PSYCHOLOGY: What can I do with this Major?

Counseling
Advocacy
Mental Health Services
Case Management
Programming
Community Relations
Administration

Federal government, including Departments of: Health and Human Services Justice, Veterans Administration
State government, including Departments of: Human Services, Mental Health & Mental Retardation, Community mental health centers, State psychiatric hospitals, Facilities for mentally impaired, Justice, Probation and parole
Local government
Senior citizens' centers
United Way agencies
Nonprofit organizations
Religiously-affiliated service organizations
Hospitals

Obtain essential practical experience through part-time or summer jobs such as camp counselor, tutor, or resident hall advisor. Complete an internship for academic credit. Gain experience through volunteering with organizations such as crisis hotlines, Big Brother or Sister, Special Olympics, service fraternities or sororities, etc. Many entry-level helping positions require one year of related experience. Volunteer experience can typically fulfill this requirement. Learn to work well with different types of people. Develop strong communication skills.
Cultivate the desire to help others. Become fluent in a foreign language spoken by multi-cultural clients. Be willing to relocate. Become familiar with government hiring procedures. Acquire knowledge of government and community resources available for those in need. Obtain a graduate degree in psychology, counseling, or social work for substantive counseling work and advancement into administrative work. Many specialties exist at the graduate level, for example school counseling, mental health counseling, rehabilitation counseling, etc. Pursue particular degrees depending upon interests and career goals. Pursue an excellent academic record.

Federal government including: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institute of Education, Office of Naval Research
National headquarters of non-profit organizations
Universities and colleges

Work with a professor on his or her research project. Develop strong quantitative and statistical skills. Obtain a graduate degree for greater opportunities.

Employment and Recruitment
Labor Relations
Compensation and Benefits

Large companies
Government agencies
Employment and temporary agencies
Large non-profit organizations including hospitals and educational institutions

Acquire related experience as a resident hall advisor, orientation leader, admissions tour guide, or student assistant in career services. Find student organization committee work in policy making or settling disputes. Supplement curriculum with business courses. Acquire strong computer skills.

Research
Programming
Writing and Editing
Event Planning
Media Placement
Public Speaking
Fund-raising

Public relations and advertising firms
Companies with public relations departments
Professional associations
Federal, state and local government
Colleges and universities
Non-profit organizations

Develop strong writing and speaking skills. Obtain related experience with campus newspaper, television, or radio station. Serve as an admissions tour guide or work in alumni relations or other PR-related functions. Volunteer as a fund-raiser or political canvasser. Gain experience through internships. Join the campus chapter of Public Relations Society of America.

Creative
Media
Account Services
Research

Advertising agencies
Companies with in-house advertising agencies or departments

Obtain relevant experience with campus newspaper, television, or radio station.
Work with student-run businesses. Find an internship, even if unpaid, with a market research or advertising firm. Develop a portfolio for creative positions.
Obtain a business minor or double major for account services positions.

 

Market research firms
Market research departments of consumer goods and manufacturing firms

Develop a strong background in math and statistics. Get involved in the American Marketing Association. Obtain related experience. Get a part-time or summer field service position with a market research firm. Obtain business research experience. Serve as a canvasser or phone interviewer for a non-profit organization or political campaign. Earn a graduate degree in statistics or marketing for the greatest number of opportunities.

Public and private schools
Colleges and universities

Obtain teaching certificate for public school positions. Dual certification will increase marketability. Seek guidance from education department of your college. Secure strong personal recommendations. Volunteer as a tutor.
Gain experience working with children or adolescents. PhD required for post-secondary teaching.

Management

Department stores
Specialty stores
Discount stores
Super retailers

Secure leadership positions in campus organizations. Work a part-time or summer job in a retail store. Demonstrate a willingness to take on additional responsibilities such as "assistant manager." Be willing to start in a management-trainee program. Learn to work well with different types of people.

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Retailers
Service providers
Wholesalers
Manufacturers
Insurance companies
Real estate companies

Obtain experience through internships or sales jobs. Take business courses.
Participate in student organizations and seek leadership roles. Must be highly motivated and well organized. Develop a strong commitment to customer satisfaction. Must work well under pressure and be comfortable in a competitive environment.