Careers in Psychology: Learn It 2—Studying Psychology

Merits of an Education in Psychology

Psychology is one of the most popular college majors in the United States. About 6% of all bachelor’s degrees are in psychology.[1] Well-known psychology majors include filmmaker Wes Craven, actress Natalie Portman, comedian Jon Stewart, and even Facebook’s creator Mark Zuckerberg.

Skills Gained Through Studying Psychology

An education in psychology offers skills that are valuable across many careers:

  • Critical Thinking: Psychology students learn to evaluate evidence, recognize biases, and question assumptions. These skills are vital in a world filled with competing “facts” and misinformation.
  • Scientific Literacy: Training in the scientific method helps students analyze data, draw conclusions, and assess reliability.
  • Communication: Coursework and research improve both written and verbal communication skills.

Together, these abilities prepare students to navigate information-rich environments and to apply evidence-based reasoning in everyday life.

If you want to take a deeper dive into what an academic career path in psychology could look like, watch this video from The Psych Show about the benefits and value of studying psychology.
Image showing possible careers from a bachelor's degree in psychology, including work in the business sector, research, counseling and social services, education, health, and with children and families.
Figure 1. Though many professions in psychology require advanced degrees, having a Bachelor’s degree in psychology can give you critical thinking, research, and people skills that make you employable in a wide range of professions. Are there any jobs in this image that look interesting to you?

 

Even without advanced degrees, undergraduate education in psychology can give you skills that are attractive to employers and helpful for work. It should come as no surprise, then, that individuals earning bachelor’s degrees in psychology find themselves in a number of different careers, including education, healthcare, management, sales, social work, human resources, marketing, finance, and more (Fogg, Harrington, Harrington, & Shatkin, 2012).

Why is an undergraduate education in psychology so helpful in a number of different lines of work?

 

  1. Harvard Summer School. (2023, March 29). Why choose psychology as your college major? Harvard University. https://summer.harvard.edu/blog/why-choose-psychology-as-your-college-major/#Why-Should-I-Choose-Psychology ↵