6 positive things to consider about getting a bachelor's degree in psychology
Throughout my college career, I met many people who studied psychology. Any time small talk occurs on a college campus the question “What’s your major?” comes up. Hearing people answer “psychology” always interested me and made me wonder where that degree would take them. Turns out, it can take a person much further than I thought.
After asking, “What can a bachelor’s degree in psychology do for you?” I found the answer: A lot more than you might think. Consider these six aspects regarding a bachelor’s degree in psychology when deciding on future studies.
1.) Studying psychology teaches you life skills
Since psychology studies the brain and human behavior, it only makes sense that the information learned while studying psychology assists you in ways beyond having a successful career.
Problem solving, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence improve when you study psychology. Each one of these tools will positively impact your relationships and your overall day-to-day life.
Becoming an effective problem solver allows you to work through issues more efficiently. A big part of this comes from the ability to assess a situation and determine the best way to navigate it.
Critical thinking connects to problem solving because each of these skills helps people think of solutions to problems on the spot. Knowledge of the situation and the human mind allows this process to happen quickly.
Similarly, emotional intelligence helps you understand yourself and the way you feel, allowing you to better react to situations. “Emotional intelligence is the ability to understand, use and manage your own emotions in positive ways to relieve stress, communicate effectively, empathize with others, overcome challenges and defuse conflict,” a variety of authors from HelpGuide said.
Psychology courses assist with each one of these skills because they give you a better understanding of human behavior. This helps you understand your own emotions and other people’s decisions and respond accordingly.
Speaking from personal experience, the one friend I have who studied psychology happens to be one of the most communicative, emotionally intelligent people I know.
If problems arise, she has ideas to solve them.
Coincidence? Probably not.
“Emotional intelligence is the ability to understand, use and manage your own emotions in positive ways to relieve stress, communicate effectively, empathize with others, overcome challenges and defuse conflict.”
2.) A positive program experience
When spending four years in a program, you at least want to enjoy it a little. Right?
Lucky for you, psychology programs generally have positive feedback from previous students. So, what can you expect?
While it ranges from school to school, most programs include a list of general education classes to start. You can expect to enroll in some entry level psychology courses and then narrow your focus as you discover your passions. Many students who studied psychology not only say positive things about their experiences after, but also quite enjoyed their time within their undergraduate program.
CSU Online’s Psychology B.S. helps students “develop skills that employers value, learn fundamental psychological concepts, and study online in a collaborative atmosphere.”
Emma Bonca, former psychology student who studied at Colorado State University states: “I loved how almost every class related to each other. I would learn something in one class and be able to apply it to the other along with real life scenarios.”
“I loved how almost every class related to each other. I would learn something in one class and be able to apply it to the other along with real life scenarios.”
– Emma Bonca
Neemah Koroma, former psychology student from the University of Virginia states: “I was in love with learning about how the mind works and how our environment contributes to who we are.”
These student experiences capture a small piece of what makes a psychology degree interesting and enjoyable.
3.) Lots of job flexibility and variety
Given the many skills you will learn in a psychology program, you’ll be qualified for hundreds of jobs, even if the connection does not click immediately. For instance, the University of Bridgeport states that a school faculty advisor, who studied psychology, connects with their students better than someone without this background. A market research analyst with a background in psychology understands consumer decisions. A human resources manager needs to have a firm understanding of interpersonal communication, which a degree in psychology serves.
These are just three of the many job opportunities that a bachelor’s degree in psychology delivers.
However, steep competition for these jobs often exists. Since many other bachelor’s degrees would support jobs like these, it may be more difficult to land a position in a role unrelated to psychology for those who studied it. The phrase “qualified but competitive” adequately describes this concept.
One way to make yourself a stronger candidate for jobs like these is to pick up a minor that could increase your chances of getting hired. Minors in business, economics, or communications are good options.
While some jobs have a cloudier connection to psychology, others present it clear as day.
Many entry level jobs that directly link to psychology include ‘assisting professionals,’ such as clinical psychologists or social workers.
Kendra Cherry, MSEd of VeryWell Mind, lists case managers, mental health technicians, psychiatric technicians, rehabilitation specialists, social work assistants, and partial care workers as examples of jobs that you could tackle with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. While there are more entry level jobs that directly relate to psychology, assisting professionals provides a clear way to gain exposure.
4.) You can grow your career by continuing your education
If you’re looking to practice as a professional within the psychology field, additional schooling is required. Whether that means getting a master’s degree in counseling, psychology, or social work to become a therapist or pursuing a doctorate degree to become a psychologist, you can use education to advance your career.
“About 25 percent of psychology baccalaureates go to graduate school in psychology, about 18 percent go on for more education in another field, and 57 percent are workforce graduates.”
While therapy and psychology remain popular occupations within this field, many other careers and career pathways allow students to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to practice professionally. For instance, CSU Online offers an Industrial/Organizational Psychology degree program aimed at “studying the behavior of individuals in business and organizations to determine how to improve performance and productivity.” Whether you’re looking at psychology through a business, medical, or emotional lens, education opportunities do not waver.
It is by no means necessary to further your education to find a job with a bachelor’s in psychology, however doing so tends to open more doors. The American Psychological Association states that “about 25 percent of psychology baccalaureates go to graduate school in psychology, about 18 percent go on for more education in another field, and 57 percent are workforce graduates.” Therefore, job opportunities for psychology students exist regardless of whether they complete additional school or not.
5.) Your salary will support you
By now, the range of jobs that can come from a bachelor’s degree in psychology is undeniable. With a range of jobs comes a range of salary. The salary question with a degree as flexible as this one cannot be answered. Entry level jobs can start at $50,000 but could advance to six figures. If students continue their education, it’s possible they’ll start their career with a six-figure job.
The range of salaries within this career depends on the direction the degree is taken and, of course, the location of the job. However, most starting salaries within this field are enough to support a person. If your aspirations aren’t to live on a beach in California or a nice apartment overlooking Central Park right out of college, the low end of this salary range should be enough.
6.) The future of this field is bright
The topic of mental health has become substantially more common and accepted within society in recent years. As mental health continues to be recognized and taken more seriously, job opportunities that fall under a psychology degree will increase.
As Millennials and Gen Z begin to parent more, it’s likely that mental health will remain a prevalent topic – at home, in school, and in the workplace – likely providing more job opportunities.
So, should you get a bachelor’s degree in psychology?
Many factors should be considered when making a decision like this. Do you want to continue your education? Are you satisfied with the job pool if you don’t continue your education? Are you passionate about psychology and mental health? Will you be able to support yourself with this degree in your local economy?
These are all valid questions to think about when choosing a college major and predicting the possible trajectory of your future.
Choosing a path within higher education is an individual decision that takes time and consideration. However, your degree doesn’t lock you into one area for the rest of your life. After exploring so many applicable jobs that are indirectly related to a psychology degree, this statement speaks for itself.
A psychology degree provides flexibility, teaches life skills, offers a wide variety of career paths, and sets a foundation for your career.
So now when someone tells me they studied psychology, I don’t wonder what that’ll do for them. Instead, I ask where they want to take it, because the opportunities do not fall short.