Psychology is one of the most popular undergraduate degrees – and it also happens to be one of the most employable.
Although it’s classified as a social science, Psychology degrees have elements of both science and the arts. This means that Psychology graduates tend to be good all-rounders who possess lots of valuable transferable skills; ranging from critical thinking to communication skills.
Psychology graduates have the obvious options of becoming a Psychologist or a Psychotherapist, but this is by no means the only career available to them. Given the wide range of skills graduates learn on a Psychology degree course, there are a huge number of graduate jobs they are well-suited to.
What can you do with a Psychology degree? We explore the key skills to put on your graduate CV and a few of your career options below.
Psychology is the scientific study of the mind and human behaviour. Very much grounded in science and scientific research, students of Psychology will also be required to conduct research, write long essays and articulate their points clearly, both verbally and in writing.
Because of this, a Psychology degree is a great foundation for both a scientific and a creative career. Like the other social sciences degrees, it teaches a variety of skills which Psychology graduates can apply to many different occupations, in a wide range of industries.
Many of the skills you’ll have learned on a Psychology degree are highly transferable, meaning that they can be utilised in a number of different graduate jobs. These include:
Just like on any graduate CV, you should showcase the different skills you have learned on your degree course. This is especially important if you don’t have a lot of work experience to include on your CV.
Below are some examples of what to include for each section of your graduate Psychology CV, that will highlight and showcase what you learned on your degree course.
A recent graduate of The University of Reading, with a BSc (Hons) degree in Psychology (achieved a 2.1). During my degree and on my placement year, I established a strong foundation in research, data analysis and critical thinking; I am now looking to develop my skills and knowledge in an analytical role within the medical sector.
The University of Reading
BSc Psychology with Professional Placement (2.1)
Research Intern (October 2018 – March 2019)
In my final year of university I helped a Clinical Psychologist write a book, involving heavy research, time management, organisation and academic writing skills.
Student Mentor (October 2018 – May 2019)
Throughout my final year of university I mentored 1st / 2nd year Psychology students, and helped them with their applications to placements and revision for exams.
Placement year, NHS Foundation Trust (September 2017 – June 2018)
During my placement year, I was able to work closely with an Assistant Psychologist, gaining invaluable experience of working professionally.
As a Psychology graduate, you’ll have lots of different graduate careers open to you. Here’s some of the best graduate jobs for Psychology graduates:
Both graduate marketing jobs and advertising jobs require you to get inside the head of a target audience. Understandably, Psychology graduates are in-demand in both marketing & advertising, because of their ability to provide valuable insights on human behaviour and human interaction. Graduate marketing jobs and advertising jobs will also often involve a lot of research and campaign analysis; all skills which will have been honed on a Psychology course.
To work in HR, exceptional people skills and an understanding of human interaction are absolutely necessary. HR roles tend to also require good organisational skills, empathy and communication, in order to resolve conflicts, liaise with employees and report back to senior stakeholders. The skills learned on a Psychology course are strikingly similar; and graduate employers will often value Psychology graduates particularly highly when looking to fill HR roles.
Read more about 7 careers in Human Resources here.
Psychology undergraduates will often possess good interpersonal and communication skills; making them a great match for graduate jobs in recruitment. They will also tend to have a good understanding of human behaviour, a key part of succeeding in recruitment. In fact, three of the Give A Grad A Go team – Claire Donaldson, Rachel Collins and Elise Bresler – are Psychology graduates themselves!
The same skill set that is important in recruitment jobs also applies to graduate sales jobs. For employers looking to hire sales candidates, the ability to understand other people and what they want is a highly valuable skill.
So, if you’re preparing for your sales job interview, remember to speak about how well your degree course equips you for this aspect of the job.
Considering a career in sales? Read more here.
For someone who has earned an undergraduate Psychology degree, research will have placed a huge part in their qualification. A graduate job as a Research Associate or Research Analyst may be a great choice for a Psychology graduate; and is necessary in every industry, from technology to medicine.
As well as the common Psychology careers listed above, other jobs you can do with a Psychology degree include:
Bear in mind that these are just some of the careers suited to a psychology graduate. With a Psychology qualification under your belt, you’ll be able to use the transferable skills learned on your degree in all types of graduate jobs.
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