What Can I do with my Bachelor of Arts Degree in
Psychology?
About Psychology
Psychology is a fascinating discipline; it is the study of mental processes and
behavior. Psychologists seek to examine and explain the biological, cognitive and
social determinants of human behaviour. At a basic level, psychology students
come to understand and appreciate the many factors that influence and motivate
human behaviour. Psychology graduates generally have superior skills in problem
solving, critical thinking, collecting, analyzing and interpreting data, writing and
communicating. Psychology students also develop a number of valuable skill-sets,
including the ability to formulate evidence-based arguments, critically evaluate
research findings, and identify important ethical issues. Such skills are highly
valued by employers in both the public and private sector.
Career/Job Opportunities
Many students graduating with a bachelor's degree will work in some division of
human or social services. Some common job titles in the area include: Case
Management, Career Counselor, Rehabilitation Specialist, and Psychiatric
Technician. Some important skills for those working in this area include the ability
to assess client needs, keep thorough and accurate records, express care and
empathy and to act as an advocate for your client. As an undergraduate, you have
also done a considerable amount of research and writing. This skill would be useful
in many jobs such as a library assistant, probation officer, business manager, case
worker and many others.
Through graduate studies in Psychology, students may become chartered
psychologists, working in clinical settings with clients who have emotional problems
or mental illness. They may also study to become research psychologists in one of
the many areas of psychology. Graduates may also go on to professional studies in
fields such as medicine, law, or business. Other related career areas include:
• Social Services
• Government and Civil Service
• Research
• Law Enforcement and Corrections
• Counselling
• Public Relations
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Journalism
Urban Planning
The ALIS (Alberta Learning Information Service) http://alis.alberta.ca and the
Working in Canada http://www.workingincanada.gc.ca websites provide
information about wages, education requirements, local and national employment
prospects, interests and skill requirements for graduates of the Bachelor of Arts –
Psychology degree.
If you would like to explore your interests, identify your goals; discuss
your career options and job search strategies and discover how to make
the most of your education, we encourage you to either drop by the
Counselling and Career Centre in room 1402 or call 403-343-4064 to make
an appointment with the Career and Employment Services Coordinator.
This career/job listing is only a sample of the opportunities available; these are
certainly not the only career/job options accessible with this degree. Some of the
careers listed require further education.
For career information, enter the four digit number listed below in the Alberta
Learning Information Services Website (www.alis.alberta.ca) or the National
Occupational Classification Website (http://www5.hrsdc.gc.ca/NOC/ ).
With your education in Psychology you could be a:
Academic Advisor #4143
Corrections Officer #6462
Geriatric Aide #3413
Program Coordinator
Human Resource Specialist
#4164
Probation Officer #4155
Activity Leader
Community Relations Officer
#6261
Research Assistant/
Researcher #4164/4165
Group Home Worker #4212
Health Educator #0311
Volunteer Coordinator #4212
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Relief Worker
Employment Counselor
#4213
Family Service Worker #4213
Fundraiser #4212
Residential Counselor #4212
Mental Health Worker #4212
Employee Welfare Officer
Crisis Worker
Human Rights Activist
Management Consultant
#1122
Benefits Officer #1432
Marketing Specialist/
Representative
Quality Control/Quality
Assurance Specialist
Public Relations Consultant
#5124
Market Researcher #4163
Recruiter #1223
Assistant Manager
Job Analyst #1121
Multicultural Consultant
Investment Advisor #1112
Entrepreneur/Venture
Capitalist
International/Foreign
Student Advisor #4143
Recreation Director #0513
Alumni Relations Officer
Writer #5121
Editor #5122
Reporter #5123
Journalist #5123
Broadcaster #5231
Publisher #0016
Technical Writer #5121
Book Reviewer
Web Developer/Producer
Art Therapist #3144
Occupational Therapist
#3143
Psychiatrist #3111
Social Services Caseworker
#4152
Marital Counselor #4153
Career Counselor #4213
Nurse #3152
Life Coach
Music Therapist #3144
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Criminologist #4169
University Professor #4121
Mental Health Counsellor
#4153
Psychometrist #4169
Forensic Specialist
Cegep Teacher #4131
Physical Therapist #3142
Social Worker #4152
