Career Information for Psychology Majors

It is important to understand that employers hire people, not degrees. The skills and knowledge you develop as a result of your education, as well as in your work and community activities, have the greatest impact on hiring decisions. Listed below are some specific knowledge and transferable skills you will acquire as a result of your university education and your focus on Psychology. 

Specific Knowledge Skills
Valuable Transferable Skills
Some Career Options for Psychology Majors
Potential Employers
Websites


Specific Knowledge Skills

  • The ability to identify, interpret, understand and communicate to others key social, ethical and personal issues relevant to individuals, groups and society
  • The ability to accurately assess, evaluate, understand and interpret individual and group behaviour
  • Skills in organizing and leading groups and the ability to facilitate change and understanding
  • The ability to gather relevant information, anticipate needs and make appropriate recommendations
  • Knowledge of methodologies of data collection, statistical analysis and evaluation
    The ability to use scientific methods and tests to analyze, interpret and assess possible behaviours
  • Skills to critically evaluate and interpret theories and research and apply the results to solve problems
  • Skills to assess events and beliefs and develop responses/strategies to manage situations

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Valuable Transferable Skills

Information-gathering and Communication Skills

  • The skills required to identify and access a wide range of relevant information and resources
  • The ability to compile and organize facts and information and to comprehend and apply new and/or unfamiliar information to different situations and settings
  • Skills in preparing interesting, creative and informative presentations which target diverse audiences
  • The ability to develop effective reports, presentations and materials using current technology

Thinking, Planning and Organizational Skills

  • The ability to learn, understand and interpret information and apply knowledge to new situations
  • The ability to set priorities, meet deadlines and effectively plan/manage time, data and resources
  • Problem-solving skills and the ability to make well-reasoned decisions, think creatively and search for, identify and consider all sides of an issue
  • Skills to effectively analyze and interpret a wide range of information and data to discuss, support and/or reject ideas, opinions, reports, theories and proposals

Teamwork and Management Skills

  • Skills enabling you to work effectively as part of a team by identifying your role and contributing, through leading, teaching, motivating and/or encouraging others, to the success of the team
  • An understanding of how to successfully identify, plan and contribute to the goals of a project
  • The ability to oversee, supervise and/or contribute to a project from beginning to end including determining outcomes, planning details, making decisions, assigning roles and completing tasks

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Some Career Options for Psychology Majors

Social Policy Researcher
Community Relations
Human Resources
Counsellor/Therapist
Community Agency Director
Consumer Advocate
Corporate Trainer
School/Guidance Counsellor
Gerontologist
Community Worker/Advocate
Social Worker/Case Manager 
Psychologist
Career/Employment Counsellor
Marriage and Family Therapist
Mental Health Worker
Child/Youth Worker 
Urban Planner
Psychometrist
Program Co-ordinator/Manager
Teacher/Adult Educator
Insurance Agent
Market Research Analyst
Probation Officer
Public Affairs Consultant
Labour Relations/Mediator
Public Relations
Educational Consultant
Forensics/Law Enforcement
Advertising/Media Relations
ABA Therapist
Events Planner
Volunteer Co-ordinator
Public/Health Educator
Development Co-ordinator
Underwriter/Claims Adjuster
Fundraiser
Industrial-Organizational Psychologist
Management Consultant
Recreation Therapist
Seniors Program Co-ordinator
Disability Services Worker
Job Analyst
Bereavement Counsellor
Office Administrator
Public Policy Analyst
Occupational Therapist
Demographer/Statistician
Media Buyer
Immigration Officer
Sport Psychology Consultant
Journalist/Reporter/Critic
Project Co-ordinator
Child Life Specialist
Management Trainee
Rehabilitation Counsellor
Public Opinion Researcher
Public Administration
Human Resources
Victims Advocate
Criminologist
Residence Counsellor
Student Life Co-ordinator
Academic Advisor
Patient Care Co-ordinator
Group Facilitator
Lawyer/Paralegal

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Potential Employers

 

Non-Profit Organizations
Government
Counselling Agencies
Human Resources Departments
Educational Institutions
Research Organizations
Management Consulting Firms
Social Serivce Agencies
Hospitality Industry
Training/Development Firms
Public Relations Firms
Marketing/PR Firms

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Websites

 

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