Careers in Psychology

OverviewWhat kind of knowledge, skills and abilities

do you have as a result of your psych major?

What kind of jobs can you get with a psych degree?

How will I know which job is right for me?How do I land a job?

Knowledge and Skills Psychology Majors Develop:

Problem solvingEffective oral and written communicationCritical thinking: analysis, synthesis, evaluationSocial perception and sensitivity Information literacy skillsKnowledge of social behaviorResearch skills:

statistical analysis, research design measurement, and evaluation

Perform and interpret descriptive and inferential statistics Written communication skills

Ability to work comfortably in collaborative settingsUnderstand issues from a variety of perspectivesGather and organize information from multiple sources

Leaders in business, industry, and government have identified certain knowledge, skills, and dispositions as especially important for success in the global economy

The ability to apply knowledge and skills to real-world settings

Conscientiousness, personal responsibility, and dependability

Skill in oral and written communicationInterpersonal and team work skillsSkills in critical thinking and solving complex

problemsRespect for people different from oneselfThe ability and desire for life long learningHart (2006). How should colleges prepare students to succeed in today’s global economy? Report prepared on behalf of the Association of American Colleges and Universities. Hart Research Associates, Inc: Washington, DC

Possible career settings for psych majors

Adoption and child care agencies

Court systemAdvertising depts and

agenciesEducational agenciesAir, bus, rail linesGovernment agenciesBusiness corporationsHospitals

Churches and religious organizations

Mgmt consulting firms

Colleges and schools

Mental health agencies and associations

Community organizations

Personnel departments

Correctional institutions

Social services agencies 

Helping Professions: Mental Health & Social Services AreasBachelors level

case workerchild protection

workerbehavior analystdirector of volunteer

servicesprobation/parole

officersubstance abuse

counselorprogram managerpsychiatric technician

• rehabilitation advisor

• family service worker

• residential youth counselor

• group home coordinator

• social service director

• daycare center supervisor

• veterans' advisor • employment

counselor

Business-Related Areas

advertising trainee insurance agentpersonnel

worker/administratoradministrative assistantjob analystpublic information

officeradvertising agentloan officerpublic relationsairline reservations

clerkmanagement traineeoccupational analyst

• sales representative• claims specialist• marketing

representative• small business owner• customer relations• marketing researcher• store manager• employee counselor• media buyer• staff training and

development• employment counselor

Jobs with a bright outlook (numerous job openings or rapid growth) 2012Child, family, and school social workersCorrectional officersEducational, guidance, school, and vocational

counselorsLoan officers (mortgage and bank industry)Marketing specialistsReal estate sales managementSales, scientific productsHuman services specialistsMarriage and family therapist*I/O psychologists*Market research analysts and specialists*Mental health and substance abuse counselors*

Rajecki & Borden (2011)Mean starting salary = $ 35 K

Psychology (median $39,640)Administrative assistant 35,100Social services manager 34,900Social worker 41,000Mental health counselor 36,500Mental health case manager 32,800Applied behavior analysis therapist 40,700Nonprofit organization program coordinator 38,600Human resources administrator 44,500Employment/recruitment or placement specialist

54,800Substance abuse counselor 37,500

How do I know if the job is right for me?Informational interviews

Purposes: Learn about a career & networkSteps: 1) identify occupation 2) identify people to

talk to 3) request an interview 4) research organization and job to develop questions to ask

Identify people to talk withAlumni Friends of friendsLinkedIn

Send a formal letter/email with your resume (formality will depend on relationship)http://www.quintcareers.com/

information_sample_letter.htmlDuring the interview

Ask appropriate and important questionsNever ask for a job during an informational interviewSend a thank you note afterward

How do I know if the job is right for me? Volunteer or internshipsContact career services to locate

organizationsOr identify organizations in the community

 Send a letter/meet with someoneOffer your time/volunteer/intern

How can I get a job? ResumeShould be flawless and not wordy (45 second rule)Evaluate your skills and abilities and highlight these on

your resume These include KSAs developed during your coursework,

extracurricular activities, work experiences, volunteer experiences etc.Remember which skill employers seek: writing and public speaking

ability, problem identification and solving, small group and teamwork skills, leadership, flexibility, tolerance for ambiguity, organizational skills

IncludeHeading, education, experience, activities and affiliationsOptional: executive summary, key skills or accomplishments

Keep in mindUse action verbs Don’t use passive voice, don’t change verb tense thoughout

How can I get a job? Cover letters

3 – 4 short paragraphsWhy I am writing

Introduce yourself and state why you are interestedBe specific about what job you seek and what you can offer

How I’m qualified Describe your academic and professional qualifications and how

they relate to the job requirementsWhy I’m right for this job

Relate yourself to the company and provide reasons you should be considered

Demonstrate that you know about the company or industry)What steps I’ll take to make sure we talk further about my

qualifications Request an interview or let them know that you will contact them to

follow up

How can I get a job? Network!

Uncover the “hidden” job market Use “cold call” letters

Cover letters & Resumes http://careers.uw.edu/Workshops#resumesinthe21stcentury http://www.quintcareers.com/tutorials.html http://www.wellesley.edu/cws/students/resume-senior-teaching%20-

odonnell.pdf http://www.unk.edu/offices/ACS/Career_Services/Students/

Career_Handbook/Cover_Letters/ http://www.nwmissouri.edu/careerserv/students/PDF/Sample

%20Resumes/IDM_Major.pdf A general site for psych majors

http://www.socialpsychology.org/career.htm\ Job sites

Quintessential careers, job hunter’s bible, college grad job hunter, job web, monstercollege

Graduate school: Programs in psychologyBasic/Experimental

CognitiveSocialHealthDevelopmentalPhysiological/Biological/NeuroscienceQuantiative

Graduate school: Programs in psychologyApplied

Human Factors/Engineering/ErgonomicsIndustrial/Organizational/Organizational

Behavior/ConsumerForensic/LegalCounseling/ClinicalSportsSchool/Educational Psychology

What do you need to apply?GRE (Graduate Record Exam) (or other exam)

High GRE scores (+1200 Q + V), Medium (+1100 Q+V)Q portion more important for basic vs. applied settings

(except HF)Application for admissionPersonal statement

Why do you want to pursue graduate study at the specific program you are applying for? How do you “fit” in the program?

TranscriptsGPA of 3.0 or above 3.5

Resume/CVLetters of recommendation

Often three, usually anonymous

Importance of criteriaDepends on basic vs. appliedThings that look good

InternshipsIndependent or collaborative research

projectsLeadership or service activities

Important non-objective criteriaLetters of recommendationInterviewExperience