Not sure what to study after high school? Consider a bachelor’s degree in Psychology to gain insight into human behavior, emotion, and decision-making, creating a career-ready foundation that translates across a wide range of fields.
Why choose a bachelor’s degree in Psychology
If you’re wondering, “What can I do with a bachelor’s in Psychology?,” you may be surprised to learn that a majority of graduates find successful roles in various fields outside of traditional psychology. In fact, according to the American Psychological Association (APA), only 14% of psychology bachelor’s degree holders go on to pursue advanced degrees in psychology, meaning the majority of graduates build successful careers in a variety of other fields.
There are a large number of career paths and high-paying jobs available with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology outside of a traditional clinical role. Depending on your skills and interests, a BS in Psychology could prepare you for careers in business, education, law enforcement, or even STEM fields.
Overview of the psychology field
So, what is psychology? Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. It encompasses many other fields, including human development, sports, health, clinical, social behavior, and cognitive processes. Because it touches so many aspects of everyday life, psychology is a very diverse field, allowing graduates to apply their knowledge in various industries, making a bachelor’s in Psychology a versatile and valuable degree in today’s job market.
What jobs can you get with a bachelor’s in Psychology?
Let’s dive into the highest-paying jobs you can get with a bachelor’s in Psychology.
1. School faculty
A bachelor’s degree in Psychology can open doors to careers in a variety of school settings, from infant centers to community colleges, by giving you the skills to understand student behavior, support learning, and connect with students of all ages. Preschool teachers, for example, guide infants and toddlers through the early stages of development, processing and naming their emotions. At the same time, career counselors at high schools assist teenagers in planning and preparing for life after graduation.
Educational career paths involve connecting with students, examining human behaviors, assessing student progress, and helping find positive means of learning — all skills that are fundamental to psychology. As a result, a bachelor’s in Psychology can serve as a great stepping stone into education — providing the skills and knowledge needed to make a meaningful difference in students’ lives, and positioning graduates for a master’s in Education down the line.
2. Caseworker
If you’re passionate about helping people, consider becoming a caseworker. A BS in Psychology offers the scientific background needed for positions within the social work system. Caseworkers advocate for individuals facing specific challenges. They aim to provide resources such as childcare, healthcare, and shelter. Case workers may also respond to crisis situations, provide psychotherapy services, and simply offer support to those in need. If you want to make a difference with your Psychology degree, a career in casework may be for you.
3. Market research analyst
Perhaps you’re more business-minded. Market research analysts study industry conditions, market position, and consumer sentiment to drive company decisions regarding the placement of goods and services in the marketplace. They conduct interviews and have expertise in analyzing data that allows them to understand what types of goods and services customers want and what prices they may be willing to pay.
A BS in Psychology provides unique insight into consumer behavior, making it a valuable asset in this career. If you are interested in business alongside your Psychology degree, this might be the perfect job for you.
4. Human resources manager
Median annual salary: $140,030
Human resources (HR) managers are responsible for directing administrative functions within an organization such as a business, school, hospital, nonprofit, or government office. They often screen applicants for open jobs and inform employees of administrative policies and decisions. Plus, they are responsible for choosing and administering benefits like health insurance and retirement plans.
HR managers work directly with employees and job applicants. Thus, a keen understanding of interpersonal communications and human behavior, provided by a bachelor’s in Psychology, is crucial.
5. Training and development manager
Median annual salary: $127,090
Training and development managers create and lead programs that teach employees new skills and improve workplace performance. They evaluate training needs, implement solutions, and measure results to ensure teams grow effectively. In this role, bachelor’s of Psychology graduates can apply knowledge of human behavior to design training that engages and supports learning, bringing analytical and interpersonal skills that help employees develop and succeed in their roles.
6. Technical writer
Technical writers create documentation that helps people understand and use products, technology, or services, from instruction manuals to online guides and FAQs. They collaborate with technical experts like engineers and developers to gather information and present it in formats that support learning and use. Bachelor’s in Psychology graduates are a natural fit for this job because they’ve studied how people think, learn, and process information, which helps them make complicated topics easy to understand for any audience.
