Do you have a passion for knowing what makes people “tick” from social, developmental and biological perspectives? Is the understanding of human behaviour in all its aspects a fascinating subject for you? If so, then following a major in Psychology at Keele or at Glendon may be for you.
This list is not exhaustive but provides an idea of the options graduates have and what they have gone on to do. Some options are more directly associated with a Psychology degree than others.
- Addiction Counsellor
- Bereavement Counsellor
- Career Counsellor
- Child and Youth Worker
- Child Life Specialist
- Clinical Psychologist
- Community Worker
- Consumer Advocate
- Events Coordinator
- Fundraiser
- Gerontologist
- Human Resource Specialist
- Industrial Psychologist
- Journalist
- Labour Relations Specialist
- Lawyer
- Legislative Aid
- Lobbyist
- Marriage and Family Therapist
- Mediator
- Mental Health Worker
- Neurologist
- Non-profit Administrator
- Nurse
- Occupational Therapist
- Office Administrator
- Policy Advisor
- Political Advisor
- Politician
- Probation Officer
- Psychologist
- Public Affairs Consultant
- Public Relations Consultant
- Public Speaking Consultant
- Rehabilitation Counsellor
- Researcher
- Retirement Counsellor
- Social Policy Researcher
- Social Worker
- Victims Advocate
- Writer
- Youth Counsellor
NOTE: Some of these career choices may require additional education or preparation in the form of graduate studies, experiential education, or professional formative courses and exams. For a more in-depth description and overall background of some of the careers mentioned above, refer to Job Bank’s Trend Analysis tool by typing the job title into the search engine.
Additionally, consider visiting the Career Cruising website. To locate the university’s username and password, you must login to Experience York using your Passport York information. It can be found under the “Career Education & Development” drop-down menu on the left then under “Career Development Tools”.
The ability to understand human behaviour can be a powerful tool in any workplace. Here are just a few of the skills a Psychology degree can help you develop:
Knowledge Based Goals
- How to describe key concepts, principles, and overarching themes in psychology
- Developing a working knowledge of psychology’s content domains
- Understanding practical applications of psychology
Scientific Inquiry & Critical Thinking
- How to use scientific reasoning to interpret psychological phenomena
- How to engage in innovative and integrative thinking and problem solving
- Interpreting, designing and conducting psychological research
Ethics and Social Responsibility
- How to apply ethical standards to evaluate psychological research and practice
- How to enhance interpersonal relationships
- How to cultivate values that strengthen communities at local, national, and global levels
Communicating Successfully
- How to write persuasively for different purposes
- How to give coherent and articulate oral presentations
- How to interact effectively in group discussions
Professional Development
- How to use psychological principles to inform career goals
- How to enhance self-efficacy and self-regulation
- How to refine project-management skills and teamwork capacity
Knowing the industry and how to excel in it after receiving a degree are key elements of future success. University study sets up the building blocks you will need to develop and enhance your understanding and knowledge in your career. Being part of a professional organization or network and gaining further insight through training are excellent ways of increasing your knowledge of the field.
- Canadian Psychological Association
- Ontario Psychological Association
- Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association
- Canadian Mental Health Association
- Ontario Association of Child and Youth Counsellors
- Ontario Mental Health Association
- Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse
- Keele Department of Psychology
- Glendon Department of Psychology