Department of psychology

Careers in Psychology

Or, is there work life beyond a bachelor's degree in Psychology?

Earning a Bachelor's degree in Psychology at Kent State involves the development of a diverse set of skills. Critical thinking about real world problems. An appreciation of the scientific method. Development of written communication skills. An understanding of basic research methods and data analysis. Knowledge regarding the strengths and limitations of our cognitive capacities. An awareness of the important role of human motivation in life success. Insight into the causes and amelioration of distress and mental illness. An appreciation of how both biological processes and life experience impact the individual.

Because of the broad training it affords, a Bachelor's degree in Psychology can be used as a starting point for several different careers. Some psychology majors pursue graduate study in psychology or related fields (see the Graduate Study in Psychology page). Most psychology majors, however, seek employment upon graduation. Psychology majors commonly seek employment with government or social service agencies, in the medical field (e.g, hospitals, research labs), or in business (e.g., personnel, sales). KSU has complied a summmary of career options. Below are links to the American Psychological Association and other web sites that provide additional information about career options with a Psychology major and/or job listings.

We encourage you to contact the Career Services Center (CSC) on campus (MSC 261, 672-2360), or visit their web site here for more information about careers and job opportunities. They have many free services for KSU students and graduates. Through CSC you can talk to a career counselor, receive tips on how to write a resume and interview for a job, and learn job search tips. They can also provide information on career fairs and other resources for finding available jobs.

Where can I learn more about careers in Psychology?

Careers in Psychology, maintained by John Nichols, M.A., contains more information about psychology careers.

APA Careers in Psychology webpage discusses what careers graduates with doctorate, masters, or bachelor's degrees often pursue. Also has information about what psychologists do and subfields in psychology. This page has information on careers for scientific psychologist that are not in an academic setting. There is also a page where you can post your resume and search job listings in psychology.

Psych Web Careers Link, by Dr. Margaret Lloyd, has additional information specific to career opportunities in psychology.

Monster.com is one of the best job listing/resume posting sites around.

College Grad.com also allows you to post your resume and search for job listings.

Riley Guide.com is a job search engine that allows you to search based on a specific discipline. For example, you can search for jobs specifically in the humanities, social sciences, and personal services.

US Dept of Labor provides general information about a career in psychology, including the various types of training involved, job outlook, and potential earnings.