a psychology degree.
However, you need a master’s or doctorate degree to be regarded as a professional or chartered psychologist.
Nevertheless, as an entry-level graduate of psychology, you are exposed to vast job opportunities and a decent payroll.
Furthermore, you may push your career by earning a master’s or doctorate degree while you work. As a result, you will be able to take on more specialized roles and earn more.
In light of this, let’s examine the opportunities that abound in the field of psychology for entry-level and expert professionals in this article.
1. Counselor
The job of a counselor is to guide and advise people on issues relating to their lives or state of mind. Counseling is a form of talking therapy that involves a high level of confidentiality.
Some other essential qualities of a counselor include good listening skills, empathy, patience, and the ability to analyze people’s problems and offer effective solutions to them.
Interestingly, counseling can be done across a broad spectrum, such as marriage, career, relationship, education, and mental health among others. So, you could decide to pick an area of interest or specialize in more than one.
Furthermore, you may work in academic institutions, private counseling firms, or start your counseling firm from scratch.
Lastly, you would require a master’s or doctorate degree to practice as a counselor. But as an entry-level graduate, you can get a job as a counselor assistant in elementary or high schools and work closely with the main counselor.
2. Research Assistant
Psychology as a discipline requires a lot of research work both field and theoretical research. Research activities also equip you with important research skills such as data analysis, report writing, and problem-solving skills.
Therefore, with a degree in psychology, you can work as a research assistant in medical research centers, market research firms, consulting firms, colleges, public interest groups, think tanks, and the like.
In addition, it is a great entry-level career that you can leverage to further build your career in the field of psychology.
3. Social Worker
A social worker is an individual who aims to solve basic or lurking problems in society. Additionally, a social worker is an activist who lends his voice to oppose those activities and humans that can cause harm to some underprivileged individuals who may not be able to help themselves.
In order words, a social worker serves a social course. For instance, a social worker could specialize in standing up for victims of unpalatable circumstances like crime or rape and helping them lead better lives.
In the same vein, a social worker may work to provide better living standards to elderly and disabled persons in society.
Some other fields of social work include:
- Hospice & palliative care social worker
- Military & veterans social worker
- Child, family & school social worker
- Psychiatric social worker
- Healthcare social worker
Finally, as a social worker, you may establish an NGO or get a job in such organizations as UNICEF, UNESCO, or any private NGO for that matter. You may also work in the public humanitarian sector.
4. Human Resource Manager
Human resources managers deal with the human factor in an organization.
Apart from the regular functions of recruiting and staffing, human resources managers are saddled with the responsibility of creating a positive work experience and environment for employees.
What this means is that human resource management needs a thorough understanding of how to deal with the employees in an organization.
Since psychology is the study of how the human mind works, especially those affecting behavior, psychology graduates are suitable candidates for human resources management functions.
With your knowledge of psychology, you have a better understanding of relating with employees, remuneration and compensation, employee training, and talent management, which is necessary to improve employee performance and retention.
5. Psychiatric Technician
This is another interesting entry-level job option. Psychiatric technicians are also known as mental health technicians.
Their job function includes attending to patients’ demands, observing their behavior, leading them in therapeutic and recreational activities, and administering treatment to them.
Usually, as a psychiatric technician, you work as part of a medical team in a residential mental health facility, psychiatric hospital, and related healthcare settings.
6. Parole Officer
A parole officer also known as a probation officer works for correctional services. As a parole officer, you are assigned to keep a close watch on an ex-convict usually with the goal to help them cope and acclimatize back into society.
Some activities involved with paroling include helping parolees to find new houses, and employment.
Also, parole officers monitor their activities and ensure that they attend rehab meetings to deter them from going back to their old habits such as taking hard drugs or engaging in illegal activities.
As a parole officer, your knowledge of criminal psychology makes your job easier in handling these individuals better.
7. Marketing and Sales Manager
Sales and marketing is not a game of numbers, it is about the depth of emotional impression you make on your prospects and that is what many salesmen fail to realize.
People are emotional buyers, as such those with a degree in psychology, particularly in business psychology will outperform others who barely understand consumer psychology.
Therefore, as a graduate of psychology, you have a head-up in the field of sales and marketing.
Organizations find psychology degree holders very useful because they believe that you can easily come up with sales and marketing campaigns that will drive sales and skyrocket the company’s revenue.
