What can you do with a psychology degree? A lot. It’s one of the most flexible and useful qualifications you can get. It’s not just about becoming a therapist, although that’s definitely an option. Psychology teaches you how people think, feel and behave, which is a skill set that’s valuable everywhere. With this degree, you could find yourself working in healthcare, education, business, tech, marketing or even creative industries. A psychology degree is a ticket to a world of career options. Let’s explore psychology careers.
Traditional career paths in psychology
An undergraduate degree with psychology as a major can, of course, provide you with the skills and tools needed to enter the field and eventually practice as a psychologist. If you wish to become a psychologist you will need to complete a BA Honours in Psychology followed by a Master’s in psychology. You will also have to complete an accredited internship. If you wish to become a clinical psychologist you will also have to do a year’s community service. A bachelor’s degree is just the first step along the way. But now, as you start planning out your career path, you’re asking yourself: what can I do with a psychology degree?
Here are a few great options:
- Clinical psychologists help people deal with mental health issues like anxiety, depression, or even more serious conditions. You will work in hospitals or mental health centres and can also open your own private clinic. You’ll talk to people, assess them and offer solutions.
- Counselling psychologists look at everyday life challenges like stress management. Their focus is to help you cope with life. Counselling psychologists work in schools, private practices, community centres or even companies as part of wellness programmes.
- School psychologists work with children and teens in schools. They help them do well academically, socially and emotionally. They deal with learning difficulties, bullying or mental health issues and they work closely with teachers and parents to support students.
Research and academic careers
If you're interested in research and academics, psychology career paths can lead to roles like university professor, research scientist or lab director, where you’ll contribute to ground-breaking studies and educate the next generation of psychologists. Research, usually in an academic setting or an industry, requires performing tests and studying data to understand the science behind how our brains work and why we behave the way we do.
Applied psychology in business
Psychology degree careers in business can range from roles like human resources manager to industrial-organisational psychologist, where you apply your knowledge of human behaviour to improve workplace dynamics and company success.
- Industrial-organisational psychologists are brought in by businesses to keep their teams happy and productive. They use psychology to make workplaces better – whether it’s hiring the right people, running training programmes or boosting team morale. To land this role, you’ll usually need a master’s or doctorate. These psychologists often work in big companies, consulting firms or for government.
- Human resources managers are perfect roles for psychology graduates because you help recruit people, run training sessions and create a great work environment. Your psychology skills come in handy for understanding people and solving workplace challenges.
Non-traditional roles
It’s no surprise that psychology degree careers include working in market research and user experience (UX) because for these roles you must understand people and their behaviour. As a market research analyst, psychology graduates use their skills to study consumer behaviour, uncover trends and help businesses craft smarter marketing strategies. On the other hand, UX researchers focus on how people interact with products, using their psychological knowledge to design better user experiences.
Careers in public service and non-profits
If you want to make a real difference in people’s lives, psychology degree careers in public service and non-profits are a great fit. While becoming a social worker usually means extra qualifications, psychology graduates can still work in roles that focus on mental health and community support. Plus, if you’re into organising and leading, becoming a community service manager lets you run programmes that help people.
Skills and competencies gained from a psychology degree
A psychology degree gives you valuable skills that go way beyond just understanding the mind. You’ll become good at reading people, thinking critically, communicating clearly and showing empathy – universal skills that are useful no matter what career you go into. Whether you end up in business, healthcare, education or tech, these abilities will help you connect with others, tackle problems, and adapt to all kinds of situations.
Preparing for a diverse career path
Widen your options by studying further, or even specialising in a branch of psychology that offers different paths. Keep up to date on new developments in the field, network with peers and look for a good mentor.
Having psychology as a core discipline demonstrates a skill set which many employers find incredibly attractive in potential employees. Some employers prefer candidates with an undergraduate background in psychology because it means they are likely to have a higher level of emotional intelligence, a sought after trait in today’s challenging workplaces.
About The IIE’s Varsity College
The Independent Institute of Education (The IIE) of which Varsity College is a brand, is South Africa’s largest registered and accredited private provider of higher education. At Varsity College we understand that no two students are the same or learn the same. That’s why we make sure a student’s education is shaped around them; how they like to learn, what they are passionate about, what makes them tick, and what makes them thrive. Our Education by Design approach allows students to grow into their best, and creates a space where they can live, learn and play – their way.