Psychology Degree

Laura11111 · 10-04-2007, 01:50 PM

For those who graduated with a degree in psychology, what types of jobs did you end up working and how did you find them?

I finished my 4-year degree in April and I'm having trouble finding a job. I'm getting desperate to make money but I don't want to settle for something I could have got with a highschool diploma because I now have a $30000 student loan to pay off!

I don't want to work weekends, in retail, in a restaurant, on an assembly line, or at a call center and it needs to be full-time. Are my criteria unrealistic in your opinion? I don't think they are.

I've been looking on online job banks and applying for receptionist, social worker, and human resource positions. I have had one interview in the three months I've been looking and it wasn't successful. Any advice? I'm beginning to loose my confidence.

Thanks

OOHMY · 10-04-2007, 01:56 PM

I've heard that people with psych degrees have the hardest time finding somewhere to work, or was that something else? Regardless, I wish you the VERY best of luck!!

**BellaDonna** · 10-04-2007, 02:16 PM

It is very hard to find a good paying job in the field of psychology if you hold a 4 year degree. From what I've seen, most jobs are in group homes or in clinical settings but do not pay well at all. Many times nonprofit organizations (i.e. domestic violence shelters) require staff to have psych degress but they do not pay too well either.

I always advise people to get a master's degree in psychology. That's what I did and only then did I start making good money.

Areas that pay well within the field of psychology are careers related to higher education, research, & psychological testing.

I currently work at a university as an advisor and counselor college students who have disabilities. In order to do so I had to get my master's degree and a counseling license. Having a graduate degree also allows me to teach undergraduate psych courses at the community college, which is a good way to earn extra money.

I think you should plan on continuing your education at some point. It's worth the investment. In the meantime I think you are doing the right thing by looking at human resource positions. Also try looking for positions in research at local colleges, universities, hospitals, etc. Even if they do not pay well for a bachelor's degree they do help to build a good resume for the future.

Most importantly, don't give up. It's a GREAT field that is interesting and rewarding.

Good luck with your job search,

BellaDonna

amtjrtcet · 10-04-2007, 02:24 PM

I have a friend w/a psych degree. He works for the state now. Not sure how but his degree qualified him. Check state and gov jobs. You'd be surprised.

bulletproof · 10-04-2007, 02:24 PM

I graduated with a psych degree and worked in group homes and day programs just to get experience and see if it was something I wanted to continue with. They did not pay great, but it was liveable if you don't have high rent or cost of living. When you decided to get your psych degree, was it because you wanted to be a psychologist or you just enjoyed the major? If it's the former, I agree with the advice that you will eventually need a master's degree.

There is also the option of any of the jobs you've been trying for (human resources, etc.) along with a one or two-night a week restaurant/bar job, or something similar. That could just be the money you put towards your loan, and your regular salary can be for you. I know you said you don't want those types of jobs, but when it's part-time and temporary it really isn't bad, and can ease the burden of debt.

ryan123 · 10-04-2007, 02:32 PM

Advertising firms? Research and developement companies?

When I was looking at a psych degree I found that you really do need a Masters degree or better to make any kind of money.

I do imagine those areas I listed were on the Bachelors degree list of jobs and would probably pay well.

Lana0120 · 10-04-2007, 03:02 PM

I agree with the above post. I read an article about how advertising firms like hiring Psych graduates. It's a good career.

schueysgirl · 10-04-2007, 03:40 PM

Psychology is one of the hardest disciplines to get a job in, one of the reasons because it took off in popularity and now there is a flood of graduates into the field...and not enough jobs.

You need to think about what area of psychology interests you the most and specialise in it. You should of some idea of this after studying all the different modules...developmental (kiddies) biological (could go into sports psychology) criminal (forensics) etc etc i could go on.

I got a psychology degree like you in May this year. I specialised in kids and sports. I was either going to do a teacher training course...but here in UK they are impossible to get on (ive made posts about this before so wont ramble on) and ive waiting damn long enough to prove how good a teacher i would be so its the UK's loss and i am now doing a 2nd degree in something else....motorsport engineering, technology and management. So my sports psychology will come into play with that.

Not one of my 30 odd friends who also graduated with a degree in pscyhology have foundwork because there isnt any...not at degree level. As someone lse said you need to do a masters in a specialisation and then PRAY PRAY PRAY for the luck to land on your feet and get you a good job. The degree is just far far too popular now (well here in the UK at least) and there simply isnt enough jobs even when people have masters...

So suck up the debt...your going to get a lot more if you do a masters or further qualifications. And in the meantime dont be too picky about jobs...whatever pays the bills hey?!

Laura11111 · 10-09-2007, 09:50 PM

Thanks everyone.

Leonhart · 10-10-2007, 01:29 AM

I'm grateful for this post. I'll definitely make sure to go on and at least get my Master's. I have no desire to wind up poor, destitute and a bum just because I only have a measly four year degree in a worthless discipline.

I'd better get my ass working hard from now on!!

Thanks.

