Is it realistic to work in business fields with a Psychology degree?
I love studying psychology and find that it can help me move forward into becoming a clinical psychologist or academic counselor after undergrad. I find that a degree in psychology may be pretty versatile and would like to use it to explore careers in business as well. I plan on taking business classes to obtain a certificate from my community college and maybe even minor in Business while majoring in Psychology when I transfer to univeristy. I want to explore business administration, HR, and marketing, but I believe Psychology is my "stronger" suit, thus I want I major in Psychology and minor in BA/HR/marketing. However, I have read that many people struggle finding jobs in business with a Psychology degree. I am not sure if it is even worth putting my focus in business if business employers find my education non-sufficient. A lot of online forums and YouTube videos are especially discouraging. What do you think? Should I just focus on my goal of becoming a counselor instead?
Thank you for your answers!
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27 answers
Ron’s Answer
Also, don't discount your skills of finishing a degree, regardless of what the major/minor is: organization, communication, resourcefulness (looking up youtube.), initiative (asking for advice). These are more essential for entry level jobs than knowing that exact business subject matter. Most of what I/people do is solving problems when there is no answer, not having the exact answer all the time.
When I'm hiring, I look for someone who can learn quickly and shows a commitment to bettering themselves and work hard to drive results. One can teach most anything to someone with the skills I've mentioned and they will have a chance to be successful at the job.
I will say, I did leverage some technical skills I was developing by volunteering and building websites for groups when I was in school. So i think taking some additional coursework or minoring like you mentioned is a great way to build skills. You would just have to practice sharing those skills and connecting it to job/role in the interview process.
Ron recommends the following next steps:
Eileen’s Answer
Deijana’s Answer
Julie’s Answer
Judith’s Answer
Darlene’s Answer
After my graduation, I took a role as a Human Resources Specialist. I worked in that capacity for 2 years, gaining valuable business experience, and then took another job at a larger company in Human Resources where I focused on Learning & Development and Organizational Development. At that point I wanted to shift my focus to Marketing. I found myself if various marketing roles, and then settled into the Technology space in a marketing capacity where I built skills in Product Marketing, Customer Marketing and eventually Digital Marketing. It is here that I grew my potential as a digital marketer in a technology company.
The company I am with now offered continued education for free! I recently received a mini-MBA certificate in Digital Marketing from Rutgers Business School - all online and after my normal work hours, while maintaining a household and 2 children. It is all reasonably achievable.
My Psychology degree gave me a good foundation for the importance of continued education, an 'in' into a company in an HR role, and there - it all unwound perfectly into a strong career. Stick to your guns and don't doubt your decisions. Getting the foundation is good - and everything can be modified an tailored to your liking as you progress.
Good luck!
Latoya’s Answer
Kimberly’s Answer
Yasemin’s Answer
I hope this helps!
I wish you the best!
Paul Anthony’s Answer
David’s Answer
If you want to work in marketing, then ideally you should seek to augment your knowledge by gaining some experience working in a marketing department. I started my degree studying both Psychology and Marketing and I see no reason why this should be a barrier if you have a passion to work in this field. I hope that this is helpful and I wish you luck!
Megan’s Answer
Mike’s Answer
Monica’s Answer
Okenwa’s Answer
Understanding human behavior is the most important aspect of working in a business field so don't get discouraged, I would advise that you should go for it once you have a passion for it.
Candice’s Answer
When I first started out, I worked in the Executive HR department for various major healthcare organizations. My title was the HR Specialist/Talent Manager. In this role I was responsible for things such as interviewing & surveying employees, assessing their performance, & creating methods to decrease turnover through the organization. There are also a lot of new openings in this career in dealing with diversity & anti-discrimation issues. Many people with this degree at the Bachelors level have titles such as Professional Development, Trainer, or Advisor. I currently work as a independent practice manager for 11 different private mental health providers. There are so many opportunities available just to be a consultant. At the Masters or PhD level, many companies have a Behavioral/Research Analyst or Systems Manager on staff.
This would be a great area to explore in both the areas of Psychology & Business.
