What Next After
Studying Psychology?

As a psychology graduate, you will be faced with a multitude of options, all of which could lead to fulfilling employment and chances for personal growth. The question "what next?" is an exciting one, regardless of whether you've just finished your advanced psychology studies or received your bachelor's degree. This is a guide to help you explore the many alternatives available to you.

Further Education

For many psychology students, further specialisation through advanced degrees is a natural next step. Here are a few paths:

Master’s Degrees
Clinical Psychology: Prepares you for licensure as a clinical psychologist, focusing on diagnosing and treating mental illness.
Counseling Psychology: Focuses on facilitating personal and interpersonal functioning across the lifespan with an emphasis on emotional, social, vocational, educational, health-related, developmental, and organisational concerns.
Industrial-Organisational Psychology: Enhances your ability to apply psychology principles to human resources, staff training, marketing and sales, and organisational development.

Doctoral Degrees
Ph.D. in Psychology: Often focuses on research and teaching at the university level or conducting detailed studies in various psychology subfields.
Psy.D. (Doctor of Psychology): Emphasises clinical practice and less on research compared to a Ph.D.

Professional Certification and Licensing

It is necessary to obtain a license in order to practice clinical psychology or counselling, which usually calls for a PhD, an internship, or other prerequisites. A certification in a variety of fields, such as neuropsychology, forensic psychology, or school psychology, can improve your credentials and lead to more specialised employment options.

Career Paths With a Bachelor’s in Psychology

If further study isn’t your current plan, a bachelor’s degree still offers valuable opportunities:
Human Resources: Your knowledge of human behaviour and motivation can make you an excellent fit for recruiting, training, and employee development.
Market Research Analyst: Analysing consumer behaviour to help businesses understand what products people want, who will buy them, and at what price.
Case Management: Working in social services to support and improve the community well-being and individual functioning.
Sales: Understanding customer psychology can boost your effectiveness in many sales roles.

Non-traditional Paths

Leveraging a psychology degree outside traditional roles:

User Experience (UX) Designer: Applying understanding of human behaviour to design better digital experiences.
Public Policy: Influence and develop policies that address social issues, leaning on your understanding of human behaviour and societal impacts.
Writing and Journalism: Covering topics related to mental health, psychological research, or human interest stories.

Start Your Own Business

Graduates in entrepreneurial psychology may launch businesses or consultancies that combine their business savvy with psychological expertise, offering coaching, mental health services, or corporate training programs.

Volunteering and Internships

Gaining experience through volunteering or internships can be incredibly beneficial, especially if you’re undecided about your specific career path. These experiences provide insight into how various organisations utilise psychological skills.

Continuing Education and Professional Development 

In psychology, continual education is essential regardless of the particular career route chosen. You may stay current on the most recent findings and industry best practices in your chosen field by attending workshops, seminars, and courses.

The question "What next after studying psychology?" has a lot of possibilities. Whether you're looking to further your education, enter the job, or even take a different path, psychology graduates are highly valued for their abilities and perspectives in a wide range of disciplines. Every step you go ahead provides an opportunity to apply your knowledge in ways that are significant and effective, creating a dynamic and rewarding career.