10-04-2007, 01:50 PM	#1
Laura11111 Offline Silver Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Ontario, Canada Gender: Female Age: 26 Posts: 415	Psychology Degree For those who graduated with a degree in psychology, what types of jobs did you end up working and how did you find them? I finished my 4-year degree in April and I'm having trouble finding a job. I'm getting desperate to make money but I don't want to settle for something I could have got with a highschool diploma because I now have a $30000 student loan to pay off! I don't want to work weekends, in retail, in a restaurant, on an assembly line, or at a call center and it needs to be full-time. Are my criteria unrealistic in your opinion? I don't think they are. I've been looking on online job banks and applying for receptionist, social worker, and human resource positions. I have had one interview in the three months I've been looking and it wasn't successful. Any advice? I'm beginning to loose my confidence. Thanks

10-04-2007, 02:16 PM	#3
BellaDonna Offline Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: U.S. Gender: Female Age: 29 Posts: 6,583	It is very hard to find a good paying job in the field of psychology if you hold a 4 year degree. From what I've seen, most jobs are in group homes or in clinical settings but do not pay well at all. Many times nonprofit organizations (i.e. domestic violence shelters) require staff to have psych degress but they do not pay too well either. I always advise people to get a master's degree in psychology. That's what I did and only then did I start making good money. Areas that pay well within the field of psychology are careers related to higher education, research, & psychological testing. I currently work at a university as an advisor and counselor college students who have disabilities. In order to do so I had to get my master's degree and a counseling license. Having a graduate degree also allows me to teach undergraduate psych courses at the community college, which is a good way to earn extra money. I think you should plan on continuing your education at some point. It's worth the investment. In the meantime I think you are doing the right thing by looking at human resource positions. Also try looking for positions in research at local colleges, universities, hospitals, etc. Even if they do not pay well for a bachelor's degree they do help to build a good resume for the future. Most importantly, don't give up. It's a GREAT field that is interesting and rewarding. Good luck with your job search, BellaDonna __________________ "Well behaved women rarely make history." "Friendship should be a refuge, not an ordeal." Please see the forum rules for posting on enotalone:http://www.enotalone.com/forum/forum-rules.php Last edited by BellaDonna; 10-04-2007 at 02:19 PM.

10-04-2007, 02:24 PM	#4
amtjrtcet Offline Platinum Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Gender: None Specified Posts: 2,876	I have a friend w/a psych degree. He works for the state now. Not sure how but his degree qualified him. Check state and gov jobs. You'd be surprised. __________________ Whah, whah, whah, whah, whah...... Does this knife in my back make my ass look big? ~ Dancers are the athletes of God. ~

10-04-2007, 01:56 PM	#2
OOHMY Offline Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 838	I've heard that people with psych degrees have the hardest time finding somewhere to work, or was that something else? Regardless, I wish you the VERY best of luck!!

10-04-2007, 02:24 PM	#5
bulletproof Offline Platinum Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 2,027	I graduated with a psych degree and worked in group homes and day programs just to get experience and see if it was something I wanted to continue with. They did not pay great, but it was liveable if you don't have high rent or cost of living. When you decided to get your psych degree, was it because you wanted to be a psychologist or you just enjoyed the major? If it's the former, I agree with the advice that you will eventually need a master's degree. There is also the option of any of the jobs you've been trying for (human resources, etc.) along with a one or two-night a week restaurant/bar job, or something similar. That could just be the money you put towards your loan, and your regular salary can be for you. I know you said you don't want those types of jobs, but when it's part-time and temporary it really isn't bad, and can ease the burden of debt.

10-04-2007, 02:32 PM	#6
ryan123 Offline Join Date: May 2007 Location: MASSHOLE Gender: Male Age: 22 Posts: 1,220	Advertising firms? Research and developement companies? When I was looking at a psych degree I found that you really do need a Masters degree or better to make any kind of money. I do imagine those areas I listed were on the Bachelors degree list of jobs and would probably pay well.

10-04-2007, 03:02 PM	#7
Lana0120 Offline Platinum Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Gender: Female Posts: 3,465	I agree with the above post. I read an article about how advertising firms like hiring Psych graduates. It's a good career.

10-04-2007, 03:40 PM	#8
schueysgirl Offline Gold Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 612	Psychology is one of the hardest disciplines to get a job in, one of the reasons because it took off in popularity and now there is a flood of graduates into the field...and not enough jobs. You need to think about what area of psychology interests you the most and specialise in it. You should of some idea of this after studying all the different modules...developmental (kiddies) biological (could go into sports psychology) criminal (forensics) etc etc i could go on. I got a psychology degree like you in May this year. I specialised in kids and sports. I was either going to do a teacher training course...but here in UK they are impossible to get on (ive made posts about this before so wont ramble on) and ive waiting damn long enough to prove how good a teacher i would be so its the UK's loss and i am now doing a 2nd degree in something else....motorsport engineering, technology and management. So my sports psychology will come into play with that. Not one of my 30 odd friends who also graduated with a degree in pscyhology have foundwork because there isnt any...not at degree level. As someone lse said you need to do a masters in a specialisation and then PRAY PRAY PRAY for the luck to land on your feet and get you a good job. The degree is just far far too popular now (well here in the UK at least) and there simply isnt enough jobs even when people have masters... So suck up the debt...your going to get a lot more if you do a masters or further qualifications. And in the meantime dont be too picky about jobs...whatever pays the bills hey?!

10-09-2007, 09:50 PM	#9
Laura11111 Offline Silver Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Ontario, Canada Gender: Female Age: 26 Posts: 415	Thanks everyone.

10-10-2007, 01:29 AM	#10
Leonhart Offline Join Date: Feb 2007 Gender: None Specified Posts: 2,411	I'm grateful for this post. I'll definitely make sure to go on and at least get my Master's. I have no desire to wind up poor, destitute and a bum just because I only have a measly four year degree in a worthless discipline. I'd better get my ass working hard from now on!! Thanks.