| The instinctive answer to the question of what to do | | | | and human behavior can only help. The same is true |
| with a psychology degree is, "Be a psychologist!" But in | | | | for business-since most businesses are providing |
| order to become a professional psychologist, you need | | | | services to humans, knowing how people think can |
| a master's or even a doctoral degree. So what can | | | | make you a more effective businessperson. Having a |
| you do with your four-year degree in psychology? | | | | degree in psychology can be an excellent foundation |
| Explore Your Options | | | | for any advanced degree you pursue. |
| The wonderful thing about a psychology degree is that | | | | If you do want to work as a psychologist, usually a |
| it is much more flexible and adaptable than any other | | | | doctoral degree is required. There are two doctoral |
| degree. After all, no matter what career path you are | | | | degrees available in the field of psychology. |
| on, other people are sure to be involved-as customers, | | | | Psychologists with a Ph.D. qualify for a wide range of |
| co-workers, employees, and bosses. A quality | | | | teaching, research, clinical, and counseling positions in |
| undergraduate education in psychology prepares you | | | | universities, elementary and secondary schools, private |
| to be a good citizen and a critical thinker, and the skills | | | | industry, and government. Psychologists with a Psy.D. |
| and abilities that psychology majors acquire through | | | | (Doctor of Psychology) qualify mainly for clinical |
| their coursework and out-of-class experiences make | | | | positions. |
| them marketable for a wide variety of employment | | | | Those with a master's degree in psychology can |
| options. Even though the bachelor's degree in | | | | administer tests as psychological assistants. Under the |
| psychology is not a professional degree, it is still a | | | | supervision of doctoral level psychologists, they can |
| great way to become a well rounded, well-educated | | | | conduct research in laboratories, conduct psychological |
| citizen and person-and who doesn't want to hire a | | | | evaluations, counsel patients, or perform administrative |
| person like that? | | | | duties. They may teach in high schools or 2-year |
| Here are just a few of the professions that value | | | | colleges or work as school psychologists or |
| those with a psychology degree:o Human Services. | | | | counselors, and they may also work as counselors in |
| Federal, state, and local governments as well as many | | | | the field of addiction. |
| non-profit organizations are eager to hire those with an | | | | Looking Forward: Salary and Job Outlook for those |
| undergraduate degree in psychology.o Administration. | | | | with a Psychology Degree |
| Any administrative position in government or in other | | | | According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the |
| organizations can utilize those with a psychology | | | | average starting salary for psychologists with a |
| degree. Throw in a business double major or minor, | | | | bachelor's degree was about $20,600 in 1999; those |
| and any company will find you indispensable.o | | | | with superior academic records could begin at $25,500. |
| Community Relations. This fascinating field covers a | | | | Moving beyond starting salaries, however, the |
| wide range of jobs-working as an advocate, an | | | | Handbook reports that psych graduates with only a |
| outreach coordinator, an event coordinator and more.o | | | | bachelor's degree earn roughly $44,600 a year. |
| Public Relations. As a public relations specialist, you'll | | | | Those who work in management and senior-level |
| work with the media, write press releases and other | | | | administrative positions earn the most, at $58,000 per |
| materials, do research and fundraising, organize events | | | | year, followed by those employed under the broad |
| and more.o Advertising & Market Research. More | | | | category of insurance, securities, real estate and |
| and more Advertising Agencies are hiring those with a | | | | business services who earn an average of $56,000. |
| psychology background to help formulate advertising | | | | Social workers and administrative record clerks earn |
| strategies.o Teaching. If you also obtain a teaching | | | | the least at close to $30,000 per year. |
| certificate along with your degree, you can teach in | | | | In other words, you can do anything you want to do |
| both public and private schools.o Retail and Sales. | | | | with a psychology degree. Alumni surveys of college |
| Every retail organization understands the power that a | | | | undergraduates show that there are firemen, |
| psychology degree can bring to their bottom line; these | | | | marketing directors, ministers, teachers, pilots and |
| companies are always eager to hire those with a | | | | business executives working with their degrees in |
| background in psychology! | | | | psychology. Additionally, psych majors are especially |
| Earn a Graduate Degree | | | | well positioned in the job market because they are |
| Just because your bachelor's degree is in psychology | | | | trained to think critically and creatively and are skilled in |
| doesn't mean you have to earn a master's in the | | | | communications. |
| same field for a successful career! You might be | | | | Those with a psychology degree are incredibly |
| surprised to know that nearly 40% of those with a | | | | versatile-they have the same skills that you'd need as |
| bachelor's degree in psychology go on to law school, | | | | a business executive, architect, librarian or social |
| business school, or some other professional school. It | | | | worker. There are not many jobs that require skills that |
| shouldn't seem so odd-if you are practicing law, having | | | | psychology majors don't have! |
| a degree that involves the study of the human brain | | | | |