Psychology

Psychology degrees develop many of the transferable skills which all graduate employers require, for example: communication; numeracy; information technology; independent learning; and the ability to work in teams.  Over the course of your degree you develop a wide mix of subject-specific and technical skills, you should consider these skills developed on your course as well as through your other activities, such as paid work, volunteering, family responsibilities, sport, membership of societies, leadership roles, etc. Think about how these can be used as evidence of your skills and personal attributes. Then you can start to market and sell who you really are, identify what you may be lacking and consider how to improve your profile.

Working as a Project Manager (Social Care)

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Prospects

Psychology is one of the most popular degree subjects at university, yet only a small percentage of psychology graduates pursue options in professional psychology.

A 2010 HESA survey of 2009 graduates indicates that six months after graduation, just over 55% were in employment in the UK or overseas and another 10% were combining work and study. Psychology graduates entered into a wide range of jobs in a variety of sectors. Initially, around 30% of those employed went into non-graduate roles, such as clerical/secretarial positions, retail, catering or bar work.

Of those who entered graduate-level jobs, social and welfare occupations were the most popular with 16% of graduates entering this type of work. Around 7% went into management roles in various sectors. Almost 4% pursued work in business and finance professions. Other psychology graduates pursued options in: marketing; sales and advertising; the health professions; education; IT; arts, design, culture and sports; engineering; scientific research; and other unspecified occupations.

Where are the jobs?

The National Health Service (see NHS Careers), local councils, and multinational organisations are all major employers of psychology graduates. Most health-related professionals work in multidisciplinary teams throughout the country. Non health-related jobs can also be found in a variety of geographic areas.

Potential employment areas to investigate further:

• Health - explores both primary and secondary care roles in the health sector;
• Social care - investigates jobs which meet the needs of those coping with problems such as poverty, life crisis, and emotional ill health.

Jobs directly related to your degree

• Clinical psychologist
• Educational psychologist
• Forensic psychologist (prison and probation services)
• Further education lecturer or Higher education lecturer
• Health psychologist
• Occupational psychologist

Jobs where your degree would be useful

• Careers adviser/personal adviser
• Counsellor
• Human resources officer
• Psychotherapist
• Retail manager

Although some of the jobs listed here might not be first jobs for many graduates, they are among the many realistic possibilities with your degree, provided you can demonstrate you have the attributes employers are looking for. Bear in mind that it's not just your degree discipline that determines your options. Remember that many graduate vacancies don't specify particular degree disciplines, so don't restrict your thinking to the jobs listed here.

You can find more about the skills you develop during your course, the jobs listed above, plus case studies and where to find these jobs at Prospects.

Included with the permission of AGCAS. For the latest version of this publication, see www.prospects.ac.uk. For permission to reproduce, contact copyright@agcas.org.uk