Love Psychology, But Don’t Want to Be a Therapist? Consider One of These Career Paths

College campuses are often clustered into several camps. There are the quasi-cool kids, the misfits, and, as we’d like to call them, the thinkers.

They stroll across campus with their heavy textbooks and spend hours in the library debating the merits of Carl Jung’s work because they want to look the part.

A year into their studies, many realize that this isn’t for them, and either drop out or change their majors. It’s not surprising. Attracted to the prospect of studying the human condition, they may find that the tedium of their studies soon outpaces the thirst for knowledge.

We get it. There’s a romanticism about psychology. The scientific study of the mind and behavior is extraordinary. But dedicating years to a degree when your head’s not in it is a waste of time and tuition fees.

Luckily, the world needs more people with analytical mindsets and buckets of empathy, and you don’t need a psychology degree.

Social Worker

Social workers are activists at heart. You’ll find them in schools, hospitals, and child welfare agencies, advocating for the voiceless. Their elixir is the study of human behavior in social environments.

Earlier this year, the Bipartisan Policy Center released a report titled Bridging the Gap: Meeting Workforce Needs Over the Next Decade. It found that the U.S. labor sector will face significant shortages over the next 10 years.

Healthcare and social assistance are at the greatest risk, which is why the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects an average of 74,000 openings for social workers annually. If you value passion over pay, the median annual wage for social workers is $61,330.

Your Study Options

The prevalence of long-distance learning has made many things possible, including online social work degrees for aspiring social workers.

Bachelor of Social Work students opt for online social work programs for two main reasons. The theory is online coursework, and upon completion, you will be equipped to pursue licensure as a licensed social worker.

With an online Master of Social Work (MSW) degree, Keuka College says that graduates can address the growing need for mental health services and fight for social justice in diverse communities.

HR Specialist

If you thought HR’s job was to hire and fire, you’ve got it all wrong. Every company’s Human Resources department is managed by an individual with nerves of steel. Yet, they lead with empathy and compassion. 

And when employee well-being is at the core of a well-run business, these are the team members who ensure proper procedures are put in place. They’re the vital link between management and the workforce.

According to the BLS, HR specialists are paid a median annual wage of approximately $72,910. Not too shabby!

Study Options

Most HR specialists need a bachelor’s degree in human resources, business, communications, or a similar field.

What will count in your favor is doing an internship while in college. It can also give you a strong edge. HR internships provide real-world experience and make connections in the industry that can lead to future job opportunities.

UX Researcher

The intersection between cognitive psychology and user-friendly technology is where you’ll find a UX researcher.

UX (user experience) research is the process of studying users and understanding their needs, enabling designers to create better products. As a UX researcher, your role entails using various methods to identify problems, spot opportunities, and gather insights. 

That sounds pretty cool, considering your findings help guide the design and make it more effective and user-friendly.

UX researchers in the U.S. earn a decent salary, allowing for a comfortable lifestyle. Recruitment experts suggest that individuals in this position can command up to $113,102 per annum.

If you care about humans positively interacting with technology, this might be your calling.

Study Options

Believe it or not, most UX researchers carry a Bachelor of Arts degree. BA graduates are thriving in fields such as digital marketing, data analytics, and public policy. 

You’ll need a bachelor’s degree in Arts, Psychology, Sociology, or any related field. Strong communication, problem-solving abilities, and an analytical personality are your fighters.

Know Yourself

Nothing in life is certain. However, you can decrease the odds of fate working against you, and that includes not choosing a study pathway for the sake of it.

Bragging rights won’t bring you joy, and they won’t pay the bills. Yes, having a psychology degree does sound enticing. Yet, if your interests only go as far as Erik Erikson’s theory of psychosocial development, things start to go pear-shaped.

Put thought into this stage of your education and examine all your options. Chat with a career coach for a clearer picture of what it is you really want. With the road ahead cleared, your journey to getting there is less challenging.