What carreer options do I have if I want to major in psychology aside from being a psychiatrist/psychologist?

Question

Please help! I really am deeply interested in this subject and hope it to be my carreer. I'm considering if I want to be a psychiatrist but I want to explore other avenues. Please I'm already a junior!

Answer 1

It depends on what areas appeal to you. If you are interested in psychological tests, then you may want to look into psychometrics or quantitative psychology. If you are interested in psychology as it applies to business issues like employee selection, evaluation, and training, then you should look into industrial/organizational psych. And of course, there is also the research/academic route within every area, from neuropsychology to social psychology to clinical.

For the most part, if you want to pursue any specific avenue within psych, you will need at least some graduate training at the M.A. level or beyond. With only a 4-year degree, your options within the field will be limited to very generalized jobs, typically within the mental health field (and the pay won't be that great). Of course, you can find jobs outside of psychology with a 4 year degree as well.

Answer 2

In addition to counseling and teaching, you may also pursue a career in organizational behavior or researcher. You can’t do much with just a BS/BA in Psychology. I know because I have one; therefore, I am thinking you will go on to graduate school.

That is where you can venture and combine fields. I earned my MBA in order to pursue the business psychology side and now I will almost finish my PhD in Organizational Management.

Anyways, there are many career options besides the traditional ones for psychology majors. I would suggest speaking with your school’s career advisors. Hope this helps.

Answer 3

Teaching... Family counciling. Perhaps you could concentrate on a specific set of behaviors that you're interested in. Special education, or marriage.

If you call some local psychiatrists in your area, maybe they could come up with some creative ideas about how to branch out and get 'in' the profession. Hey, it can't hurt to call, can it? The worst you can hear is 'no'.