Guidance Counselor #4143
Psychologist #4151
Sex Therapist #4153
Lawyer #4112
Employers (not a comprehensive list)
Universities
Seniors Residences
Placement Agencies
Popular Magazines
Colleges
Detentions Centers
Head Hunter Agencies
Educational and Academic
Journals
High Schools
Law Firms
Special Needs Centers
Hospitality Industry
Community Organizations
Adoption Agencies
Public Health Service
Major Skills obtained from Bachelor of Arts - Psychology (not a
comprehensive list)
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Strong Interpersonal communication (oral and written)
Engage in ethical practice
Knowledge of human development & behavior
Problem solving, decision making and team-playing skills
Able to observe, analyze, & interpret information
Ability to make critical observations, evaluations and appropriate decisions
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Aptitude for leadership
Good listening, clarifying, questioning and responding skills
Skilled at interacting with people of different backgrounds in different situations
Capacity to anticipate and understand the views and concerns of others
Able to promote healthy relationships
Ability to mediate or resolve conflicts
Ability to plan and carry out long term projects
Concern for and sensitivity to others
Thorough and systematic thinking skills, using conceptual analysis, reasoning
and detailed description
Design and construct surveys and interviews
Ability to read material articulately and analytically
Quickly understand complex problems and identify solutions
Listing of Potential Employers
Red Deer College www.rdc.ab.ca/employment
City of Red Deer www.reddeer.ca
Department of Veterans Affairs - www.veterans.gc.ca/general
Correctional Service of Canada - www.csc-scc.gc.ca
Indian & Northern Affairs Canada - www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/index-eng.asp
Alberta Mental Health Board - www.albertahealthservices.ca/
Canadian Mental Health Association - www.cmha.ca
Legal Aid Society of Alberta - www.legalaid.ab.ca/
SAIT Polytechnic - www.sait.ca/
Medicine Hat College - www.mhc.ab.ca/
Calgary Health Region - www.calgaryhealthregion.ca/
Provincial Health Services Authority BC - www.phsa.ca/
Sunrise Native Addictions Services - www.nass.ca/
Calgary Drop-In & Rehab Centre – www.thedi.ca/
General Job Search Websites
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www.rdc.ab.ca/employment Red Deer College Job Opportunities
http://rdc.ab.ca/about/human-resources/employment/student-employment Red
Deer College Online Job Posting Board
www.reddeer.ca City of Red Deer
http://rdcounty.ca/ Red Deer County
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http://www.reddeerchamber.com Red Deer Chamber of Commerce
www.reddeerconstruction.com Red Deer Construction Association
www.carmagroup.ca Central Albert Rural Manufacturing Association
www.jobbank.gc.ca
http://ca.indeed.com/?r=us
www.chr.alberta.ca/jobs Alberta provincial government
www.jobs.gc.ca Federal government
www.healthjobs.ab.ca Alberta Health Services
http://www.rdpsd.ab.ca/Human-Resources.php Red Deer Public School
District
http://www.rdcrd.ab.ca/en/Career_Opportunities_6 Red Deer Catholic
School District
www.eluta.ca
www.reddeerjobshop.ca
http://reddeer.kijiji.ca
www.wegotjobs.ca
http://talentegg.ca/
http://www.diversifiedstaffing.com/
www.jobster.com
http://www.extremejobs.ca/
http://charityvillage.com/
http://www.tagrecruitmentgroup.com/
http://www.glassdoor.ca/index.htm
www.alberta-canada.com/jobs
www.wowjobs.ca
www.jobpostings.ca
www.workopolis.com
www.albertajobs.com
www.monster.ca
www.linkedin.com
www.careerbuilder.ca
http://volunteercentral.ca/
http://www.manpowerab.com/
http://www.diversifiedstaffing.com/
http://www.visitreddeer.com/
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http://contactpoint.ca/jobs/
www.simplyhired.ca/
Professional Associations and Sites of Interest
National Institute of Mental Health - www.nimh.nih.gov
American Psychological Association - www.apa.org
American Psychological Society - www.psychologicalscience.org
Canadian Psychological Association - www.cpa.ca
Ordre des psychologues du Québec - www.ordrepsy.qc.ca
Ontario Psychological Association - www.psych.on.ca
Canadian Counselling Association - www.ccacc.ca
Canadian Association for Child and Play Therapy - www.cacpt.com
Canadian Mental Health Association - www.cmha.ca
RDC Department Information
Bachelor of Arts: Psychology
http://www.rdc.ab.ca/academic_calendar/program_course_listing/university_transf
er_programs/Pages/bachelor_of_arts_in_psychology.aspx
For More Info
Please contact the Career & Employment Services Coordinator
403.314.2476
Counselling & Career Centre - Room 1402
[email protected]
Information adapted from
http://caps.mcgill.ca/handouts/whattodo/psychology.pdf
http://www.uleth.ca/ross/ces/majors/psychology.pdf
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