In addition to all the misconceptions and myths around psychology, lots of laypeople believe that psychology is a very bad career choice for students. But why? Considering psychology is an extremely popular degree in the US and UK, it is surprising to learn that people think it is a bad idea to pursue for a career. So in this Careers In Psychology podcast episode, you’ll learn why
people think this? And more importantly, why they’re wrong?
This episode has been sponsored by Clinical Psychology (There’s a great career chapter in the book). Available from all major eBook and audiobook retailers and you can order the paperback and hardback copies from Amazon, your local bookstore and local library, if you request it.
Why Do People Think Psychology Is A Bad Career Choice?
As I mentioned earlier, psychology degrees are very popular in the US and UK. But with all the myths and misconceptions surrounding psychology, it often leads to parents asking (quite rightly) their children or university: “what are you doing to do with a psychology degree?” or “Don’t do a psychology degree. It’s useless,”
Now I do understand these questions, because I am of the firm belief, people should only go to university to do a degree with a job at the end of it. For example, any hard and social science degree is a great option because there are specific roles at the end of it, more or less. For example, a biology degree has a biologist job at the end of it potentially.
Whereas if you do an English Literature degree… you could become an English teacher? A poet?
A… I don’t know. There is no English Literature job that jumps to mind.
Also I like these science jobs because you cannot do them without a degree.
Anyway, these questions from parents are understandable.
What Options Does A Psychology Degree Offer?
As I have and will continue to explore in future episodes, there are plenty of career options with a psychology degree. However, as I’ve mentioned before, you need at least a Master's degree to do anything within psychology. As well as less than half of students that do a Psychology Bachelor's go on to do a Masters and higher.
We’ll return to students who only do a psychology Batchelor's later on with a link to a great website at the bottom, but now let’s focus on Master's students and higher.
As shown in the paths To Becoming A Psychotherapist podcast episode, the most obvious career pathways with a psychology degree is to do something in clinical and counselling psychology. Since these are the two career pathways that are most popular in TV and films.
Nonetheless, there are other, more specialised jobs in the broad psychology job market. For example, with the more applied psychology degrees, like cognitive, social and biological psychology. You can become a researcher amongst other areas.
In addition, I will look at this in another episode but with organisational psychology, you could become a worker in Human Resources, business strategy, marketing and many more places.
Conclusion:
Because of the psychology job market is so large and has so many opportunities for psychology degrees, this post has just scratched the surface of this topic. If you’re interested in learning more about Careers In Psychology then definitely check out the “Other Links of Interest” section.
Personally, I’m really pleased that there are so many different options for students in psychology. And at least we can all set the record straight about the so-called lack of opportunities with a psychology degree.
I’m really looking forward to future Careers In Psychology episodes where we get to focus on more specialised areas of psychology and what jobs they have.
I hope you’re excited too!
I really enjoy you enjoyed today’s episode.
If you want to learn more, please check out:
Clinical Psychology (There’s a great career chapter in the book). Available from all major eBook and audiobook retailers and you can order the paperback and hardback copies from Amazon, your local bookstore and local library, if you request it.
Have a great day!
Other Links of Interest:
Careers In Psychology Reference
https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/cutting-edge-leadership/202009/why-everyone-thinks-psychology-is-bad-career-choice
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