Psychology Majors

Did anyone major in Psychology in college? and what do you do now?

My daughter really likes it and wants to major in child neuropsychology, but is already worried about finding a job in the field. Anyone out there have any experience?

Psychology Majors

I double majored in psych and communications. I work in an entirely different field. I would think at bare minimum, a master's would be needed to work in pediatric neuropsychology.

Re: Psychology Majors

Psych major, masters in school counseling, school counselor

Psychology Majors

I was a psych major but then went to law school. I would say that unless she has a pretty definitive plan - bachelors degree, then masters, etc., psych is not a great major. I know someone who graduated with a psych degree just over 2 years ago and you cannot really work in the field without an advanced degree. I don't know anything about finding a job in the neuro psych field, but she has to at least be sure that she will be willing to follow through with an advanced degree. The person I know intended to continue with his education but then changed his mind (said he was "burnt out") and is now finding the hard reality of trying to find a job with just an undergrad degree. There are some jobs (entry level corporate, banking etc) that just require any bachelors degree but to work in the field, she would really have to continue with school.

Re: Psychology Majors

I majored in Psychology and I loved it but it's a hard program to get into once you move on to the graduate level. There isn't much you can do with only a BA in Psych. I ended up going back for my Masters in Education a few years later.

Re: Psychology Majors

I was a psych major in college, masters in social work. Currently work in a school based health center in a high school

Psychology Majors

She definitely plans on a masters and is even toying with the idea of Psychiatry with a doctorate. She is one determined girl and has already planned on the next 10 years of her life. I think at minimum she will finish a masters. Can I ask where you all went to school?

Re: Psychology Majors

Psychology Majors

Also Pysch major and then went on to become a speech-language pathologist. I did my undergrad at Binghamton which has a great Pysch department.

Re: Psychology Majors

Re: Psychology Majors

I work directly with several neuropsychologists and understand there is a huge need in this area.

However, the downside is it's really tough to get into a doctoral program.

Tons of money and time schmoozing on interviews across the country and professors only accept a small handful of students, and not even every year.

I know our students have said it's easier to get into med school.

There are also lots of problems now with insurance not reimbursing for NP evals so most practitioners need to go private. A lot of people are not getting service or are on long wait lists.

Re: Psychology Majors

Psychology Majors

Thank you! This has been very helpful.

Re: Psychology Majors

I have a family member that went for Bach in Psych then right to a Masters in social work then licensed (LMSW)
Worked as a school social worker in a private school (low pay) for years and finally this year got a job at a public school district (Nassau county) as an elementary school social worker which is pretty much like hitting the Lotto, dream job

Psychology Majors

You would think it would be the other way around!

Re: Psychology Majors

Posted by busymomonli

Thank you! This has been very helpful.

Psychology Majors

I did and now I work as a psychologist/ behavior specialist for adults with autism feel free to ask me any questions

Re: Psychology Majors

I switched from bio/pre-med to psychology in undergrad. I went on to get my masters in school psychology. I now work in a district on LI with good hours/calendar, good salary, great benefits. However, these jobs are harder and harder to get like everything in education, and more districts are looking for doctoral level.

Re: Psychology Majors

I think neuro psychs are wanted. my husband has his psy.d works in a school (and has private practice) but at one point the district offered to pay for him to get his neuro psych degree. He ended up not doing it because their were no locations near by and he really didnt have the time.

ETA she doesnt need to find a job she could start her own practice . Neuro psychs charge quite a bit for evaluations.

Message edited 9/22/2015 5:29:23 PM.

Psychology Majors

I have three family members who all graduated with bachelors in psych. Two have masters in school pschology and got jobs in public schools on LI very easily. They say they hit the lotto with their jobs because they have teachers salaries, benefits, vacations, and none of the headaches of having a classroom (and it also seems that they are able to take time off whenever they need to). The other has a masters in some kind of therapy I think and works for a hospital. Her pay is nowhere near the school psychologists.

Message edited 9/22/2015 5:31:09 PM.

Psychology Majors

I have a psych degree and choose not to go on for my masters. I instead went for my CASAC and now I'm a drug and alcohol counselor at an outpatient facility. I knew this was the field I wanted to get into so I didn't see the need to continue schooling (it's not for me.)

Re: Psychology Majors

My undergrad and grad degrees are in psych. I am in private practice.

Re: Psychology Majors

Psych, BA
Ended up getting my Masters in Early Childhood Ed; was an elementary/early childhood teacher

Re: Psychology Majors

Re: Psychology Majors

I have a BA in psych from Stony Brook and a masters in Social Work.

I don't use either and work with computers.