8. Career Counselor
Many people often have challenges regarding what career to choose. Sometimes, it is a case of conflicting interests, the dilemma of being multi-talented, or the feeling of being totally lost on what career to choose.
Your knowledge in observation, introspection, experimentation and the like can be of good use. You may work as a student career counselor in schools or as a counselor for those who want to switch career paths, the possibilities are endless.
Interestingly, with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, you are good to go.
9. Sport Psychologist
Athletics is beyond physical fitness. It takes a lot of mental energy, alertness, and doggedness to be at your best in whatever sport you do. As such, athletes need those who can help them stay motivated and in their best state of mind.
Furthermore, at times when they feel depressed or overwhelmed, they need a specialist that can help them balance their emotions and work life. These jobs are beyond coaches, and that’s where you come in as a sport psychologist.
If you have an eye for a particular type of sport, you may consider specializing as a sport psychologist in that regard.
10. Correctional Counselor
A degree in psychology can afford you the opportunity to work as part of prison service. As a correctional counselor, you help prison inmates and ex-prisoners improve the quality of their lives.
Through constant meetings and talk sessions, prison inmates and ex-convicts can improve their social and personal lives, develop better habits, and reduce the risk of committing another crime.
Furthermore, becoming a correctional counselor doesn’t require strict requirements like counseling. Therefore with a bachelor’s degree and licensing, you can get started.
11. Teaching/Lecturing
Another approachable job for psychology graduates is teaching or lecturing. Although teaching requires that you obtain an additional teaching qualification depending on the level you opt for.
However, you can put your knowledge of psychology into teaching biology in high school or environmental science in elementary school.
In addition, you need a master’s or doctorate degree in psychology to lecture in colleges or in the university.
Lastly, your understanding of human behavior would aid your teaching process, and help you stand out as a teacher or lecturer.
12. Behavioral Analyst
Behavioral analysts are specialists in treating children with autism. They help patients interact better with their environment through their expert knowledge of human behavior.
This career however requires a master’s degree in applied behavior analysis and board licensing to practice.
13. Clinical Psychologist
This field of psychology is more advanced than many other fields. To practice clinical psychology, a doctorate degree in psychology is required as well as state licensing.
Your job as a clinical psychologist is to treat patients with mental illnesses and behavioral disorders. Behavioral problems, anxiety, learning difficulties, and mild cases of depression are the types of conditions treated by clinical psychologists.
This field of psychology is highly specialized and lucrative. It is one of the peak careers in psychology.
14. Psychiatrist
A psychiatrist deals with more advanced mental illnesses like schizophrenia. As such, psychiatrists need the highest level of qualification. Usually, you need to complete full medical studies and a four-year residency to become a psychiatrist.
Furthermore, the difference between a psychologist and a psychiatrist is that a psychiatrist can prescribe medications to patients while a psychologist cannot.
This is also a peak and highly specialized career in psychology.
FAQs
How much can you earn with a psychology degree?
With a psychology degree, depending on the level of expertise the job requires, you can earn between $38,000 to $217,000 annually.
Jobs like psychiatrist and clinical psychologist require years of experience and more educational requirements, therefore you can earn between $170,000 and above practicing them.
What jobs can you do with a bachelor’s degree in psychology?
Some of the jobs you can take on with a bachelor’s degree include research assistant, human resource manager, social worker, and psychiatric technician among others.
What are the most lucrative psychology jobs?
The most lucrative psychology jobs include psychiatrist, clinical psychologist, lecturing, and counseling. These jobs are highly lucrative because they require expert knowledge and substantial years of experience.
Must you have a doctorate degree to practice as a psychologist?
Yes. Practicing as a clinical psychologist requires that you earn a doctorate degree and license certificate.
Where can you work with a psychology degree?
From hospitals and healthcare institutions to schools including universities and colleges, to business and non-profit organizations, to public institutions, there is a wide range of options to work with a psychology degree.
Final Thoughts
Psychology is a broad discipline with great prospects. The list of jobs you can do with a psychology degree is inexhaustible as the options are vast.
Also, many jobs within the psychology discipline are considered highly sought-after. Furthermore, fields such as counseling afford you the opportunity to set yourself up and work on your terms. Therefore, considering to badge a certificate within this field is an excellent idea.
Lastly, if you wish to know what you can do with other careers, you can check the post on what can you do with a biology degree. You should also check out these reasons people think psychology is a hard major.
I hope you got value. Thanks for reading.
