Share
Psychology is an incredibly popular field of education, which can make competition for jobs a bit fierce. However, there are a wide range of careers within this field that are positioned to be increasingly in high demand in the coming years. In this article, we'll explore the fastest growing psychology careers that you can pursue with a degree in psychology in order to help you choose a rewarding career that is perfectly suited for your skillet and interests.
Psychologist Job Outlook
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), "overall employment of psychologists is projected to grow 8 percent from 2020 to 2030, about as fast as the average for all occupations." The BLS also lists the median salary for psychologists is $105,780 per year.
It’s important to note that this outlook covers the broad field of psychology. Within this domain, certain specialized areas are expected to experience even more rapid growth. For instance, clinical roles are predicted to expand significantly due to rising demand in healthcare. Similarly, the need for school-based professionals is increasing, driven by greater recognition of the link between mental health and educational success.
14 Psychology Jobs in High Demand
There are a number of unique and interesting psychology fields in demand. Just a few of the exciting and rapidly growing jobs you can attain with a bachelor's degree in psychology include roles such as:
1. Vocational/Career Counselor
Vocational/career counselors are charged with helping people find career paths that match their skills, experience, and interests. Career counselors are often employed by higher learning institutions but are also employed by various government departments and social service agencies. If you are interested in helping people find their ideal career and you’re good at identifying skills in others, then a career as a vocational/career counselor is a great way to put those abilities to use.
2. School Psychologist
As previously mentioned, demand for school psychologists is expected to increase at a faster than average rate due to an increased focus on mental health within the education system. In this role, your job will be to help students overcome any mental or emotional issues so that they are able to reach their full academic potential. If you enjoy working with teenagers or young children, then a job as a school psychologist can be a highly rewarding career.
3. Family Marriage Counselor
Family marriage counselors work with couples to help them overcome whatever issues might be impacting their marriage in addition to helping people work through other family-related issues. They are commonly employed by private counseling practices but are also often employed by organizations such as nursing homes and residential care facilities. If you are interested in helping families and couples develop stronger, more beneficial relationships, then a career as a family marriage counselor is an excellent option to consider.
4. Engineering Psychologist
Engineering psychologists are charged with studying the correlation between technology and human behavior to help companies design products that are more user-friendly. They collaborate with engineering teams to ensure that technology meets user needs. If you have a passion for both technology and understanding human behavior, this field might be ideal for you.
5. Industrial-Organizational (I/O) Psychologist
I/O psychologists focus on workplace behavior, aiming to enhance performance, communication, and job satisfaction. They are employed by organizations to improve workforce dynamics. If you are interested in applying behavioral principles to the business environment, this career could be a good match.
6. Clinical Psychologist
One of the largest specialty areas within the field is clinical psychology which focuses on the treatment of mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders. As the name suggests, clinical psychologists typically work within a healthcare setting such as a hospital or clinic. If you want a career that combines healthcare with mental health support, this role offers a fulfilling path.
7. Forensic Psychologist
Forensic psychologists work with law enforcement to provide consultation regarding criminal behavior in addition to performing tasks such as serving as expert witnesses during trials, aiding in investigations, and designing treatment programs for the criminally insane. If you are drawn to both law and mental health, this profession might be suitable.
8. Geropsychologist
Geropsychologists specialize in addressing the psychological needs of the elderly, helping them maintain quality of life in their later years. They are employed by nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and hospice services. With the aging population growing, this career is in demand for those who enjoy working with older adults.
9. Social Worker
Social workers can be employed by either government agencies or private companies to protect vulnerable children and families that are in need of assistance. Social workers strive to help people cope with a wide range of life challenges, from being diagnosed with a terminal illness to becoming a foster parent. If you would like a career that affords you the opportunity to give back to your community and make a difference in the lives of the people who need help the most, then a career as a social worker is an excellent choice.
10. Neuropsychologist
Neuropsychologists work within the biological side of psychology to study the relationship between the brain and human behavior. Most neuropsychologists are employed in clinical settings to assist with patients who have experienced behavioral changes due to a brain injury or disease, though some work primarily as researchers. If you are fascinated by the human brain and its impact on behavior, working as a this field may be an incredibly rewarding career to consider.
11. Market Research Analyst
Marketing and psychology are closely intertwined, with companies across all industries striving to design ads that will appeal to people as strongly as possible. With this being the case, most major corporations employ marketing research analysts with backgrounds in psychology as part of their marketing team. Marketing research analysts apply the principles of psychology to help design ads and marketing campaigns that will have the desired behavioral effect on consumers. If you would like to pursue a career that incorporates both marketing and psychology, there are plenty of companies looking for marketing research analysts to join their marketing team.
12. Genetics Counselor
Genetics counselors work to consult patients and healthcare providers alike regarding inherited conditions. Most genetics counselors work in clinical settings, with some working in a purely research capacity. Given that the field of genetics is relatively new and still ripe with opportunity, the job growth of genetics counselors is expected to climb at a faster than average pace.
13. Sports Psychologist
Sports psychologists work with athletes within both collegiate and professional sports to help them improve their performance through the application of psychological methods and principles. Sports psychologists are often employed by the university or organization that is fielding the team they work with, though many choose to work as freelance consultants or as part of a third-party firm. If you are passionate about both sports and mental strategies, this career could be highly fulfilling.
14. Substance Abuse Counselor
Substance abuse counselors work with those who are struggling with addiction to help them overcome their illness and any mental conditions associated with it. Due in no small part to the country's raging opioid epidemic, the demand for substance abuse counselors is high. While this is no doubt unfortunate, it does create a potentially rewarding career for anyone who would like to commit themselves to helping those who need it most.
Kickstart Your Psychology Career with a Degree from University of the Cumberlands
At University of the Cumberlands, we are proud to offer a number of excellent degree programs within the field of psychology, including undergraduate degrees as well as master’s degrees and doctoral degrees. Through these accredited degree programs, we are able to prepare students for a wide range of fascinating and rewarding psychology careers.
If you are interested in learning more about the psychology degree programs offered at University of the Cumberlands, contact an admissions counselor or request more information today.
Share