You've successfully learnt how to read minds, now what?
Psychology has gained a lot of popularity as a degree choice in recent years, with the Complete University Guide reporting that out of 100,000 courses on their website, Psychology was the 4th most searched subject in 2018.
As a Psychology graduate, it can be daunting entering the working world knowing that the field is competitive, but the skills you've gained from your degree are useful across a wide range of careers, some of which you may not have even thought of. In fact, only 31% of Psychology graduates end up with a career directly relating to the field.
So, whether you're destined to become a Psychologist or you'd prefer to try something new, here's some opportunities your skills will be perfect for.
Key skills you've gained
- Writing in different formats
You're likely to have had to write scientific reports and more traditional, long-form essays during your degree. Understanding and applying these writing styles puts you in a good position to stand out to employers.
- Statistical and analytical skills
Few degrees require both strong writing skills and an ability to interpret and analyse numerical data. This strength will stand you in good stead for jobs that require a range of skills, so is worth mentioning on your CV.
- Research skills
Those hours of scrolling through scientific journals to find the perfect piece of research will have helped you developed a keen eye for detail, and this will come in handy for lots of jobs.
- Critical thinking and evaluation
Being able to think critically about your own and others' work in fundamental when studying Psychology. This is a great transferable skill for when you enter the working world.
- Communication skills
In your writing and orally, being able to communicate effectively is important in any job. You can demonstrate these skills to employers straight away, in your CV and at an interview.
- Skills specific to Psychology
Of course, your knowledge of Psychological theories and understanding of what determines human behaviour is vital if postgraduate study is your plan, but this ability to reflect upon your own and others' behaviour is valuable in any workplace too.
Typical jobs you could do with a Psychology degree
- Psychologist
It's no surprise that continuing your studies to become a qualified Psychologist is the route that many graduates choose. There's plenty of specialist areas you can go into - cognitive, clinical, sports, forensic, social - the list goes on. There's even such thing as a Spiritual Psychologist, if helping others align their chakra's interests you. Gaining a PhD takes hard work and isn't for everybody, but Psychologists are high in demand and roles prove lucrative.
- Counsellor or Psychotherapist
If you want to stay in the field of Psychology but aren't interested in completing a PhD, you can qualify as a Psychotherapist or Counsellor. The roles differ slightly - as a Counsellor, you'll use different approaches to help individuals work through present problems they're experiencing, whereas Psychotherapists delve deeper into the psychological symptoms of an individual, considering how past experiences may shape their thought processes now.
- Social Worker
You can utilise your psychological knowledge of human behaviour as well as soft skills like communication and critical thinking in this career. As a Social Worker, you'll likely work with young people and families experiencing difficult times to assess their situation and develop the best course of action. Though emotionally challenging, a career in this field is highly rewarding.
- Teacher
The interpersonal skills learnt in Psychology would make graduates excellent teachers. With a degree, you can complete a 1-2 year teacher training course after graduation in any subject you choose. Alternatively, if travel is on your mind why not combine the two and teach English abroad? Check out a great opportunity right here.
Not-so-typical jobs you could do with a Psychology degree
- Market Researcher
You'll put those data collection and analysis skills to good use as a Market Researcher. Your responsibilities may include conducting focus groups and interviews, analysing data and presenting results to clients - this is essential work for ensuring that companies are making informed decisions. If you enjoyed critical thinking and analysis during your degree, why not check out the market research jobs like this one on our website?
- Police Officer
As a Police Officer, no day will be the same. One day you might be logging crime reports in the office, and the next you're investigating a crime scene. Your psychological knowledge will be vital when interacting with people from all walks of life in this role. Plus, there's opportunity to work your way up the ranks and increase your salary. If Forensic Psychology piqued your interest at uni, policing is a career to consider.
- Human Resources Advisor
Whilst any graduate can build a career in HR, for employers, a Psychology graduate has the ability to understand other people's motivations and behaviour, which is a valuable asset. In this role, you might advise managers about the best recruitment strategies, help resolve workplace disputes or conduct work reviews. If this sounds interesting, there are similar jobs available on our website.
- Copywriter
If writing essays was your strong suit at uni, a copywriting role may appeal to you. Jobs in this field can be varied - you could write for an advertising or marketing purpose, using your skills to grab the attention of buyers, or create traffic-driving web content for social media.
Here at GradTouch, we have lots of opportunities available for social science graduates - find them right here.