AREAS
HUMAN SERVICES
Counseling
Advocacy
Mental Health Services
Case Management
Programming
Community Relations
Administration
EMPLOYERS
Federal government, including Departments of: Health and Human Services Justice,
Veterans Administration
State government, including Departments of: Human Services, Mental Health &
Mental Retardation, Community mental health centers, State psychiatric hospitals,
Facilities for mentally impaired, Justice, Probation and parole
Local government
Senior citizens' centers
United Way agencies
Nonprofit organizations
Religiously-affiliated service organizations
Hospitals
STRATEGIES
Obtain essential practical experience through part-time or summer jobs such
as camp counselor, tutor, or resident hall advisor. Complete an internship for
academic credit. Gain experience through volunteering with organizations such
as crisis hotlines, Big Brother or Sister, Special Olympics, service fraternities
or sororities, etc. Many entry-level helping positions require one year of related
experience. Volunteer experience can typically fulfill this requirement. Learn
to work well with different types of people. Develop strong communication skills.
Cultivate the desire to help others. Become fluent in a foreign language spoken
by multi-cultural clients. Be willing to relocate. Become familiar with government
hiring procedures. Acquire knowledge of government and community resources available
for those in need. Obtain a graduate degree in psychology, counseling, or social
work for substantive counseling work and advancement into administrative work.
Many specialties exist at the graduate level, for example school counseling,
mental health counseling, rehabilitation counseling, etc. Pursue particular
degrees depending upon interests and career goals. Pursue an excellent academic
record.
AREAS
RESEARCH
EMPLOYERS
Federal government including: Department of Health and Human Services, National
Institute of Education, Office of Naval Research
National headquarters of non-profit organizations
Universities and colleges
STRATEGIES
Work with a professor on his or her research project. Develop strong quantitative
and statistical skills. Obtain a graduate degree for greater opportunities.
AREAS
HUMAN RESOURCES
Employment and Recruitment
Labor Relations
Compensation and Benefits
EMPLOYERS
Large companies
Government agencies
Employment and temporary agencies
Large non-profit organizations including hospitals and educational institutions
STRATEGIES
Acquire related experience as a resident hall advisor, orientation leader, admissions
tour guide, or student assistant in career services. Find student organization
committee work in policy making or settling disputes. Supplement curriculum
with business courses. Acquire strong computer skills.
AREAS
PUBLIC RELATIONS
Research
Programming
Writing and Editing
Event Planning
Media Placement
Public Speaking
Fund-raising
EMPLOYERS
Public relations and advertising firms
Companies with public relations departments
Professional associations
Federal, state and local government
Colleges and universities
Non-profit organizations
STRATEGIES
Develop strong writing and speaking skills. Obtain related experience with campus
newspaper, television, or radio station. Serve as an admissions tour guide or
work in alumni relations or other PR-related functions. Volunteer as a fund-raiser
or political canvasser. Gain experience through internships. Join the campus
chapter of Public Relations Society of America.
AREAS
ADVERTISING
Creative
Media
Account Services
Research
EMPLOYERS
Advertising agencies
Companies with in-house advertising agencies or departments
STRATEGIES
Obtain relevant experience with campus newspaper, television, or radio station.
Work with student-run businesses. Find an internship, even if unpaid, with a
market research or advertising firm. Develop a portfolio for creative positions.
Obtain a business minor or double major for account services positions.
AREAS
MARKET RESEARCH
EMPLOYERS
Market research firms
Market research departments of consumer goods and manufacturing firms
STRATEGIES
Develop a strong background in math and statistics. Get involved in the American
Marketing Association. Obtain related experience. Get a part-time or summer
field service position with a market research firm. Obtain business research
experience. Serve as a canvasser or phone interviewer for a non-profit organization
or political campaign. Earn a graduate degree in statistics or marketing for
the greatest number of opportunities.
AREAS
TEACHING
EMPLOYERS
Public and private schools
Colleges and universities
STRATEGIES
Obtain teaching certificate for public school positions. Dual certification
will increase marketability. Seek guidance from education department of your
college. Secure strong personal recommendations. Volunteer as a tutor.
Gain experience working with children or adolescents. PhD required for post-secondary
teaching.
AREAS
RETAILING
Management
EMPLOYERS
Department stores
Specialty stores
Discount stores
Super retailers
STRATEGIES
Secure leadership positions in campus organizations. Work a part-time or summer
job in a retail store. Demonstrate a willingness to take on additional responsibilities
such as "assistant manager." Be willing to start in a management-trainee
program. Learn to work well with different types of people.
AREAS
SALES
EMPLOYERS
Retailers
Service providers
Wholesalers
Manufacturers
Insurance companies
Real estate companies
STRATEGIES
Obtain experience through internships or sales jobs. Take business courses.
Participate in student organizations and seek leadership roles. Must be highly
motivated and well organized. Develop a strong commitment to customer satisfaction.
Must work well under pressure and be comfortable in a competitive environment.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Psychology provides a broad, liberal arts background.
Some students may choose to study psychology because they enjoy the subject but wish to pursue careers requiring "any major." In this scenario, it is critical to develop desirable skills through internships, part-time or summer jobs, or volunteer experiences. Some skills valued most by employers include: communication, interpersonal, leadership, teamwork, and computer skills.
Other students may major in psychology because they want to work in a related field. Many entry-level helping positions are available, however the amount of direct client contact is limited for those who have a bachelor's degree. Students may wish to pursue graduate education in psychology, social work, counseling, college student personnel, or other related fields to increase opportunities and earning potential.
For those wishing to pursue graduate education, maintain a high grade point average, secure strong faculty recommendations, and gain experience through volunteer or work opportunities. Assist a faculty member with his or her research.
Prepared by the Career Planning staff of Career Services at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. (2005) UTK is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA Employer