5 Career Options For Psychology Majors

When most people think about psychology, they relate it to the science of reading someone’s mind and trying to fix their behavioral abnormalities. While it might be one aspect of the field, it doesn’t encompass all it entails. Psychology also encompasses the study of cognitive function.

If you want to choose psychology as a subject for a career, here are a few options to help you decide your path:

Counselor

Counselors help people with mental health problems navigate life and support and guide them through its challenges. They are often a listening ear and a helping hand to guide patients with mental health problems can rely on.

Counselors can work in various settings, including schools, colleges, community centers, and private clinics. They have expertise in career, marriage, and substance abuse counseling.

Obtaining a bachelor’s in psychology can be helpful if you consider a career in counseling services. You can enroll in a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology online for a more student-friendly, economical, and flexible learning experience. It also provides a solid understanding of crucial psychology principles, human behavior, and research methods. This will be the foundation for further education and training in the field.

What makes this career rewarding is the opportunity to impact people’s lives positively. You might mend a relationship, guide a student toward a fulfilling career, or help someone recover. Hence, be empathetic, kind, and an active listener and communicator. The employment rate for counselors is growing at a rate of 3.8 percent, with a median salary of approximately $86,012 in the United States.

Clinical psychologist

Clinical psychologists provide comprehensive care to patients suffering from mental health problems. They conduct assessments and provide therapy and treatment to patients. They guide people through the complexities of behavioral and cognitive function.

As a clinical psychologist, you work directly with patients and offer them guidance, support, and a listening ear. You help them manage stress and anxiety, overcome obstacles, and enhance their well-being. Your career demands that you be analytical, empathetic, and passionate about helping those struggling with mental health problems.

The employment of clinical psychologists is forecasted to grow by 10 percent by 2031. Moreover, they have an average salary of approximately $114,851 in the United States.

Forensic psychologist

Forensic psychology is a fascinating field that bridges the gap between the criminal justice system and psychology. As a forensic psychologist, you must be competent and confident enough to testify in court about your findings. You are the expert witness and shed light on the defendant’s mental competence in the trial.

You need to dive deep into psychological questioning and test the accused to determine whether or not they have a sound mind. It would be best to translate your psychological findings into a legal context so the court can use them in its proceeding. You also have to determine treatment options for the defendant, evaluate witness credibility, and even make recommendations for sentencing.

As part of your work, you’ll have to collaborate with public defenders, police forces, law enforcement personnel, the state attorney, and the forensics team to ensure that justice is served.

The average salary for forensic psychologists is $67,603, but this can vary significantly depending on various crucial aspects, including schooling, certifications, additional skills, and experience.

Market research analyst

A lesser-known but incredibly lucrative career prospect for psychology majors is being a market research analyst. A market research analyst determines consumer behaviors, preferences, and purchasing trends. It is a great way to combine business and psychology.

As a psychology major, your background in this science gives you an advantage in understanding human behaviors and applying research methodologies to analyze collected data. Using your knowledge, you can make marketing efforts more effective.

The job outlook for marketing research analysts between 2021 and 2031 is likely to grow by 19 percent, much faster than the average across all occupations. The median salary for a marketing research analyst is approximately $78,004 in the United States. So, if you’re intrigued by blending psychology with business and being at the forefront of understanding consumer needs, market research analysis might be your true calling.

Organizational psychologist

You can become an organizational psychologist if you want to work in a multinational organization. Organizational or industrial psychologists apply psychological principles to enhance productivity, employee satisfaction, and organizational effectiveness. They engage with employees and determine their pain points. This helps them develop strategies that cater to the workforce’s productivity and improves their well-being. They are also involved in employee selection, orientation and training, and performance evaluation. All in all, they play a pivotal role in shaping a healthy and productive corporate environment.

In the US, the job outlook for organizational psychologists from 2021 to 2031 is promising, with a projected growth rate of 3.8 percent. Moreover, the median salary for organizational/industrial psychologists is approximately $112,690.

Conclusion

Psychology offers a wide range of exciting and fulfilling career options. You can make a meaningful impact in people’s lives, contribute to advancing knowledge in the field, and enjoy promising job prospects. From counseling individuals through their challenges to helping organizations thrive and understanding consumer behaviors, psychology opens doors to diverse and rewarding career paths. So, if you’re passionate about helping others, are curious about studying human behavior and cognitive function, and want to make a positive difference, consider pursuing a career in psychology.