Psychology Careers: Quick Reference Notes

Start early with available resources; bookmark links and download key files for quick reference.
The department provides an 82-page Word document outlining psychology career options, with embedded links to updated sites. In this document:
- Blue items can be pursued with a $bachelor\'s \text{ degree}$ .
- Green items require a $graduate\text{ degree}$ to enter the field.
- It includes a "day in the life" YouTube videos to illustrate real work in various roles.
You are encouraged to explore multiple careers, not just one, and to stay open to areas you hadn’t considered.
A poster version of the document is available as a quick at-a-glance reference of jobs.
Use the department resources (faculty pages, research interests, internship opportunities) to plan your path.
The Careers in Psychology site and the APA Careers Guide are additional core references for exploring roles and requirements.

To become a psychologist, a graduate degree is required; but a psychology major can still lead to many good jobs.
Specialist in School Psychology (SSP) is a $3$ -year program; can also earn a master's in the field. SSP typically offers strong hiring prospects.
You can access SSP opportunities through the department; this represents a potentially more streamlined route to certain jobs.
Psychiatrist vs. psychologist:
- Psychiatry requires medical school and residency; psychiatrists prescribe medication.
- Psychologists (clinical, counseling, etc.) are typically trained in graduate psychology programs and focus more on therapy, assessment, and research.
For many roles, a master\'s in fields like social work or human resources is viable with a psychology background; a master\'s in psychology often broadens options as well.
Emphasize that graduate training is often essential for licensure or specific practice, while a BA/BS in psychology still equips you with transferable skills.

Major areas highlighted in the document and class materials:
- Clinical psychology vs. Counseling psychology (differences in focus and typical client needs vs. disorders).
- Industrial/Organizational (IO) psychology: applying psychology to workplace issues; can be a high-earning, growing field.
- Human Resources (HR): many psychology graduates enter HR; benefits, employee health, and retention are common roles; graduate degrees optional but can help.
- Forensic psychology: work with legal settings; related to the on-site forensic psychologist (Dr. Moleski) in some cases.
The document is not exhaustive; use it as a starting point and build understanding through mentored exploration.
Key takeaway: psychology majors develop transferable skills (communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, writing, understanding behavior) that enhance employability across fields.

Obtain a mentor early (preferably a psychology faculty member). Build a genuine relationship over time.
Identify several potential mentors (top 3) to cultivate for letters of recommendation for grad school.
Engage with professors by speaking up in class, attending office hours, and participating in research or internships.
Office hours are valuable for conversations about research, careers, and classes, not just course help.

Research experience and internships are highly valued for graduate applications; gap year can be beneficial, but on-campus options exist (internships, one-on-one research with faculty).
Foundational research courses: $271$ and $272$ (research methods) are typically required; admins aim to complete them by junior year if possible.
Four psychology electives allow you to specialize; plan electives in areas of interest (neuro, clinical, IO, etc.).
Juniors and seniors have more access to higher-level courses; freshmen/sophomores may face registration limits.

Minors are often less critical for graduate admissions; the major matters more.
Double majors are not always advantageous; they can extend your stay but may be worthwhile if there’s a strong intellectual reason.
If you have a nursing major, a psychology minor is still valuable for understanding human behavior; it may not directly confer specific jobs before graduation.
When considering graduate programs, experience (internships, volunteering, research) often weighs more than the exact undergrad major.

McKee Clinic and other campus resources offer practical exposure; graduate students most often participate in clinic-based work; undergraduates can gain experience via tutoring, volunteering, or assisting with research.
Center for Career and Professional Development (CCPD) is a good starting point for campus resources related to jobs and internships.
Service learning on campus helps build skills and align volunteer work with career goals.
On-campus networking includes meeting faculty during office hours and following up by email to schedule alternative times if needed.

Bookmark key links and download the main Word document and the poster version for quick reference.
Regularly review the APA Careers Guide and the department research interests page to identify faculty you’d like to work with and courses to take.
If you want to pursue grad school, plan to engage with at least three potential mentors to secure strong letters of recommendation.
If you are unsure about psychology, reflect on the why in reflective assignments and consider alternate paths such as HR, social work, or related fields.
For career conversations, be prepared to discuss transferable skills and how experiences (internships, volunteering, work outside of campus) translate to psychology roles.

Do you need a graduate degree to work in psychology? Yes for being a psychologist/therapist; a bachelor\'s degree can still lead to many roles (HR, administration, etc.).
Should you pursue a double major? Not necessary unless there is a strong, clear rationale; minors can suffice for broader exposure.
Is there a path to psychiatry from psychology? Psychiatry requires medical school; psychology is a common pre-med path, but the routes diverge after undergrad.
How important are research experiences for grad school? Generally very important for psychology PhD programs and competitive master's programs; internships and hands-on experiences help.

The goal is to bookmark and actively use these resources to guide your academic and career decisions throughout the program.
Build relationships with mentors early; these connections often directly impact grad school opportunities and letters of recommendation.