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What kinds of jobs can you get with a psychology degree that don't require a lot of social interaction?

I don't like people but I want to study psychology

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Subject: Career question for you

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Kimberly’s Answer

I actively conduct research in psychology, and I get some social anxiety here and there, but you can't entirely avoid talking to people. However, in research, there's not much talking involved, but it depends on your research topic, and if you have a mentor in mind, or if you decide to work with other people. It just depends.

If you're passionate about psychology but prefer minimal social interaction, there are several career paths to consider. Although many psychology professions involve working with people, there are also opportunities for more independent and behind-the-scenes roles. Here are a few examples:

Kimberly recommends the following next steps:

Industrial-Organizational Psychologist: Focus on applying psychological principles to workplace settings. This can involve tasks like conducting assessments, analyzing organizational data, developing training programs, and improving work processes. While there may be some interaction with colleagues or clients, it tends to be less extensive than in other areas of psychology.
Forensic Psychologist: Apply psychology to the criminal justice system. This field involves working on legal cases, conducting assessments, and providing expert testimony. While there may be some interaction with clients, much of the work involves analysis, report writing, and research.
Neuropsychologist: Study the relationship between brain function and behavior. This field often involves conducting assessments, analyzing data, and interpreting test results. While there may be some patient interaction during assessments, much of the work is focused on analyzing and interpreting findings.
Applied Researcher: Work for research organizations, think tanks, or consulting firms where you can conduct research and analysis on specific topics related to psychology. This can involve data analysis, report writing, and providing insights and recommendations.
Academic or Teaching Positions: Pursue a career in academia as a professor or lecturer in psychology. This role involves teaching courses, conducting research, and publishing academic papers. While there is some social interaction with students, a significant portion of the work can be independent.
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T.J.’s Answer

Hello Elizabeth!

There's two main paths you can go within psychology: practice or research.

Jobs that practice psychology includes social work. Jobs that involve researching psychology include more science-based work.

If you enjoy science (learning about the way things work) and want to continue adding knowledge to the field, you can go the 'research psychology' route. Most people who research don't interact with people nearly as much as people who practice psychology.

Here's a list of research psychology jobs that might interests you:
- https://psychology.camden.rutgers.edu/undergraduate/preparation/careers-in-research-psychology/

Also, check out these careers!
- https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/psychometrist
- https://www.psychology.org/careers/industrial-organizational-psychologist/

Note that whichever route you choose (practice or research), you will likely need a Master's degree to find specific career opportunities in the field.

Enjoy learning about careers and good luck finding work that fits well for you :)
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