Psychology is one of the most popular majors at many colleges and universities. During the study of psychological science students acquire a fundamental and flexible skill set that prepares them for real life situations.
Therefore, it is no surprise that a student majoring in psychology may successfully find employment in a wide range of careers that are not directly related to psychology. In fact, according to the American Psychological Association, only 5% of graduates with a bachelor’s degree in psychology are working in psychology or in an occupation related to psychology.
What are some of these fundamental and flexible skills?
- Students take courses on how people think and behave in various situations in ordinary as well as extreme cases.
- Students are exposed to the scientific method of data collection and analysis that has very practical application in many occupations.
- Students gain critical thinking skills by studying and applying various psychological paradigms and theories to problem-solving.
- Students hone written and oral communication skills through essays, group projects, and class participation.
Mastery of these skills make students very attractive to employers that are seeking broadly educated employees. A bachelor in psychology can be applied to jobs in almost every industry that involve influencing human behavior such as business, counseling, teaching, and social services.