WHAT CAN I DO WITH A MAJOR IN...

PSYCHOLOGYwww.sc.edu/career

psy·chol·o·gy

1. The science that deals with mental processes and behavior.

2. The emotional and behavioral characteristics of an individual, group, or activity*

*"psychology." The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004. 06 Aug. 2009. <Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/psychology>.

Psychology Majors Study

• Basic human processes and behaviors at the individual, social, and cellular levels

• Techniques and uses of descriptive and inferential statistics in evaluating human behavior theories of emotion, perception, motivation, personality, learning, and thinking

...and more

Specializations

• Art/Dance/Music Therapy• Clinical Psychology• Community Psychology• Counseling Psychology• Consumer Psychology• Educational Psychology• Forensic Psychology• Guidance (School Counseling)• Health Psychology

• Industrial or Organizational Psychology

• Law• Medicine• Occupational Therapy• Personality Psychology• Recreation• School Psychology• Social Work• Speech Pathology• Sport Psychology

Most undergraduate programs offer only a general course of study. However, many specializations can be pursued with additional study. These include, but are not limited to:

Psychology at the University of South

CarolinaUndergraduate Degrees

Bachelor of Arts (BA)Major: Experimental Psychology

Bachelor of Science (BS)Major: Experimental Psychology

• The university also offers a Minor in Psychology and Neuroscience

Psychology at the University of South

CarolinaGraduate Degrees

Master of Arts (MA)• Experimental Psychology

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD.)• Experimental Psychology• Clinical-Community Psychology• School Psychology

Psychology Majors Develop Skills In

• Using insight to deal effectively with people

• Promoting positive relationships with groups or individuals

• Applying knowledge of human needs to counseling and crisis intervention

• Critical reading

• Using interviewing techniques in investigative reporting, social service, or marketing research

• Conducting surveys and interpreting results

• Analyzing statistical data

Psychology Majors Develop Skills In

• using computers and assisting in lab research

• conducting library research and developing reports

• teaching and speaking to groups

• managing and advising people

• using effective verbal and written communication to convey facts, theories, and ideas

• problem solving, conceptual, and analytical thinking

• observing human behavior

Employment The undergraduate degree alone in psychology does not directly lead to a career as a psychologist or professional counselor.

The degree does provide you with an excellent liberal arts background and is valuable for almost any type of work involving people.

Employment Settings

• Business & Commerce: Includes management and direction of for-profit organizations including the development of business plans, marketing strategies, product development, and human resource management

Sample Occupational Titles Associated With Business &

Commerce

• Account Executive• Community Relations

Representative• Corporate

Merchandising Manager• Customer Service

Representative• EEO/AA Specialist• Junior Market Analyst

• Labor Relations Manager

• Marketing Director• Mediator• Operations Manager• Recruiter• Regulatory

Administrator• Statistician Analyst

Employment Settings

• Communication & Journalism: Includes print, television, radio, and Internet media. Encompasses everything from business planning and capital development to producing and writing original news or entertainment material.

Sample Occupational Titles Associated With

Communication & Journalism

• Advertising Director• Casting Director• Copywriter• Editor• Foreign Correspondent• Media Buyer• Media Planner• News Anchor

• Personnel Interviewer • Press Director• Producer• Public Relations

Specialist• Publications Director• Publisher• Reporter• Technical Writer

Employment Settings

• Consulting:

Includes historical and ethnographic research; political surveying, social/cultural assessments, designing bilingual and bicultural curricula; assessing services, and more.

Sample occupational titles associated with Consulting

• Bicultural Curricula Developer

• Business Consultant• Community Planner• Corporate

Communications Consultant

• Employee Relations Specialist

• Marketing Strategist

• Mediator• Management

Consultant • Policy Analyst• Public Health Advisor• Public Relations

Consultant• Recruitment Consultant• Training Specialist

Employment Settings

• Education: Includes classroom instruction, curricula development, research, writing, administration, program management, and lecturing.

