PSY DISCUSSION 9
Leahh
dunn_halonen_lecture_slide_chapter_09.pptxDunn & Halonen The Psychology Major’s Companion
Chapter 9: What Career Options Exist for Students with a Bachelor’s or an Associate’s Degree
in Psychology?
Find out what you like doing best and get someone to pay you for doing it. ~ Katherine Whitehorn, British journalist
Chapter Objectives
Describe public misperceptions about employment viability with a psychology background.
Explore the nature of employment and work life.
Distinguish different types of jobs available for psychology graduates.
Student Learning Outcomes
By the end of this chapter, students should be able to:
Defend against misperceptions regarding psychology graduate employability.
Differentiate available degrees in psychology.
Describe what employers look for in prospective hires.
List examples of jobs that psychology graduates have held.
“Will You Have Fries with That?”
Graduates with liberal arts degrees have the bad rap that they are virtually unemployable.
Not true!
Liberal arts degrees demonstrate the ability to complete projects, follow instructions, and think in complex ways.
Psychology graduates have other skills that give them a workplace advantage.
Reality Check: Workforce Viability
How can you defend against the criticism that psychology majors are likely to be unemployed?
They qualify for a variety of jobs.
The major facilitates working with people.
They are expert in managing data.
They have the opportunity to do something creative.
Entry-level salaries grow with experience.
Defining Degrees (1 of 4)
Baccalaureate Degrees
Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Awarded to students who complete 4 years of undergraduate study in the humanities and social sciences
Bachelor of Science (BS)
Awarded to students who complete 4 years of undergraduate study in the sciences
Defining Degrees (2 of 4)
Associate Degrees
Equivalent to the coursework necessary to complete the first 2 years of coursework for a bachelor’s degree
Associate of Arts (AA)
Associate of Science (AS)
Defining Degrees (3 of 4)
Should you pursue a BA, BS, AA, or AS?
It depends on
career goals
time
resources
Defining Degrees (4 of 4)
Bachelor’s degrees can be terminal degrees (highest level of training) or preparation for graduate study.
Associate’s degrees allow for marketable employment in particular areas.
Career Matters: Bachelor’s Degrees
Of recent psychology graduates:
27% work in jobs that are closely related to psychology.
35% work in somewhat related jobs.
38% work in jobs unrelated to psychology.
(Some would argue that all jobs are linked to psychology.)
Where Do BA/BS Graduates Work? (1 of 2)
Where Do BA/BS Graduates Work? (2 of 2)
Most employers are happy to train hires in the skills they need to succeed in the job.
Successful psychology majors already have skills articulated in the Guidelines 2.0.
What Do Employers Want?
In general, graduates who
earned good grades
know how to learn
are enthusiastic
already have some skills
What Do Employers Want from New Hires? (1 of 2)
Good work ethic
Technology skills
Integrity
Team skills
Research skills
Communication skills
Self-direction
Social skills
Flexibility
Self-confidence
What Do Employers Want from New Hires? (2 of 2)
Professionalism
Listening skills
Ability to learn
Client focus
Quantitative skills
Problem-solving skills
Awareness of diversity
Planning skills
Time management skills
Leadership
Digital Record-Keeping
Set up a digital repository of what your college experience is to facilitate telling your story to an employer.
What is your vocational dream?
What achievements lend support to your occupational goals?
What classroom experiences/projects provide support?
What strengths can you showcase?
Who will vouch for the validity of your claims?
Differences Between Campus and Workplace
| College Campus | Workplace | |
| Structure | Highly structured | Loosely structured |
| Stability | Change is rare | Change is constant |
| Challenge | Intellectual | Organizational |
| Personal Support | Strong | Limited |
| Availability of Correct Answers | Abundant | Limited to absent |
A Sampling of Psychology-Related Jobs at Baccalaureate/Associate Level (1 of 7)
Child Services
Behavior analyst
Career counselor
Child-protection worker
Day care supervisor
Residential advisor
Youth minister
Clinical
Substance abuse counselor
Caseworker
Mental health technician
Rehab advisor
Community outreach worker
A Sampling of Psychology-Related Jobs at Baccalaureate/Associate Level (2 of 7)
College Contexts
Academic advisor
Admissions officer
Alumni relations director
Housing coordinator
Communications
Film researcher
Media buyer
Public relations specialist
Public information officer
Production assistant
A Sampling of Psychology-Related Jobs at Baccalaureate/Associate Level (3 of 7)
Government/Public Service
Congressional aide
Intelligence officer
Lobbyist
Political campaign worker
Management
Fast-food manager
Volunteer service director
Hotel manager
Nursing home administrator
Program manager
A Sampling of Psychology-Related Jobs at Baccalaureate/Associate Level (4 of 7)
Data Management/ Researcher
Fundraising director
Lab assistant
Property manager
Publications researcher
Urban planner
Business
Advertising trainee
Marketing researcher
Small business owner
Event coordinator
Administrative assistant
Office manager
A Sampling of Psychology-Related Jobs at Baccalaureate/Associate Level (5 of 7)
Human Resources
Diversity specialist
Employee relations consultant
Human resources director
Job analyst
Personnel administrator
Staff developer
Customer Service
Bank manager
Claims specialist
Customer relations agent
Hospitalist
Insurance underwriter
Loan officer
Sales representative
A Sampling of Psychology-Related Jobs at Baccalaureate/Associate Level (6 of 7)
Criminal Contexts
Crime-prevention specialist
Probation officer
Security officer
Juvenile probation officer
Law enforcement officer
Human Services
Community organizer
Camp director
Parks and recreation manager
Task force coordinator
Volunteer director
Neighborhood outreach specialist
A Sampling of Psychology-Related Jobs at Baccalaureate/Associate Level (7 of 7)
Education
Driving instructor
Educational coordinator
Tutor
High school teacher
Animal Contexts
Animal trainer
Veterinary assistant
Zoo specialist
Conclusion
Consider which major category has the most appeal for you.
Recognize that new kinds of jobs may develop by the time you graduate.
The critics are clearly off the mark.
Discussion Questions
Why do you suppose psychology gets picked on as a dead-end major by people who really don’t know what the major is?
What degree are you seeking? Why?
What work appeals to you?
What is your ideal kind of workplace?
