What Can I Do With a Degree in Psychology

What Can I Do With a Degree in Psychology? Kay Nelson, Coordinator Internship and Career Center 206 South Hall kdnelson@ucdavis.edu Fall 2007 What Can I Do With a Degree in Psychology? Address: • How to get the most out of your undergraduate major • What can I do with my AB/BS, MS or PhD/PsyD degree? • Why and where can I do an internship – research vs counseling vs other? • Q&A How to Get the Most Out of Your Undergraduate Major • Obtain a copy of Department of Psychology’s “Undergraduate Program Guide” – Advising Office 141 Young or see psychology.ucdavis.edu and select undergrad, select information • Review “Planning for the Future” in “Career Paths in Psychology” – Advising Office 141 Young or see psychology.ucdavis.edu and select undergrad, select information OR “Career Planning Timeline” – pg. 3 Career Resource Manual from ICC How to Get the Most Out of Your Undergraduate Major • Do “Career Assessments” – skills, values, personality or interest inventories offered by ICC or take AMS 98 Career Class spring 08. See hand-out • Attend ICC programs – see Program of Events on line at icc.ucdavis.edu and select undergrad, select career resources • See a psychology department staff or student advisor (especially important junior year) 141 Young • Participate in internships or volunteer opportunities – a must! What can I do with my AB/BS, MS or PhD/PsyD degree? • See www.apa.org/students and select “Considering a Career in Psychology”, follow links for “What You Need To Know” Considering a Career in Psychology? Undergraduate Resources Getting into Graduate School The Graduate School Years Salary & employment surveys • Review “Career Paths in Psychology” – Advising Office 141 Young or see psychology.ucdavis.edu and select undergrad, select information AB/BS • < 5% of 1997/98 AB were employed in psychology or a related psychology field; 2/3 were in for-profit business settings, usually the sales/service sector Marketable skills with AB/BS: – good research and writing skills – good problem solvers – have well-developed, higher-level thinking ability (analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating information) – communication skills and ability to work in groups – understanding of human behavior • • Most find jobs in business (e.g., administrative support, human resources, public relations, advertising, sales – for profit and nonprofit), public affairs, education, service industries, health, the biological sciences, and computer programming. AB/BS Psychology related: residential, intake, classroom or family support counselor often in group homes or residential treatment facilities for children or youth AB vs BS • Equally acceptable for students interested in psychology grad school and medical school* (*add courses) • BS 90 units in natural science/math; no foreign language • AB requires a minor, mini-minor or 3 upper and lower division courses in art, music and/or drama AND 15 unit level in one foreign language; no natural science/math MS/MA • About ¼ of AB/BS continue to a graduate or professional degree; Master's degree programs generally require 1-2 years to complete • Psychology related: Counselor or psychologist (6 out of 10 have a master’s level) • MS or MA – school, community college, community, or rehabilitation counselor (may not need license); counseling or school psychologist (CA may need credential); marriage and family therapist (MFT) • MSW – Master’s degree in Social Work • Earn degree, then earn 3000 clinical hours; Must pass exam and become licensed for MFT, LCSW or psychotherapist • Most CSUs offer Master’s programs - less $ than other programs PhD/PsyD • PhD in Clinical Psychology or Counseling Psychology –; more research emphasis • PsyD or Psychology Doctorate – first awarded in 1960’s; emphasis on clinical practice (less on research) • 75% of Doctoral degrees are PhD and of these 40% are clinical psychologists (many self-employed); 35% at colleges/universities • Average time to earn a doctoral degree is approximately 5-6 years (after AB/BS); consider accredited programs by APA (doctoral programs in clinical, counseling, school, or a combination of these areas; no MS) and will need state licensure to practice Graduate School Info • Obtain a copy of Department of Psychology’s “Applying to Graduate School Guide” – Advising Office 141 Young or see psychology.ucdavis.edu and select undergrad, select information • See advisingservices.udavis.edu and select advising • Considerations: GPA, GRE scores, letters of recommendation, experience including undergrad internships and completed courses, statement of purpose and $ Which Career is Right for Me? • Take career assessments or AMS 98 Career Class Spring 08 through ICC – see handout and iccweb.ucdavis.edu/Career/Overview.htm • Identify job titles of interest • Conduct informational interviews – see ICC’s Career Resource Manual (pg 7) on “how to” • Attend ICC events, e.g., Career Speed Dating • Job shadow and do internships and/or volunteer – “Career Paths in Psychology” – Advising Office 141 Young or see psychology.ucdavis.edu and select undergrad, select information – 114 South Hall Career & Graduate Study Center – books! – www.bls.gov. Why Do an Internship(s) • Explore a career, meet a professional (network), gain experience/skills, get a reference. Experience is a must in addition to your degree • What is an internship? Has professional supervision and job duties. Typically 48 hours/wk. Can be paid/non-paid. May earn units (192). Transcript notation available through ICC How Do I Find an Internship? • Business: ICC’s Aggie Job Link aka AJL icc.ucdavis.edu • Community Service: ICC’s Human Corp humancorp.ucdavis.edu • Counseling: hand-out Advising Office 141 Young or ICC’s AJL or binder rm 223 S Hall; become an on-campus peer advisor • Hospital/clinical (pre-med/nursing/therapies): hbs.ucdavis.edu How Do I Find an Internship? • Research (a must for grad school application): Psychology department see psychology.ucdavis.edu and select undergrad, select information; other types of research AJL • Teaching/Tutor: K-12 binder rm 223 S Hall; AJL for tutoring (some teaching) • Self-develop: On/off campus. Talk with ICC how to do this – rm. 228 South Hall for referral. • Join one or more ICC list serve messaging – see icc.ucdavis.edu, select email list signup • Internship and Career Fairs sponsored by ICC Q&A You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself and direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the guy who’ll decide where to go. Oh, the Places You’ll Go! Dr. Suess, 1990