What Can You Do With A Psychology Degree?

[Kinguk]

My friend, a single mama, is living with her parents, going to school...and working 5 mornings per week at U-HAUL making $10 an hour. The only thing she likes about it is the hours.

She has a degree in psychology so I'm sure there is something much better for her out there for her...I just don't know what. Any ideas of jobs, specific to her degree that are parttime? Thanks

[Rosehip]

Why only p/t? It's hard to get started in professional or white collar jobs if you only want p/t. People with a psych degree could certainly start in corporate marketing, public relations, etc.

[annethcz]

I have a BS in psychology, and honestly I don't think it's a very useful degree. Sure, it can get your foot in the door for an entry-level position. But without experience in a specific field, bachelor's degree in psych isn't going to get you very far. I do have a friend who is currently pursuing a degree in psych with the plans to start a business as a life coach. I also know others with bachelors in psych who work in chemical dependency programs or in programs for people with developmental disabilities. In order to practice as a psychologist or counselor, most states require a masters or PhD.

After staying home with my kids for about 10 years, I used my psych degree to get a job as a preschool teacher in a public school. When I was offered the job, I was given the choice between working full time or part time. I chose to work part time, and it's working out fabulously for me.

[Freud]

A B.S. or B.A. in psychology can get you a job as a mental health technician in psych hospitals or residential homes (for children or adults).

[zebra15]

Well that depends what type of degree... is it an AA, bachelors, masters etc... what type of experience does she have?

In this employment market is really up to the potential employee to sell themselves. To work in the psych field a person really needs an advanced degree but a psych degree can be a pathway to many other things...

[Kinguk]

She doesn't necessarily want to get into the field but rather just needs a good, solid job that will get her through the next couple of years while she finishes her program at school. She is taking her Early Childhood Education and will be doing childcare from home later on.

I was thinking there might be work for her with a non-profit organization or perhaps a government job of some sort that pays well. I dunno...I'm going to drag her into the employment office and see what we can find.

She has only been on her own for a few months now and hadn't been expecting to have work so soon. It's important to her to eventually work from home but for now minimal hours are important for her.

I don't know the type of degree...she was in school for four years...I don't know the degree lingo

[meemee]

Originally Posted by Kinguk

I was thinking there might be work for her with a non-profit organization or perhaps a government job of some sort that pays well. I dunno...I'm going to drag her into the employment office and see what we can find.

for those kind of jobs any degree is ok. not specifically in psychology.

however she would be indeed lucky to find something that pays well and is part time.

i am a single mom myself. i tried going down that route some years ago. got me nowhere. i however did NOT want a govt job and deal with all teh stress.

she needs flexibility. childcare. what if her child falls sick. many non profit agencies and govt. jobs are not willing to be taht flexible. presently UHAUL might work for her if they give her the flexibility she desires.

good luck!!!!!

[marilynmama]

I'm an RN and I work in psych.

All our mental health tech's have bachelors and masters in psych (and they don't get paid well at ALL), but they do love their job. So she could look at a pysch hospital, Im sure there would be something working directly with patients.

But working at UHaul doesn't sound so bad either honestly, especially if she is happy doing that. Where I work it can be stressful and violent (as is psych) and they pay isn't going to be much more than what she is making now I bet.

[kcparker]

She could probably get a job in a group home that would be part time. If she's okay dealing with developmentally disabled people and/or kids with abuse/trauma histories who have been removed from their homes, those kind of jobs around here pay $10-15/hour, and the hours are pretty varied. I have a friend who just does overnights, for example.

She can also make a list of all her "transferrable skills" - does she have experience with database management, accounts payable/receivable, supervising other employees. Thinking about her skill set and how it could apply to a variety of other jobs might also give you ideas beyond just using the psych. degree. Also, she should be able to go back to her alma mater and see a career counselor and/or access their job search database. Sometimes school connections are a great way to network and find jobs you wouldn't have known about before. She could also post a resume (FWIW) on moster.com or another job website.

[punkrockmomma]

Couldn't she work in a day care? Since that's what she wants to do in the future. I know in WI, you can work in a day care without a license as long as you are enrolled in the classes to get licensed.

Or I know my sister who has her undergraduate degree in psych. is a mental health case manager. I'm not sure if you can do that part time or not though, she works full time. I know the agency she works for does have part time positions, doing what I'm not sure. Or what about working with autistic kids? I know my sister did that too. I know there doesn't seem to be much out there. My sister is currently working on her PHD in psych, so she can make better money.

[prothyraia]

I have a BA in psychology. Can't do a darn thing with it. (there's always residential treatment, but around here you don't even need a college degree of any kind to do that, and it's haaaaard work for crap pay).

So I'm going to nursing school so I can pay off my student loans from my first degree.

[delfin]

maybe i'm naive, because i'm from buenos aires, one of the most psychoanalized cities...everybody goes to a psychologist here! Like, once a week.
Is there no demand in the US for this?couldn't she work as a clinical psychologist? I know there are many counselors there, but no analists?

[Freud]

In order to practice clinical psychology, one would need a doctorate in this country (in some states, one could become licensed at the master's level, but usually after 5 years of supervised experience).

Also, analysis is alive and well here, but it takes about 4-8 years of extra training after the doctorate (or masters). I'm in a unique position in which I am taking the first year's coursework to become a psychoanalyst, but don't yet have my doctorate, although I will in less than a year. This is rare though, and most analysts begin later in their career.

[sugarmoon]

IME (that's the degree I have) a whole bunch of things, but not much that pays well at all, and most are pretty stressful.

I have been...a paraeducator (teacher's aide), special ed teacher with a temporary license, group home houseparent, adoption case manager, child abuse prevention educator, camp director, child care center staff/director etc. The most I've made was about 14-15/hour. BUT non-profits (esp those working advocating for kids) are a bit more family friendly/flexible in general. I've been able to work from home sometimes, bring my littlest to work with me as needed. I even had one job where I got paid mileage from my home to my office.

So it is worth at least investigating, esp the daycare/school settings -- she could at least get some relevant work experience/networking towards what she wants to do, ultimately.

[sparklett]

My friend has a B.S. in psychology. By day, he's a drug and alcohol counselor. By night, he's a bartender. He says it's job security.

My cousin has a psychology degree. She works at Disneyland as a costume fitter and sells mineral water on the side.