Here’s a list of 5 Creative Careers for Psychology Graduates.
1. Think Tank Policy
Research “think tanks” such as RAND Corporation hire behavioral scientists with a psychology background to advance criminal and juvenile justice system policy. You might evaluate programs to improve community reintegration, or interventions for risk reduction to correctional populations.
Bookshelf
The New Jim Crow (Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness (2020).
2. Product Design & Management
Digital product designers and managers spend a lot of time asking how best to define and solve “human problems” via a smartphone app or virtual headset. Psychology training gives you the insights and empathy to understand users’ pain and gain points so that a design team — programmers, graphic designers, human/computer interface specialists — can solve the right problem in the right way.
Bookshelf
Emotional Design: Why We Love (or Hate) Everyday Things (2005).
3. Performing Arts
Anyone who creates a character, drama, song, film or theatrical production needs to think through the backstory and psychology of their character(s). A psychology degree can lead to work across the media, streaming services and the performing arts. You might help Netflix or HBO understand viewer habits, or work behind the scenes in writing, or aspect of production such as lighting or sound.
Bookshelf
Tools and Techniques for Character Interpretation: A Handbook of Psychology for Actors, Writers, and Directors (2006).
4. eSports Psychologist
Like any athlete, someone committed to the higher level of esports performance will turn to a sports psychologist to deal with issues of confidence, social isolation, training approaches and work/life/competition balance.
Bookshelf
The Invisible Game: Mindset of a Winning Team (2016).
5. Big Data Psychologist
Companies and marketers increasingly add psychologists to teams of analysts trying to interpret large data sets. Why do travelers spend hours booking travel online, only to end the transaction before it's complete? Why do some employees stay with the same job while others change companies frequently?
Bookshelf
The Data Detective: Ten Easy Rules to Make Sense of Statistics (2021).
Year after year, psychology remains one of the top 5 most popular majors among U.S. undergraduates. It makes sense given the versatility of the degree as preparation for further professional study (within or beyond psychology) and steady employer demand.
Some data:
3.83%
Annual growth rate for psychology graduates in the workforce.
$82,180
Median annual wage for psychologists as of May 2020.
45%
Percentage of undergraduate psychology majors who go on to earn a graduate degree.
