3 Career-Building Paths for Applied Psychology Undergraduates

Considering a bachelor's degree in applied psychology? This article will give an overview of what you will learn throughout your degree course. And also explain your options after graduation.

Like its name suggests, graduates of applied psychology will be qualified for jobs that involve the practical aspects of psychology. At the advanced diploma stage of your learning, you will be introduced to various fields of psychology like: social psychology, learning psychology, or youth disorders. During the year you earn your bachelor's degree, you will explore a few other fields - and also, complete your dissertation. A dissertation is an individual project where you will research to find solutions or analyze an existing societal phenomenon.

To be a practicing psychologist, you must meet the minimum requirement of a master's degree. For those with an advanced diploma or a bachelor's degree, entry-level jobs will be available - but working your way up the career ladder will take a long time.

In college, students who are taking advanced diploma or bachelor's degree programs in Applied Psychology gain experience by volunteering. Top-performing students are also invited to international psychology seminars where they can learn from existing psychology practitioners. The comprehensive curriculum also serves as a good foundation to build on when there are plans to further education in other places.

As an applied psychologist, most jobs you will be qualified for involve interaction with clients. You will be using your knowledge to help them overcome certain behavioral issues. So be prepared with an open mind, a big heart, and analytical thinking to develop the best results for your client's mental health. The desire to help others live a fuller life is most often the biggest motivation of applied psychology practitioners.

The Possibilities after Graduation

1) Pursue Further Studies

Just as you have done so for your bachelor's degree in applied psychology, look for schools with accreditation and good track records. Then, think about the country which you will want to gain experience in. Which country will provide you with opportunities that you want? Do you want to learn from the professionals in first-world countries? Or do you want to study in the capital of a beta city so you could be closer to aid the less fortunate?

Spend as much time as you need to consider your future. If you have a strong passion in teaching, you can choose to pursue a Doctor of Education degree. Still unsure of which area you would like to specialize in? You can begin to work on your career by either volunteering your services or taking up entry-level jobs.

2) Volunteer at Places of Interest

Look out for places where you can do volunteer work because your hours served will look good on your resume. In certain cases, you might even be hired as a working staff after proving your capabilities. Doing psychology-related work in your free time also proves that you are serious about your field. And this will work well for you during university interviews.

3) Off to Work!

Working is not as bad as it sounds. When you are working in psychology, no two days are ever the same. The needs of your clients will change with time. And you can enjoy the experience and satisfaction of doing work that makes society a better place. Not to mention, your work will make positive changes in someone else's life.

From here, you can choose your field of interest and look out for entry-level positions. You could look out for jobs in clinics, schools, or social work.

Donald, International Admissions Director of Raffles Education Corporation, a leading education provider in Asia Pacific operating 33 colleges across 30 cities in 13 countries (Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, New Zealand, Australia, Mongolia, Bangladesh, India, China, Hong Kong, Cambodia, Sri Lanka & Indonesia). Certifications such as Advanced Diploma, Bachelor and Master Degrees are also offered for various disciplines in design, business, science and technology such as visual communication, animation, multimedia, interior design, product design, jewellery design, biomedical, infocomm security and early childhood. Direct your questions on international Admissions at Raffles colleges at Raffles IAO.