An interest in psychology and studying for a degree in the field comes with a wide range of psychology career opportunities once you graduate and you obtain your degree. Most people are surprised to hear this, and, in fact, a straight-line path from a Bachelor’s degree in psychology or any psychology degree to a psychologist career being the only option is one of the most common misconceptions about the field itself—though that is always an option.
Psychology jobs aren't just limited to counseling or psychiatrist positions. The truth is, as a student with a psychology degree, you receive training on the fundamentals of communication and understanding to such a degree, that those skills can most likely be applied in a huge number of positions. Here are 8 common jobs, or potential careers for a psychology major that you may or may not have considered:
Social Worker
Social work can be a common landing spot for graduates with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Professionals with a bachelor's degree in psychology sometimes find social worker jobs in various service sectors, including non-profit organizations and government agencies, providing community support and various case management services, among other things.
Market Researcher
Earning a bachelor's degree in psychology is great preparation for a career as a market researcher, as you will already be well-versed in statistical analysis and scientific methodologies, which are both very important skills when it comes to performing research tasks like conducting interviews and opinion polls. Your knowledge of applied psychology will prepare you to take on this career and conduct thorough research.
Advertising Agent
Advertising careers often involve developing persuasive advertisements and researching a target audience to create product messaging. Psychology students are frequently a good fit for an advertising career, as the science of persuasion is a topic they will already be knowledgeable about by the time they graduate school.
Child Care Worker
An undergraduate degree in psychology allows graduates to potentially work directly in their field through working in a mental-health setting. This includes well-known careers such as child care in daycares, after-school programs, and for state and local governments, among other positions.
Teacher
While you will still need to acquire a teaching credential on top of your bachelor’s degree, the two make a great combination for becoming a teacher. A psychology undergraduate can explore finding a job teaching at elementary schools, middle schools, or high schools. Alliant even offers such credentials, if you are interested in heading down this career path.
Career Counselor
A career counselor helps career-oriented psychology students and job seekers discover their potential. A counselor helps people perform self-assessments, find jobs, make career changes, or in vocational rehabilitation, when applicable. Psychology graduates are uniquely qualified to help individuals in the career discovery process, as so much of finding the right psychology career involves finding one’s self.
Writer
Studying psychology, at any level, may require a lot of writing. A psychology graduate is well prepared for a myriad of writing-based careers including grant writer, researcher, and copywriter.
Lawyer
Like many psychology careers or writing careers, a law career will require a lot of writing. In addition to that, your research-based foundation of study will leave a psychology major well-prepared to enter the book-diving world of law, and their understanding of human behavior can be invaluable in the courtroom.
So, now you know that having an advanced degree in psychology may not be necessary to be eligible for great psychology jobs. This list is also just a snapshot of jobs you can explore with a bachelor’s in psychology. From social work to counseling all the way to criminal justice law, your skills learned as a psychologist can prepare you immensely for many rewarding careers.