General Information:

  • Psychology provides a broad, liberal arts background.
  • Some students may choose to study psychology because they enjoy the subject but wish to pursue careers requiring “any major.” In this scenario, it is critical to develop desirable skills through internships, part-time or summer jobs or volunteer experiences. Some skills valued most by employers include: communication, interpersonal, leadership, teamwork and computer skills.
  • Other students may major in psychology because they want to work in a related field. Many entry-level helping positions are available, however the amount of direct client contact is limited for those who have a bachelor’s degree. Students may wish to pursue graduate education in psychology, social work, counseling, college student personnel or other related fields to increase opportunities and earning potential.
  • For those wishing to pursue graduate education, maintain a high grade point average, secure strong faculty recommendations and gain experience through volunteer or work opportunities. Assist a faculty member with his or her research.

Prepared by the Career Planning staff of Career Services at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. (2005) UTK is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA Employer.

Explore Possible Careers Pathways in Psychology:

 

Human Services: Areas & Employers

Areas – Human Services

  • Counseling
  • Advocacy
  • Mental Health Services
  • Case Management
  • Programming
  • Community Relations
  • Administration

Employers

  • Federal government, including Departments of: Health and Human Services Justice, Veterans Administration
  • State government, including Departments of: Human Services, Mental Health & Mental Retardation, Community mental health centers, State psychiatric hospitals, Facilities for mentally impaired, Justice, Probation and parole
  • Local government
  • Senior citizens’ centers
  • United Way agencies
  • Nonprofit organizations
  • Religiously-affiliated service organizations
  • Hospitals

Human Services: Strategies

Strategies

Obtain essential practical experience through part-time or summer jobs such as camp counselor, tutor, or resident hall advisor. Complete an internship for academic credit. Gain experience through volunteering with organizations such as crisis hotlines, Big Brother or Sister, Special Olympics, service fraternities or sororities, etc. Many entry-level helping positions require one year of related experience. Volunteer experience can typically fulfill this requirement. Learn to work well with different types of people. Develop strong communication skills.

Cultivate the desire to help others. Become fluent in a foreign language spoken by multi-cultural clients. Be willing to relocate. Become familiar with government hiring procedures. Acquire knowledge of government and community resources available for those in need. Obtain a graduate degree in psychology, counseling, or social work for substantive counseling work and advancement into administrative work. Many specialties exist at the graduate level, for example school counseling, mental health counseling, rehabilitation counseling, etc. Pursue particular degrees depending upon interests and career goals. Pursue an excellent academic record.

Research: Employers

Employers

  • Federal government including: Department of Health and Human Services, National Institute of Education, Office of Naval Research
  • National headquarters of non-profit organizations
  • Universities and colleges

Research: Strategies

Strategies

Work with a professor on his or her research project. Develop strong quantitative and statistical skills. Obtain a graduate degree for greater opportunities.

Human Resources: Areas & Employers

Areas – Human Resources

  • Employment and Recruitment
  • Labor Relations
  • Compensation and Benefits

Employers

  • Large companies
  • Government agencies
  • Employment and temporary agencies
  • Large non-profit organizations including hospitals and educational institutions

Human Resources: Strategies

Strategies

Acquire related experience as a resident hall advisor, orientation leader, admissions tour guide or student assistant in career services. Find student organization committee work in policy making or settling disputes. Supplement curriculum with business courses. Acquire strong computer skills.

Public Relations: Areas & Employers

Areas – Public Relations

  • Research
  • Programming
  • Writing and Editing
  • Event Planning
  • Media Placement
  • Public Speaking
  • Fund-raising

Employers

  • Public relations and advertising firms
  • Companies with public relations departments
  • Professional associations
  • Federal, state and local government
  • Colleges and universities
  • Non-profit organizations

Public Relations: Strategies

Strategies

Develop strong writing and speaking skills. Obtain related experience with campus newspaper, television or radio station. Serve as an admissions tour guide or work in alumni relations or other PR-related functions. Volunteer as a fund-raiser or political canvasser. Gain experience through internships. Join the campus chapter of Public Relations Society of America.

Advertising: Areas & Employers

Areas – Advertising

  • Creative
  • Media
  • Account Services
  • Research

Employers

  • Advertising agencies
  • Companies with in-house advertising agencies or departments

Advertising: Strategies

Strategies

  • Obtain relevant experience with campus newspaper, television, or radio station.
  • Work with student-run businesses. Find an internship, even if unpaid, with a market research or advertising firm. Develop a portfolio for creative positions.
  • Obtain a business minor or double major for account services positions.

Market Research: Employers

Employers

  • Market research firms
  • Market research departments of consumer goods and manufacturing firms

Market Research: Strategies

Strategies

Develop a strong background in math and statistics. Get involved in the American Marketing Association. Obtain related experience. Get a part-time or summer field service position with a market research firm. Obtain business research experience. Serve as a canvasser or phone interviewer for a non-profit organization or political campaign. Earn a graduate degree in statistics or marketing for the greatest number of opportunities.

Teaching: Employers

Employers

  • Public and private schools
  • Colleges and universities

Teaching: Strategies

Strategies

  • Obtain teaching certificate for public school positions. Dual certification will increase marketability. Seek guidance from education department of your college. Secure strong personal recommendations. Volunteer as a tutor.
  • Gain experience working with children or adolescents. PhD required for post-secondary teaching.

Retailing: Areas & Employers

Areas – Retailing

  • Management

Employers

  • Department stores
  • Specialty stores
  • Discount stores
  • Super retailers

Retailing: Strategies

Strategies

Secure leadership positions in campus organizations. Work a part-time or summer job in a retail store. Demonstrate a willingness to take on additional responsibilities such as “assistant manager.” Be willing to start in a management-trainee program. Learn to work well with different types of people.

Sales: Employers

Employers

  • Retailers
  • Service providers
  • Wholesalers
  • Manufacturers
  • Insurance companies
  • Real estate companies

Sales: Strategies

Strategies

  • Obtain experience through internships or sales jobs. Take business courses.
  • Participate in student organizations and seek leadership roles. Must be highly motivated and well organized. Develop a strong commitment to customer satisfaction. Must work well under pressure and be comfortable in a competitive environment.