Psychology

What is Psychology?	Related Careers
Related Skills	Job & Internship Search Links
Career Planning Links	Professional Association Links
Miscellaneous Links	OSU School of Psychological Sciences

What is Psychology?

"Why people do the things they do is an age-old question. However, psychology -- the science concerned with the behavior of both humans and animals -- is only about 125 years old. Despite its youth, it is a broad discipline, essentially spanning subject matter from biology to sociology. Biology studies the structures and functions of living organisms. Sociology examines how groups function in society. Psychologists study two critical relationships: one between brain function and behavior, and one between the environment and behavior. As scientists, psychologists follow scientific methods, using careful observation, experimentation, and analysis. But psychologists also need to be creative in the way they apply scientific findings.

Psychologists are frequently innovators, evolving new approaches from established knowledge to meet changing needs of people and societies. They develop theories and test them through their research. As this research yields new information, these findings become part of the body of knowledge that practitioners call on in their work with clients and patients. Psychology is a tremendously varied field.

Psychologists conduct both basic and applied research, serve as consultants to communities and organizations, diagnose and treat people, and teach future psychologists and other types of students. They test intelligence and personality. They assess behavioral and mental function and well-being, stepping in to help where appropriate. They study how human beings relate to each other and also to machines, and they work to improve these relationships. With America undergoing large changes in its population makeup, psychologists bring important knowledge and skills to understanding diverse cultures."

Dr. John Edwards, Director of Pyscological Sciences, OSU

Psychology - What Can I Do with This Degree? pdf - lists the industry areas, employers, and strategies for using your degree.

Related Careers

Some careers may require further education:

Account Executive	Crisis Intervention Counselor	Personnel Assistant
Activity Leader	Customer Service Representative	Personnel Interviewer
Admissions Evaluator	Customs/Immigration Officer	Personnel Manager
Advertising Assistant	Employee Assistance Director	Physical Therapist
Art Therapist	Employment Agency Counselor	Probation Officer
Assistant Account Executive	Financial Advisor	Professional Employment Recruiter
Career Planning Professor	Financial Aid Director	Program Developer
Case Worker	Food & Beverage Assistant Manager	Psychiatrist
Child Psychologist	Health Club Manager	Psychologist
College Student Affairs	Health Educator	Public Opinion Surveyor
Community & Social Service	Hospice Coordinator	Public Relations Assistant
Community Relations Director	Hotel Even Management	Recreation Specialist
Communtiy Relation Representative	Human Resources	Researcher
Copywriter	Human Resources Administrator	Sales Representative
Corporate Merchandising	International Student Advisor	Social Service Professional Staff
Correctional Caseworker	Job Developer	Sociologist
Corrections Officer	Junior Market Analyst	Statistician Assistant
Cottage Parent	Labor Relations Specialist	Teacher
Counselor: Alcohol/Drug	Market Research Analyst	Technical Writer
Counselor: Career	Marketing/Sales Manager	Technical Communicator
Counselor: Guidance	Media Buyer	Television/Media Researcher
Counselor: School	Mental Health Coordinator	Training & Development Professional
Counselor: Vocational	Music Therapist	Wage/Benefits Analyst
Creative Director	Occupational Therapist	Youth Corrections Officer

Related Skills

Ability to Resolve/Mediate Conflicts	Good Listener
Able to Observe, Analyze, & Interpret Information	Insight to Deal Effectively with People
Able to Promote Healthy Relationships	Interpersonal Communication (Oral & Written)
Concern for & Sensitivity to Others	Interviewing Techniques
Critical & Inferential Thinking	Knowledge of Human Development & Behavior
Decision Making	Problem Solving
Engage in Ethical Practice	Understanding of Group Dynamics

Job & Internship Search Links

USAJobs.gov - check out the Students and Recent Grads section and the Federal Jobs by College Major for a listing of job titles related to your major.

Psychology Career Center - established to help aspiring psychologists, psychology students and job seekers make better, more informed career choices by providing them with relevant, reliable and up-to-date career development, job search and employment information.

Counseling Employment Classifieds

PsycCareers

APS Employment Network

Philanthropy: Jobs by Poslition Type

NationalService.org

Human Services Careers

Idealist

Nonprofit Jobs

Peace Corps

Social Psychology Job Posting Forum

Social Work Jobs

SIOP JobNet

The Mentor Network Jobs

HHS Careers

Career Planning Links

Occupational Outlook Handbook - the following links also provide a summary of the career, what they do, the work environment, how to become one, the job outlook, similar occupations and contacts for more information.

Explore Careers in Life Sciences

What Can I do with a Major in Psychology? - CareerThoughts.com has a similar page to this one, which includes career options, expected salary, and job outlook information.

PsychologyDegree.net - offers a lot of useful information and guides on post-graduation plans, different psychology degree programs, and additional career resources.

All Psychology Schools

Online Psychology Career Center

Encyclopedia of Psychology Careers

Careers in Psychology

Non-Academic Careers