7. Marketing manager
Median annual salary: $159,660
One of the highest-paying jobs available with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology is a marketing manager.
Marketing managers oversee marketing programs, identify potential customers, and develop strategies that help a company or organization grow market share and meet business goals. They partner with sales, product, and advertising teams to ensure marketing efforts align with brand values and customer needs.
Marketing managers must understand what drives people in their decision-making. Because psychology is the study of human behavior, marketing managers with a Psychology degree will be uniquely positioned when developing campaigns that connect with customers.
8. Computer programmer
Perhaps the most technical role on this list, computer programmers are responsible for writing the complicated code that tells computers, internet browsers, and other devices how to perform tasks. These individuals write, test, implement, and maintain the code that keeps applications and programs to running smoothly.
While this career requires strong technical skills, computer programmers with a bachelor’s in Psychology can bring a human-centered perspective to their work, allowing them to design programs and applications that are intuitive, user-friendly, and more engaging.
9. Fundraiser
Fundraisers are responsible for securing donations to organizations, such as nonprofits, political campaigns, or hospitals. They do this by organizing events, producing promotional materials, and building relationships with individual donors. Since the money they raise comes from a variety of sources, fundraisers must be able to shift their approach depending on the situation.
Understanding the nature behind human decision-making with a degree in Psychology is extremely helpful to a fundraiser and their strong communication and relationship-building skills help them connect with supporters to secure funding effectively.
10. Public relations manager
Median annual salary: $132,870
Public relations (PR) managers are responsible for communicating an organization’s mission and values to the general public. Duties include distributing press releases on behalf of the organization, answering questions from the media, and advising the organization on how to manage particular sensitive or high-profile issues. Psychology bachelor’s degree holders are well prepared for this role because they study how people think and respond to information, which helps them craft messages that resonate and build trust.
What can I do with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology?
As you can see, a wide variety of high-paying jobs await you when you obtain a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. When pursuing your BS in Psychology, you can begin to think outside the box when dreaming about your future career.
In addition to the ten jobs we listed above, you can explore careers in industries like:
- Accounting and Finance
- Advertising
- Healthcare
- Human Resources
- Management and Administration
- Retail
- Sales
- Social Work
Skills and qualifications needed
Let’s go over some skills that will make you even more valuable in the job market:
- Interpersonal skills. Understanding and working well with others is essential in many psychology-related careers.
- Analytical skills. The ability to analyze data, behaviors, and situations is vital in fields like market research and casework.
- Communication skills. Clear and effective communication is crucial across many roles, especially for technical writing and public relations positions.
- Problem-solving skills. Employing critical thinking to solve complex problems is valuable in HR management and computer programming careers.
Advantages of a psychology degree in the job market
Having a wide range of job opportunities is not the only advantage. Let’s see what else a bachelor’s in Psychology has to offer.
A BS in Psychology develops critical thinking, research, and data analysis skills. You’ll learn about human behavior, cognition, and emotion, building strong communication and interpersonal abilities.
Depending on your focus, you might specialize in cognitive, developmental, or social psychology. These skills are highly transferable, making psychology graduates versatile in various careers.
As businesses increasingly recognize the value of understanding human behavior, the demand for psychology graduates grows. Plus, a degree in Psychology provides numerous opportunities to connect with professionals across various industries.
How to become a psychologist
A bachelor’s degree in Psychology can be the first step toward becoming a psychologist. The path, however, involves further education, such as a master’s and doctoral degree, followed by licensure and specialized training.
Tips for starting a career with a bachelor’s in Psychology
Starting a career with a bachelor’s in Psychology involves exploring diverse career options, gaining practical experience through internships, and considering further education if necessary. Take advantage of your university’s career resources, attend networking panels, or reach out to a Psychology graduate to learn more about their path.
Learn more about how to pursue these jobs with a bachelor’s in Psychology with University of Bridgeport’s in-person and online programs. We look forward to helping you achieve your degree and dream job!