Psychology Careers To Consider
In the ever-evolving field of psychology, choosing a career path can be both exciting and overwhelming. For those with an undergraduate degree, a multitude of psychology-related jobs are available, ranging from consulting roles within organizations to independent research roles. Those interested in pursuing a graduate or doctorate-level education may choose to work in clinical practice in schools or mental health centers. Here, we’ll look at eight careers in the field of psychology and some of the typical job responsibilities involved in these fields.
What is the best path for psychology?
When considering possible careers in psychology, it’s crucial to understand the professional landscape of the field as well as the needs of the market. However, the best path for you may depend on your own needs and interests. Conduct thorough research on a number of psychology-related roles to find one that suits you. Then, you can look into educational programs that align with your career goals.
Note that with only a bachelor’s degree in psychology, your options may be somewhat limited. While your understanding of human psychology may help you thrive in a number of roles, providing psychological services typically requires an advanced level of education. Thus, most careers in psychology require the completion of a master’s or doctoral program.
Careers for psychology majors to consider
Psychologists provide a broad range of mental health services—treating patients, conducting research, consulting, teaching, etc.—in widely varying contexts. Whether you’re considering pursuing a graduate degree in psychology or looking for work as a post-doctoral psychologist, the following career paths can lead to rewarding, challenging roles.
School psychology
As the name suggests, school psychologists are generally responsible for working with children and adolescents in educational settings and schools. School psychologists are responsible for helping foster student learning by working with young people who are experiencing social, academic, and emotional challenges. Many school psychologists work with youth by teaching them problem-solving skills, emotional control strategies, and communication skills.
If you are considering pursuing a school psychology career, you may have many opportunities to help youth with evolving needs. Currently, young people are facing unique challenges, and mental health problems are a growing concern for school-aged children and adolescents. School psychologists can play an important role in helping to treat mental health issues in young people as they navigate academic stress, social pressure, and, in some cases, difficult home environments.
Clinical psychology
Clinical psychologists usually specialize in working with individuals who are living with various mental disorders. They are required to undergo extensive education and training, including a doctorate in psychology (PsyD or PhD). While doctoral programs may be intensive, clinical psychologists often enjoy a high level of job satisfaction due to their significant impact on improving the emotional health and well-being of their clients. Clinical psychology, which focuses on the treatment of mental disorders, can be distinguished from counseling psychology. While they may address symptoms of a condition, counselors typically help clients work through a range of other life challenges and emotional concerns.
Working in settings such as mental health clinics, hospitals, and exclusive practices, clinical psychologists use a range of therapeutic techniques and research methods to diagnose, treat, and support individuals facing mental health challenges like clinical depression, anxiety disorders, behavioral disorders, and more complex psychological conditions. According to ZipRecruiter, the average annual salary for a clinical psychologist in the United States in 2023 is roughly $110,000.
Developmental psychology
Developmental psychologists specialize in understanding how people grow and change throughout their lives, examining the psychological processes related to development from infancy through old age. Developmental psychologists study human growth in a variety of contexts. Some developmental psychologists work independently—as consultants in various industries, for example—while others are part of teams that work in research settings, government agencies, clinics, or universities.
These professionals play a vital role in identifying and addressing developmental delays or problems in children, understanding the aging process, and providing insights into the challenges and growth opportunities at different life stages. They may conduct scientific research to explore questions about development or work directly with individuals or groups to apply developmental principles in real-world settings.
Cognitive psychology
Cognitive psychologists study the intricate processes that drive human thought and behavior, delving into areas such as perception, memory, attention, language, problem-solving, and decision-making. By studying these mental processes, cognitive psychologists aim to gain a deeper understanding of how people absorb, process, and retain information.
Cognitive psychology plays a critical role in shaping technology, education, public policy, and more. While there are some career options in cognitive psychology at the bachelor’s degree level, there tend to be more for those with a master’s or doctoral degree. For example, at the master’s level, a professional may work in human performance research, while individuals with doctoral degrees might conduct research in academic settings.