Jacob’s Answer
**1. Transferable Skills:** Psychology equips you with valuable skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, and an understanding of human behavior. These skills are highly transferable and can be assets in various business roles.
**2. Diverse Career Opportunities:** Many businesses recognize the value of individuals with psychology backgrounds in areas like HR, marketing, consumer research, and organizational development. Your understanding of human behavior can be particularly beneficial in marketing, where consumer psychology plays a significant role.
**3. Complementary Minors:** Minoring in Business, HR, or Marketing will provide you with additional knowledge and skills specific to those fields. This combination can make you a strong candidate for business positions, especially those that involve working with people or managing teams.
**4. Adaptability:** Keep in mind that career paths aren't always linear. While your primary interest may be in psychology, exploring business fields doesn't mean you're locked into them forever. Your psychology background can also be an asset if you decide to return to clinical psychology or counseling later in your career.
**5. Networking:** Build a professional network that includes both psychologists and business professionals. Attend industry events, join relevant associations, and connect with professors who can guide you in both fields.
**6. Continuous Learning:** Stay open to continuous learning and consider obtaining certifications or taking additional courses in business-related areas as needed. This can enhance your qualifications and adaptability.
**7. Realistic Expectations:** It's true that some specialized business roles may require specific business degrees. However, many employers prioritize skills, experience, and a willingness to learn. Emphasize your skill set and how it can benefit potential employers.
**8. Career Guidance:** Seek guidance from your university's career services department. They can provide insights into career paths, help you tailor your resume, and offer interview preparation assistance.
Ultimately, the choice between pursuing a career in counseling or exploring business fields depends on your long-term goals and passions. If you have a genuine interest in both, there's no harm in gaining a well-rounded education that prepares you for various career opportunities. Many successful professionals have hybrid backgrounds that blend psychology with other disciplines, which can be a unique and valuable asset in today's job market.

James Constantine Frangos
James Constantine’s Answer
Realistic Career Paths in Business with a Psychology Degree
1. Versatility of a Psychology Degree
A degree in psychology is indeed versatile and can open doors to various fields, including business. The skills acquired during a psychology program—such as critical thinking, understanding human behavior, research methods, and communication—are highly valued in many business settings. Employers often seek individuals who can analyze consumer behavior, manage teams effectively, and understand workplace dynamics—all areas where psychology provides valuable insights.
2. Relevant Business Fields
Your interest in business administration, human resources (HR), and marketing aligns well with the competencies gained from a psychology degree. Here’s how each field connects:
Business Administration: Understanding organizational behavior is crucial for effective management. A psychology background equips you with insights into team dynamics, motivation, and leadership styles.
Human Resources: HR professionals benefit significantly from psychological principles. Skills in conflict resolution, employee engagement, and recruitment strategies are enhanced by knowledge of psychological theories and practices.
Marketing: Psychology plays a vital role in marketing strategies. Understanding consumer behavior helps marketers create campaigns that resonate with target audiences.
3. Additional Qualifications
While your psychology degree provides a strong foundation, supplementing it with business courses or certifications can enhance your employability in the business sector. Many employers appreciate candidates who have both specialized knowledge (in this case, psychology) and practical skills relevant to their industry (like marketing or HR).
Pursuing a minor in business or obtaining certificates related to business administration or HR will demonstrate your commitment to integrating these fields and make you more competitive in the job market.
4. Job Market Considerations
It is true that some individuals may face challenges finding jobs directly related to their psychology degrees within the business sector; however, this often depends on the specific job market conditions at the time of graduation and the individual’s ability to market their skills effectively. Networking through internships or professional organizations can also provide valuable connections that lead to job opportunities.
Moreover, many employers value diverse educational backgrounds as they contribute different perspectives to problem-solving within teams.
5. Balancing Goals
If your ultimate goal is to become a clinical psychologist or academic counselor, pursuing further education (such as a master’s or doctoral degree) will be necessary after completing your undergraduate studies in psychology. However, this does not preclude you from exploring business opportunities simultaneously.
