Jobs With a Bachelor’s in Psychology

Advertising or Marketing Manager

The science of persuasion is a major topic in psychology, which is why advertising or marketing is often an ideal job field for people with a bachelor's degree. Individuals in this field often research the target audience for a product or message, and then develop advertising materials based on what was found.

If you are interested in a career in marketing or advertising, look for ways to gain practical experience now. Internships are an excellent way to get hands-on experience, find professional mentors, and build networking relationships in your chosen field.

Sales Representative

Undergraduate psychology programs help students acquire a wide range of interpersonal skills. Understanding how to determine and then meet a client's needs is valuable in sales and marketing positions. Employers value skills such as the ability to speak well and communicate effectively.

If you are interested in working in sales, take classes that will improve your understanding of people and human behavior. Courses in social psychology, personality psychology, and communications can be especially beneficial.

Psychiatric Technician or Partial Care Worker

Many people with a bachelor’s degree in psychology find jobs in the field of health and human services. These jobs allow psychology majors to pursue a career in psychology without a graduate degree, or to gain experience prior to enrolling in a graduate degree program.

Bachelor's in psychology jobs in this category include:

• Case manager
• Mental health technician
• Psychiatric technician
• Rehabilitation specialist
• Social work assistant
• Partial care worker

These workers aid clients in inpatient and outpatient settings who have a variety of mental health concerns. In most cases, people in these jobs work under the supervision and guidance of a licensed clinical psychologist or social worker.

Career Counselor

If you enjoy helping people discover their potential, working as a career counselor can be a fulfilling choice. This job often involves helping people select a career, assisting those in the process of changing careers, or providing vocational rehabilitation to individuals returning to the workforce.

Some psychology majors in a career counseling role choose to work specifically with adults with disabilities. They assist with skills training, job search help, on-the-job training, and regular workplace supervision.

Writer

Earning a bachelor's degree in psychology generally requires a great deal of writing. After graduation, you could put those communication skills to work as a writer.

There are a variety of writing-focused bachelor's in psychology jobs one can do. They include becoming a technical writer, advertising copywriter, or newspaper reporter. They all benefit from a psychology background.

Probation and Parole Officer

If you are interested in criminal justice, you might want to consider a career as a probation or parole officer. Typically hired by local or state governments, probation and parole officers work directly with people who have been convicted of criminal offenses.

These professionals supervise offenders in home, work, and school settings to track behaviors. They also make recommendations to the courts and coordinate services with drug treatment professionals.

Market Researcher

People working in market research perform a variety of tasks, including conducting interviews, performing opinion polls, collecting data, and interpreting results. A bachelor's in psychology prepares them for jobs in this field by training them in statistical and scientific methodologies.

Childcare Worker

Another way to use your bachelor's degree in psychology is to become a childcare worker. In this role, you would have an immediate and direct impact by helping children learn and grow in a safe environment.

You might consider working in a childcare center, preschool, or after-school program. You may even open your own childcare center or home-based childcare business.

Research Assistant

If you have an interest in research and experimental psychology, working as a laboratory assistant could be a great way to put your bachelor's degree to work. Settings that employ psychology lab assistants include university psychology programs, government agencies, and businesses that study human behavior.

If this kind of job interests you, you can gain valuable research experience while still an undergrad. Sign up for a research assistant position at your university or consider taking an internship in a psych lab.

Social Service Specialist

Individuals with a bachelor's degree in psychology can also find job opportunities working in the social services sector for government agencies or non-profits. These positions might entail helping individuals locate psychological resources in their community, providing counseling services directly to clients, and other types of case management services.

Important skills for those working in the social service field include the ability to assess client needs, keep thorough and accurate records, express empathy and care, and act as advocates for clients.

Teacher

Earn a teaching certificate along with your bachelor's degree in psychology and you can become a teacher. Some graduates opt to apply their knowledge of psychology indirectly as an elementary or middle-school teacher, while others may choose to teach psychology at the high school level.

If you already hold a bachelor's degree in psychology, you might be able to enroll in an accredited teacher education program to earn a teaching certificate in your state. Contact your state's board of education to learn more about the requirements and any alternative routes to becoming a credentialed teacher that might be available.