Consumer psychology
Consumer psychologists typically work closely with businesses, retailers, and economists. Their work may involve developing marketing and advertising campaigns, determining the popularity of a product or service, or probing the behavioral patterns of shoppers and buyers. In addition to expertise in social psychology, consumer psychologists generally need to have ample knowledge of how media, culture, and interpersonal relationships can impact the decisions people make when buying goods and services. Experts in consumer psychology may have a variety of specialties. For example, a company may employ an engineering psychologist to help them develop products that are easier to use; or an organization may utilize experimental psychologists when conducting research on spending habits.
However, consumer psychology findings are not limited to business applications; they can also inform public policy, especially in areas related to consumer protection, public health campaigns, and environmental behavior. The insights provided by consumer psychologists help in creating more effective communications that can lead to healthier, more sustainable consumer choices.
Industrial-organizational psychology
Industrial-organizational psychologists play a crucial role in helping organizations better understand their employees with the goal of improving workplace productivity and employee well-being. Specialists in industrial-organizational psychology apply psychological theories and research to help facilitate organizational development. They may help optimize hiring processes, develop training programs, and liaise between employees and management. Much of their work focuses on finding ways of improving organizational structures, company culture, and employee retention.
Industrial-organizational psychologists typically hold a master’s degree or doctoral-level degree, often with a focus on I-O psychology. In 2022, the median annual income for industrial-organizational psychologists was $139,280.
Rehabilitation psychology
Rehabilitation psychologists work with individuals to assist them as they overcome the mental and emotional aspects of disabilities and chronic health conditions. They help their clients learn critical skills so that they may lead fulfilling and independent lives despite physical health, cognitive, or emotional limitations. A specialist in rehabilitation psychology may be a neuropsychologist, developmental or sports psychologist, or an expert in health psychology.
Rehabilitation psychologists may work in hospitals, social services agencies, rehabilitation centers, community health agencies, and personal practices. A doctoral degree in psychology (Ph.D. or PsyD) is typically required to practice. This advanced education includes specialized training in areas relevant to physical and cognitive disabilities, chronic illness, and the psychological aspects of rehabilitation.
Forensic psychology
The legal system relies on the knowledge and expertise of psychologists in a variety of domains. A forensic psychologist may work within the court system, law enforcement agencies, correctional facilities, and other government agencies. Forensic psychologists may conduct competency evaluations, treat inmates in prison, serve as expert witness during trials, or develop criminal profiles in law enforcement investigations. According to experts in this psychology field, continuing job growth is expected as the demand for professionals outpaces the supply.
Talk to a clinical psychologist online
If you’re interested in a career in psychology but aren’t sure what direction to go, you may benefit from speaking with a licensed counselor. Deciding on a career path can be challenging, and many people may benefit from a professional’s opinion. If this is the case for you, you might find that using an online therapy platform can make it easy to connect with a psychologist or other licensed professional who can offer career counseling services. In addition, online therapy can provide support for any mental health concerns you may be experiencing.
As one study from 2020 explains, online therapy can be as effective as traditional in-person therapy for several mental health concerns. Working with a therapist online may alleviate any symptoms of stress or anxiety you might feel about choosing the right career path.
Takeaway
There can be many potential careers in the field of psychology, depending on your interests. For instance, you may choose to become a consumer, industrial-organizational, health, school, cognitive, or clinical psychologist. In some of these careers, you can work directly with individuals seeking help for their mental health. In others, you can work with organizations or businesses to conduct research and improve productivity.
It may help to speak with a licensed counselor about your career options and aspirations. With BetterHelp, you can be matched with someone who has experience in psychology and even career counseling. Take the first step toward getting help with career choices and reach out to BetterHelp.
Read more below for answers to questions commonly asked about careers in psychology.
Is psychology a good career?
Psychology careers can be beneficial for many reasons. Labor statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show psychologists made an average of $85,330 annually in 2022. Specialized psychologists like forensic psychologists may make over $100,000 annually. Psychology careers can also be emotionally gratifying, allowing individuals to apply psychological principles to their lives and the lives of hundreds of clients. Learning about human behavior, cognitive processes, and emotions may be fun for those who enjoy learning how the brain works.
What does a psychologist do?
Those with a degree in psychology can support clients as counselors. In clinical psychology, they may offer support through various therapeutic modalities, including cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and hundreds of other approaches. Those with a master’s degree may only be able to offer counseling. However, those with a PsyD or Ph.D. can choose to perform psychological research or work in educational psychology as a university professor. Doctorate-level psychology jobs may also offer the opportunity to conduct research in a lab or create clinical trials.
