Alternative Careers In Psychology
Starting Points Series
Psychology Graduates: Alternative Careers
Only 10% of psychology graduates pursue a career as a professional psychologist on graduation. If you are studying for a psychology degree and have decided against a career within psychology, you may be wondering what else you can do. You have plenty of options. Many graduate careers do not require specific degrees, in fact approximately 40% of all graduate vacancies are open to graduates of ANY discipline. A degree in psychology is highly regarded by employers and the skills gained provide you with an intellectual and practical preparation for employment.
What skills do I have?
By the end of a degree in psychology you will have acquired a good mix of subject specific, technical and transferable core skills:
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• The ability to work alone and as a member of a team
• Analysis and problem solving
• Ability to understand and manipulate quantitative and qualitative data.
• Logical and critical thinking
• Flexibility and adaptability
• Independent judgement
• The ability to listen and learn from others
• Enquiry and research skills
• Excellent social skills
• Competence in using IT
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Career Development Centre
http://careers.ulster.ac.uk
September 2008
Employers particularly value:
• Clear and concise writing
• Effective communication
• Presentation skills
• ‘Stretched’ intellectual abilities
• The ability to think on your feet
Employment Options
Each year statistics are collected to show what Higher Education students do six months after graduation. Of the 2006/07 cohort of Psychology graduates in the UK 61% went into full time employment, 10% were working and studying, 15% went into full-time further study for a higher degree, 6% were unemployed and the other 8% took time out to do various things like travel, voluntary work etc. Whilst many...
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