Bachelors Degree in Psychology

lemasted · July 2011

Does anyone else have a Bachelors degree in Psychology? I received mine in December, and am still currently working at my college job- Smoothie King. I am a supervisor and the lead/only trainer and list myself as such on my resume but I feel like I am not getting professional jobs because of it.

I guess my question is what kinds of jobs did you apply for and/or got once you graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology? TIA!

bekah791 · July 2011

My husband has a bachelor's degree in Psychology and is currently employed as a behavior technician.

http://www.ehow.com/facts_5898468_job-description-behavior-technician.html

Good luck!

HappyMrsK · July 2011

I got a BS in psychology way back in the 90's. I have worked mostly for non-profits doing case management working with children and families. I went back to school a few years ago and got a Master's degree in social work and have had terrible luck finding a job I want. I did find a job doing case management again earlier this year. I'm working with the elderly now and I actually like it much better than working with families and kids. The economy still sucks and a lot of agencies are facing cuts in funding so it can be tough finding a job depending on where you live.

If you like working with people, you can look for jobs in social services. I think you can also find some entry level human resources jobs too with a bachelor's in psychology.

You may also want to start volunteering at an agency to help boost your resume since you just graduated. You never know, it might lead to a job.

Good luck!

paula4596 · July 2011

I was also going to suggest a psych tech job. Look for postings at your hospital, but even if nothing is posted, call the unit, ask for the clinical manager, and ask if they have any PRN (as needed) positions. PRN is a great way to get your foot in the door and be considered an internal employee if they do get a full-time opening.

mrssmw · July 2011

I have a Bachelor's Degree in Psych I graduated in 2006 and I'm still at the same job I had when I was in college ( I do precert for aetna). I got part time jobs doing case/disease management. I applied to local hospitals, health insurance companies, certain companies have EAP programs needing mental health techs and gov't positions (medicaid, medicare, etc). You should try volunteering thats how I got my first part time job doing disease management at a mental health hosp. The reason I stayed at my job because the pay is higher. You can apply to aetna I know they have telework positions in that area they only require that you have dsl connection and they supply you with a phone and computer.

erbear · July 2011

I teach 8th grade history. I have an undergrad degree in Behavioral Neuroscience. World's most useless major...

HitchtedIn2006 · July 2011

Non-profit social service/human service work.

We hire volunteers for FT positions at the agency I am at. They have already taken the state training and can start immediately, unlike a "new" hire, who might be 45 days or so before we get them onsite. Supervisors don't like to wait 6 weeks and fill coverage in that time.

AndysKandi · July 2011

I graduated in May 2005 with my BS in Applied Psych. At the time, I had already been working as a behavioral tech with a non-profit.I ended up continuing to work there for the next 4 years because I couldn't find much that payed any better than what I was already working for. The only place I ever saw anything decent come up was at a hospital, and I did get an interview with them once - but didn't get the job and I am pretty sure the competition was pretty fierce.

In 2009 I quit my job with the non-profit because I had since had 2 kids, and the weekends and shift work was putting a huge stress on my family. I found a job at a very large well known insurance company, processing Flexible Spending Account claims. I am still in that job now - so I am getting basically no use out of my degree. On the plus side, I am on the verge of a promotion which would include a 10-15k raise, so I guess it worked itself out. Sometimes when one door closes, another one opens :-)

My story is just my own experience in my own local area. I know others I graduated with are in the same boat. Hopefully you have better luck. I still throw around the idea of going back for a Master's degree (not necessarily in Psych or even Social Work....the job market for those is still just not there).

Maybride2 · July 2011

Unfortunately, a BS in psychology doesn't get you very far. Even when I was an undergrad in the late 90s/early 00s, my college advisors told me that if I truly wanted to major in psychology, I'd need to get at least a Masters degree for it to "do" anything for me career-wise. I imagine that the economy has only made this more true, as everyone has at least a Bachelors now. I'm surprised that no one at your school prepared you for this.

I agree with the above advice to look into volunteering. Contact your county's DHS, call local non-profits, call your local hospitals.

BlondeMoment123 · July 2011

I have a BS in Psychology and work in property management. My original goal was to get my Masters in something related (ABA therapy), but stuff happens lol.

A BS won't get you very far these days. I'd start applying to grad schools.

HilaryH1231 · July 2011

I have a BA in Psychology. I went right from undergrad to grad school and got my Masters in Psychological Counseling. I"m now an LMHC, and for the last two years, I did case management with mentally ill adults. I'm now looking for a new job, with a different population. I feel like Psychology is one of those "can be applied in many different ways" majors. Anything that deals with people/interpersonal relationships is what first comes to mind for me, if you don't want to do something research or clinical/therapy based.

nov05OHbride · July 2011

I too have a psych degree, however, I went into pharmaceutical sales. SO, some type of sales could be an option since having a psych degree only gets you so far if you don't have your masters. Good luck!

katarczyna · July 2011

I have my BA in Psych and the work I do is in Industrial/Organizational Psychology. Most people I work with have their MA or PhD (some PsyDs) in I/O Psych.

saralynn7 · July 2011

I didn't end up with my BA in Psych but it was a related field and I know the job market for anyone with a BA in those two areas was very limited. I ended up starting grad school right after my BA for my MA in Mental Health Counseling and just graduated with a job fairly quickly as a therapist. I'd definitely encourage you to go on for a Master's degree. I'm even considering a PsyD in the near future.

cville-rn · July 2011

I graduated with a BS in Psychology in 2004. I went to nursing school after and am now an RN - not in psych

I always knew I was going to go to nursing school though.

I agree with PP's, you really need a Masters in psych to do much with it.

monkeygrl · July 2011

I graduated with a bs in psych in the early 1990's and yes it was difficult to find a job. I worked in a women's health center and then as a case manager in child welfare. I loved both jobs so I returned to school and got my MSW. Since then I have worked as a therapist and administrator in a residential treatment center and now I'm a social worker in a school system. I love what I do and I have not had issues finding work but I worked while I attended grad school and working in child welfare was great for making connections. I do not agree with the poster who suggests getting into grad school....I think in this field it's important to get out there and see if you really enjoy this kind of work before you invest in grad school. Good luck and let me know if you have any other questions.Heather

melpfaff · July 2011

I was a double psych/human services major but now have my MSW. Jobs with a bachelor's in psychology could be:

group home direct care staff or case manager (children or adults)

research assistant

agency case management

direct care at psych hospital

youth support worker

volunteer coordinator (nursing home, hospice)

What is your area of interest, if any? It may be a good idea to try one out to see if you like a particular setting or population. Some jobs pay for you to get your Master's. I

CrystalD528 · July 2011

You might try looking for a local domestic violence responder or something along those lines. In my area, they seem to be looking for volunteers or part-time help (that doesn't pay very well). I had a friend who was a pysch major and did this during college. They trained her with a manual on how to respond to calls and she was on-call several nights per month. This type of volunteer/part-time work might help you get some experience that looks more relevant on your resume than your current position.

snansley · August 2011

I was also told that I would need at minimum a master's degree to really do much advanced work in the field. I got my BS in Psych. Then I promptly went to law school.

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