What psychology careers pay the highest?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, industrial-organizational psychologists make the highest annual salary of all psychology jobs, with a mean yearly wage of $144,610 in 2022. People working in forensic psychology, educational psychology, and criminal psychology may also have a higher salary than those in clinical psychology.
How do I start my career in psychology?
To become a psychologist, you must start by obtaining a bachelor’s degree in psychology or a related field. Afterward, you must achieve a master’s degree in psychology, counseling, or social work. After completing your master’s degree, you may study for two to four more years to receive a doctorate PsyD or Ph.D. degree in psychology. You can work as a counselor or therapist with just a master’s degree, but you won’t be working in clinical psychology as a psychologist. Only those with a doctorate-level degree in psychology are considered psychologists.
Psychology majors may also be required to take a certain number of courses, participate in an internship or practicum, and achieve supervised work hours to gain a license to practice clinical psychology after attaining their degree in psychology. Once you have your license to practice and a valid degree in psychology, you can open your own practice or apply to work at a mental healthcare organization. Some psychology jobs may be contract-based.
How hard is a psychology degree?
The difficulty level of a psychology degree can depend on your individual strengths and weaknesses. If you enjoy learning about the human body, the brain, and how people work, you may enjoy an academic career in psychology. However, if you are more business-minded and logical or lack empathy for others, you may not enjoy the classes or find them as easy as other psychology students. Psychology students, especially in graduate school, may also be asked to complete a significant number of statistics courses. If you struggle with statistics, you may find the psychology path to a master’s degree or doctorate difficult.
Is psychology hard in college?
Psychology career paths can be rewarding, but the schooling people take to gain psychology careers may be challenging for some. Getting a master’s degree in psychology can require six to eight years of schooling. A doctorate can require eight to 12 years of education in psychological principles. In addition, many classes go into depth on psychological principles like cognitive processes, neurology, forensic psychology, and mental health issues. You may not find the subject matter difficult if you enjoy these topics.
What pays more: Psychology or sociology?
Psychology careers generally pay more than sociology careers. People who get a degree in sociology may go on to get a degree in clinical social work, which pays significantly less than psychology jobs. Because social work involves a master’s degree and becoming a psychologist involves getting a doctorate, the education level is different. In addition, sociologists study social groups, communities, and identity, whereas psychologists often study psychological principles like mental illness, therapy, and maladaptive behaviors. These two career paths can differ significantly, so consider comparing options with an educational career advisor before choosing your master’s degree path or dream psychology careers.
What are the pros and cons of being a psychologist?
Psychology jobs and career paths can have several pros and cons, which may be subjective to each individual. Some pros of working in psychology careers may include supporting sensitive populations, learning complex psychological principles, and growing your knowledge of current research in cognitive processes. After achieving your bachelor’s degree in psychology, a world of education and career paths may open for you.
However, there may be a few cons to working in psychology careers. For example, psychology careers can take significant time to build up. After achieving your bachelor’s degree, you must get a master’s and doctorate to become a psychologist. In the meantime, you may have to work full-time and go to school simultaneously, which can be difficult for people with families, relationships, and hobbies. In addition, clinical psychologists assess and treat various mental illnesses that may be challenging to work with, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Some may be at risk of vicarious (secondary) trauma or compassion fatigue when working in psychology jobs.
Despite these potential downfalls, many career paths can be taken in psychology, and various psychology jobs are on the market and in demand. After achieving your bachelor’s degree, master’s, and doctorate, you may be able to find a job easily, with many clients seeking specialists in a variety of fields.
Is it smart to be a psychology major?
Being a psychology major, whether you’re seeking your bachelor’s degree, master’s, or doctorate, can be a rewarding path. Many psychology jobs are available for people of all education levels, including those with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. For example, after obtaining your bachelor’s degree, you may be able to be a case manager, group home leader, support worker, or mental health writer. After your master’s degree, you can apply for licensure and supervised experience. If you go on to get a doctorate, more career paths may open to you, including psychology jobs as a professor, researcher, or clinical psychologist.
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