Nationwide, nine out of ten people who graduate with a BA in Psychology don't go to graduate school in psychology. If you want a career as a psychologist you must go to graduate school. However, psychology BA graduates, like other liberal arts graduates, may find employment in many types of jobs after graduation. Many people, including your parents and your professors, may not be familiar with BA level career options. There are many things you should have learned at ECU that will help you find a job after graduation. You may have to search more diligently or relocate to find a job, but your psychology degree is not worthless. I put this page together to help my advisees and other psychology undergraduates with career decision making.

Careers with a BA degree are generally in one of three broad areas: Human Services, Business/Industry, and Research. Human Services positions may allow you to work directly with people in a structured therapeutic setting, usually under the supervision of others with more education and experience. While positions are likely to increase in the future, salaries and opportunities for advancement tend to be limited. You can move up into administrative and managerial positions in some agencies, which will increase your salary. When you are looking for these positions you will rarely find them listed as psychologist or under psychology. Try the position names listed in the box above. Potential employers that include state and local mental health services, mental retardation and developmental disabilities services, substance abuse programs, departments of social services, retirement centers, crisis intervention programs, shelters, and social services organizations. The state job service and governmental employment center may be helpful

In the Business area psychology majors may hold positions that assist others in the performance of a psychology related field (such as training or personnel). You may find positions in management training programs which are typically offered by larger corporations and can lead to management positions. The job with the most independence and highest potential earnings is in sales. Remember, managers and salespeople are people who use an understanding of people (psychology!) everyday to do their jobs. Potential employers include state and local government, banks, finance and insurance agencies, manufacturing, service agencies, and temporary employment agencies.

In research related areas you can apply what you have learned about research, such as observation, data collection, library research, and statistical analysis. These positions are available in private, corporate or governmental agencies whose major goal is research. You might become a research assistant or market interviewer you can put your skills to work under the supervision of a more senior researcher.

There are two types of skills that apply to jobs. The first type of skills include those that are general skills that are transferable to a number of jobs. Your undergraduate training should have lead you to develop many transferrable skills. You should have developed a tolerance for the diversity of people, and you learned that human behavior is more complex than most people think. You can solve problems by researching information, making observations, and analyzing information using the scientific method. You are able to synthesize information and communicate well, both orally or in writing. Hopefully you have become comfortable using computers for common activities, such as word processing spreadsheets and searching the Internet. Specific job skills are those skills that are specific to particular jobs, such as counseling skills or office management skills. These skills and related knowledge are usually gained through practical work or volunteer experiences, supplemented by carefully selected coursework. Add to both of these types of skills evidence of personal characteristics that all employers look for, such as good work habits, dependability, leadership, and the ability to get along well with others.

Do your best in school. Grades are an important measure of how hard you work and how well you can set and reach goals. Start early with good grades.

Pick major courses and electives that will support your choice of employment. Examples include:

Mental Health/Human Services/Developmental Disabilities: Abnormal, Personality, Psychological Testing, Educational, Exceptional Child, Developmental, Contingency Management, Introduction to Programming for Mentally Retarded, Gerontology, Directed Readings in the area you are interested in, and Field Experiences.

Business/Industry/Sales: Social, Personality, Industrial and Personnel, Human Measurement, Organizational Behavior, Directed Readings in the area you are interested in, and Field Experiences.

Research related: Psychological Testing, Human Measurement, Psychological Research I & II; Laboratory Methods in Physiological Psychology; Behavioral Pharmacology; Directed Readings in areas that you are interested in, and Field Experiences.

Choose a minor that supports your job interests. This can include an existing minor or a you can construct a composite minor that more closely fits your job aspirations. Examples include: Mental Health/Human Services/Developmental Disabilities: Alcohol and Drug Studies (Rehabilitation); Child Development and Family Relations; Community Health; Gerontology; and Recreation and Leisure Studies.

Business/Industry/Sales: Business Administration; Communications; International Studies; Foreign Language; Computer Science (Math); Hospitality Management; or Merchandising.

Research Related: Math; Statistics; Any of the Physical Sciences; Composite Sciences; Composite Marketing/Communications; Technical Writing (English); Environmental Health; Computer Science (Math); Information Processing; and Urban/Regional Planning.

Consider the Co-Op Program. This allows you to alternate semesters of academics with full- time work. While it increases the time needed to complete your degree, the program offers you the advantage of having extensive work experience and making money. Get involved in volunteer or paid activities that provide you with work experience. This will help you get experience working with people, develop skills specific to the job you want later, and good employment references for your future job hunt. This is also one way to provide evidence that you have the qualities that make a good employee (you work hard, are responsible, communicate well, and work well with others.)

Find three or four persons to write you good letters of reference. This includes people who supervised your volunteer or paid work experience as well as professors. Try for a balance of academic and employment related references. Good letters of recommendation are specific, focus on your knowledge, skills and abilities, and will emphasize your fit for a particular job. The letters should be written by someone who knows you well, so be sure to get to know your professors, and let them get to know you (and how well you can perform by doing well in their class!)

Use ECU Career Services. Register no later than your junior year and attend as many career workshops as you can. You will get expert help with job search, resume preparation, and interviewing skills from Career Services. Your resume will also be reviewed when companies come to campus to interview for jobs, you get access to listings of employers as they visit campus and job openings listings as they come in.

Go to Career Day programs put on by Career Services or professional groups off campus. Typically Career Services sponsors Health Careers Day, Human Services Careers Day, and Business Careers Day. Go to every Career Day and talk with recruiters, even if you aren't sure you want to work in their area or field. Find out what jobs are open, and what qualifications employers are looking for. Get copies of applications and keep the name of the recruiter. It is never too early to start looking at what is open and what qualifications employers are looking for.

Talk with people who work in jobs that you might like to do. Most people are delighted to tell you about their jobs if you call and make an appointment. Find out what they do, what skills they use, and what the job market is like.

Use all of your resources. Network--use contacts through Alumni Services, people your friends and family know, and your professors to find out information about jobs and job openings. This is how people find out about jobs that are open in the real world!

Come and talk to me about careers early in your time at ECU. As your advisor I can help you clarify your career goals, tailor your coursework to your career goals, and locate other resources to help you. My office is in 112 Rawl, and you can make an appointment by calling 328-4170. You can also E-mail me your questions or request for an appointment (I check my E-mail regularly).

BOOKS

INTERNET SITES

There are lots of potentially helpful sites to retrieve career information over the internet. These are some places that have useful information and can give you links to other sources. You can find listings of jobs and even put your resume on an electronic employment section. Remember that things on the internet change frequently. Also keep in mind that not everything on the internet is necessarily accurate or above board. So look for reputable sites and check out the information you get.

ECU Career Services Home Page. Lots of information on Career Services, upcoming workshops, interviews, jobs, and career information. Links to other career related sites. Highly recommended.

Employment Guide.com Job listings, career information and information on employers.

JobWeb Information on career planning and job hunting, job listings, and infomation on potential employers. It is set up with college students and recent graduates in mind.

Have a career or advising question? Why not click here  and e-mail it to me!

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