Teaching and research positions at colleges and universities require an advanced degree. Most other teaching positions require proper certification.

Sample Occupational Titles Associated With Education

• Administrator• Admissions Evaluator• Author/Writer• Career Counselor• College or University

Professor• Financial Aid Director• Guidance Counselor• Health Educator • Lecturer

• Primary School Teacher• Program Manager• Residence Hall Director• Secondary School

Teacher• Student Affairs

Professional • Text Writer

Employment Settings

• Social Services: Includes among others counseling, social work, program management, public service, non-profit work, ministry, and positions in correctional facilities.

Most ministry and counseling positions require the completion of a certification or advanced study program.

Sample Occupational Titles Associated With Social

Services

• Art Therapist• Career Planning

Professional• Child Psychologist• Community Worker• Corrections Worker• Crisis Intervention

Counselor• Expressive Therapist

• Mental Health Coordinator

• Occupational Therapist• Parole Officer• Psychiatrist• Public Health

Statistician• Social Worker• Speech Pathologist

Distribution Of Employed Persons With A Bachelor’s Degree In

Psychology By Sector

Source: Fogg, N.P, Harrington, P.E. & Harrington, T.F, (2004). College Majors Handbook (2nd ed). Indianapolis, IN: Jist Publishing.

Government/Military, 16%

Self-Employed, 13%

Education, 14%

Non-Profit, 9%

Private-for-profit, 48%

TOP 10 Occupations That Employ Persons With Only A Bachelor’s

Degree In Psychology 1. Top- and mid-level managers, executives2. Sales (including retail)3. Social Workers4. Other management-related occupations5. Personnel, training and labor relations specialists6. Other administrative (i.e. record clerks)7. Insurance, securities, real estate, business services8. Other marketing and sales occupations9. Registered nurses, pharmacists, therapists,

physician assistants10.Accountants, auditors, other financial specialists

Source: Fogg, N.P, Harrington, P.E. & Harrington, T.F, (2004). College Majors Handbook (2nd ed). Indianapolis, IN: Jist Publishing.

Strategies For Developing Skills To Get The Job You Want

• Pursue an excellent academic record

• Obtain part-time, summer, or internship work experience

• Volunteer with service and counseling organizations

• Become fluent in a foreign language

• Obtain a minor in a related area (i.E. Criminal justice, psychology, gender studies or education)

• Obtain an advanced degree and/or certification to perform counseling

• Develop strong writing and speaking skills

Strategies For Developing Skills To Get The Job You Want

• Develop strong quantitative and statistical skills

• Become comfortable working with people from different backgrounds and cultures

• Take courses focusing on inequality and families

• Become active in peer mediation groups if available

• Secure leadership positions in campus or community groups

• Obtain teaching certification

• Acquire survey and evaluation skills

Books And Web Resources

Books

Career Paths in Psychology by Robert J. Sternberg

Careers in Psychology: Opportunities in a Changing World

by Tara L. Kuther and Robert D. Morgan

Great Jobs for Psychology Majors by Julie Degalan and Stephen E. Lambert

Web Resources

APA: American Psychological Association http://www.apa.org/

American Psychological Society  http://www.psychologicalscience.org/

Psych Web http://www.psywww.com/

Resources For More Information

Department of Psychology www.cas.sc.edu/psyc

Career Center Libraryhttp://www.sc.edu/career/Library/library.html

Psychology Related Websites www.sc.edu/career/la/psych.html

CAS Career Development Websitewww.sc.edu/career/cascdp/index.html

Career Center Contact Information

University of South Carolina Career Center6th Floor, H. William Close Building (BA Building)Columbia, SC 29208Phone: (803) 777-7280On-call counseling without an appointment: M - F, 1:00 am - 4:00 pm (Summer and holiday hours may differ, please check the website at www.sc/edu/career)