Masters in Psychology Jobs & Careers

Masters in Psychology Jobs

This degree can take you a lot of places. Two of the business areas that often take in psychology graduates are advertising and human resources departments. Ad agencies are loaded with graphics experts and clever wordsmiths, but they often find value in bringing on an employee who has some insight into human behavior and cognition. Human resources departments devote a lot of man hours to interviewing new employees and managing personnel problems within the company as a whole. A bachelor's degree in psychology is a good entry level credential. A master's degree in industrial/organizational psychology is an excellent credential for an organizational development, change management or training position. But most people pursue a graduate degree like psychology with a career track in mind. Here is a list of ten where job openings are currently being advertised.

1. Psychology Instructor: These positions may be found in a community college; some schools hire instructors that do not hold a doctorate. But the more likely opportunities are with career colleges, online institutions and organizations that offer training in psychology-related fields.
2. Corporate Trainer: Some large corporations maintain an in-house trainer or training staff for constant organizational updates, upgrades, and group training. But more often corporate trainers are consultants who bring a set training program with them and fit the specifics provided by the client into the format. Group training or executive training is a good option - at the right level - for a psychology graduate.
3. Organizational Development: This has become a mainstream job title with many firms advertising openings for people with experience in the field. Many firms are looking for applicants familiar with Six Sigma or a similar efficiency program, but a Master of Industrial/Organizational Psychology will get you in the door for an interview.
4. Change Management Coordinator: This is a job for a person who has made patience a professional asset and communication a strong professional skill. Change management generally means convincing an employee group to do something different and buy into the concept as well as the practice. It's an art form; it requires highly developed psychological insight and quick thinking but can be a rewarding career: these are usually consulting positions.
5. Management Consultant: Management consulting firms get called in to fix things, to create greater operational efficiency or harmony or both. Generally business consultants come out of a MBA program but consulting firms also employ psychology professionals to work with the more subtle issues confronting a dysfunctional business environment and a management team that is frustrated with their inability to lead.
6. Organizational Analyst: This is another position often found in a management consultant environment, although firms that are growing via acquisition engage in a lot of organizational analysis. When an organizational analysis requires a team effort there is often a trained psychologist included with the finance, operations and personnel experts that are sent in to work up an analytical report.
7. Social Work Counselor: A Master of Social Work and a Master of Clinical Psychology are two degrees that will qualify an individual for a state counseling license. Some psychology graduates who are interested in social services can find a niche in a social work agency or non-profit working as a counselor, rather than attempting a private practice. For the right individual it can be a rewarding job.
8. Case Manager: These positions arise in companies that operate behavioral healthcare services, for substance abuse, mental retardation, and mental health services to adolescents, children, seniors, and their families. Psychiatric and mental health services are provided today through home healthcare, inpatient facilities, group therapy and in numerous outreach facilities. A psychology professional with a graduate credential should qualify for a management position with a service provider in this field.
9. School Counselor: This is another position that requires state licensure, which in turn requires the right academic training and many hours of clinical internship. It's also an excellent career however as an alternative to a counseling practice. Developmental psychology, child psychology and family counseling are all skills that come into play in this field.
10. Probation Officer: Many jurisdictions require their probation officers, particularly their juvenile probation officers, to hold masters' degrees. The majority has studied criminal justice, but there are a significant number that have earned a Masters in Psychology as well. Probation counseling will call on all of the personal insight abilities you have developed through experience and education.