Psychology : Job options

Jobs directly related to your degree

• Clinical psychologist - uses psychology to reduce mental distress in overcoming psychological difficulties. The role involves developing evidence-based practice and conducting research.
• Educational psychologist - uses psychology to identify and support children or young people who are experiencing problems within an educational setting, with the aim of enhancing their learning. 
• Further education lecturer or higher education lecturer - teaches psychology in colleges and higher education institutions, mainly to people over 16. Higher education lecturers also perform significant amounts of research in their specialist area.
• Occupational psychologist - applies psychology to solve organisational problems including recruitment, selection and assessment, training, work design and dealing with change.
• Sport and exercise psychologist - uses psychological principles either as a sport psychologist with elite athletes to improve performance or as an exercise psychologist working with the public to increase participation in exercise.

Jobs where your degree would be useful

• Psychotherapist - works with individuals or small groups to treat mental or physical disorders through a process of psychological treatment. Often a specialism of other roles such as social work, medicine, or clinical psychology.
• Counsellor - works with individuals, couples or small groups to help people problem solve and cope with difficulties or distressing incidents, e.g. rape counselling.
• Careers adviser/personal adviser - works with young people or adults providing information, advice and guidance, either individually or through groupwork.
• Human resources officer - advises on and implements policies relating to the use of human resources including employee planning, recruitment, training and welfare.
• Retail manager - responsible for the day-to-day management of a department or store: managing staff; implementing policies and procedures; and ensuring sales targets are met.

Other options

It is common for psychology graduates to enter a range of ‘stepping stone’ jobs following graduation. Aspirant clinical psychologists will look for posts as assistant psychologists in NHS trusts along with lower-level jobs such as care worker. Those who wish to enter forensic psychology traditionally look for work in forensic settings such as the probation service. Due to competition in psychology, work experience and voluntary work prior to graduation are increasingly vital and increase your chances of success in this career field. Depending on your career aims, it may also be helpful to join the British Psychological Society (BPS) , since membership with the society offers useful networking opportunities and information about continued professional development.

Psychology graduates are often eligible to apply for management training schemes, pursuing a diverse choice of career. Again, work or volunteering experience will be helpful, if not essential. Depending on your preferred path it may be worthwhile undertaking some further vocational study in order to increase your chances of being appointed.

Although some of the jobs listed here might not be first jobs for many graduates, they are among the many realistic possibilities with your degree, provided you can demonstrate you have the attributes employers are looking for. Bear in mind that it’s not just your degree discipline that determines your options. Remember that many graduate vacancies don't specify particular degree disciplines, so don't restrict your thinking to the jobs listed here. Look at your degree... what next? for informed advice on career planning and graduate employment, or login/register with My Prospects to find out what jobs would suit you, a helpful starting point for self-analysis.

Explore types of jobs to find out more about the above options and related jobs.