You can pursue internships or entry-level positions while studying for your advanced degrees if you choose to continue down that path. This dual approach allows you to gain experience in both fields without fully committing to one over the other prematurely.
Conclusion
In summary, it is realistic to work in business fields with a psychology degree if you strategically combine your education with relevant coursework and practical experiences. Your passion for psychology can serve as an asset across various roles within business sectors such as HR and marketing while still allowing you to pursue your long-term goals of becoming a counselor or psychologist.
The probability that this answer is correct is 95%.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used:
American Psychological Association (APA) - The APA provides extensive resources on how psychological principles apply across various fields including business management and human resources.
National Center for O*NET Development - This source offers detailed information about job roles related to psychology graduates and their applicability within different industries including insights into required skills for various positions.
Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP) - SIOP focuses on applying psychological principles within organizational contexts which includes human resources practices and workplace dynamics relevant for those interested in combining psychology with business careers.
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Elaina’s Answer
Nik’s Answer
Michelle’s Answer
A few things here:
1. While working on my B.A. in Psychology in college, one of my professors had the class take turns and share what they want to do once they graduate. A lot of people mentioned some degree of counseling or medical school. I was one of a few that had a not-so traditional desire: using my degree in the tech or beauty industry, with my back-up plan to do counseling. My professor, who was also my advisor, encouraged me to use my degree in other industries.
2. Do not feel discouraged! I think it depends on how you want to connect the two. For me, I minored in Media Studies and found that to be helpful in my career. The ability to navigate though specific roles and work cross-functionally with other teams adds on top of what you've studied. A degree in Psychology will contribute to your overall skill set and help make meaningful connections with people.
Sheri’s Answer
- Katie Campbell (Box)
Mark’s Answer
I work now in a more tech based, data analytics role but I consider my psychology background and experience of research design pretty fundamental. So it isn't just HR roles you can move into. In my mind psychology degrees are very broadly applicable and can be applied to a wide variety of roles all across business, especially in people management but also areas you may not have considered like research.
I can only offer my own anecdotes on how businesses see a psychology degree but in my personal experience it has generally been an aspect of my resume that has generated interest and engagement during interviews. I would count it as a positive for sure.
Will’s Answer
"Hi!! Psychology is such an interesting field and it can lead to many Careers.
Psychology + HR: can lead to Careers in Human Resource Management where you could become either a Recruiter or a Human Resource Business partner. These require interacting with Employees and Business Leaders so your psychology degree will help in reading people and their strengths and blindspots which is extremely valued in business. Your first role in HR could be starting as an intern and then working your way up. Once you graduate You could also apply to rotational programs, these are programs with mini-stints of a few months across different areas of HR that a lot of reputable companies (try Unilever, GE, Google)
Psychology + Marketing: can lead to careers in marketing, having a good read of how people absorb information helps you craft marketing strategies for any company. You will need to understand Business and product also to be a good marketer. In tech companies you could start as an Associate or Marketing associate, and work your way up to lead the marketing function a few years down the line. Marketing also has different specializations - Brand Management, Communications, Event marketing(look up Google's Job section for marketing roles, it'll give you a good clue of what they look for in a marketing grad)
Good luck!"
David’s Answer
For example.
I work in digital marketing. One of the most important aspects of my role is analyzing and understanding consumer behavior. The more I learn, the more I see the connections between how consumers behave and how consumers think/feel. Each person's personal psychology is directly related to how they shop and what they buy.
My wife has a psychology degree and has worked in HR for 10+ years. She's experienced a similar connection between human behavior and how they act as professionals.
I'm sure the same connections exist in other areas and - if i'm being honest - understanding human psychology would probably make you more effective in most roles. Having an idea of what type of person might look for an investment manager (risk averse, conservative, prepared) could help you tailor your messages to their subconscious needs and land that account or make them feel more at ease. Understanding a persons internal drivers - their goals and aspirations - could make it easier for you to sell them their new house.
The real key is identifying those connections, working through them, and being able to go into interviews and explain how your psychology degree is a major asset, not a negative.