By Kate Quick
“Bright Outlook Careers” refer to occupations or professions that are projected to have a significant growth rate, high demand for workers, or promising job opportunities in the future. These careers typically offer favorable prospects for employment, advancement, or earning potential due to factors such as technological advancements, demographic trends, or changes in the economy.”
Welcome to the blogpost series by the Education, Human Services, and Government Career Community that helps students and alumni explore careers within their area of study.
Psychology at DePaul University explores the scientific study of mind and behavior across the range of the human experience and contexts. Students who study psychology may be interested in learning how to address pressing issues and to untangle complex psychological, interpersonal or social problems. Through studying psychology, students can learn topics grounded in the fundamentals of the scientific method as well as learn about developed theories and research that shape our understanding of psychological issues in every domain of life.
Psychology students can find themselves working in many different industries post-graduation. Some of the most common industries include Counseling & Mental Health Services, Family & Community Services, Industrial & Organizational Services, and Educational Services.
The transferable skills and knowledge that can be leveraged into any field of work or industry. Here’s how you can use your Psychology degree to become any of the following Bright Outlook Careers:
Research Skills: Psychology involves a lot of research, analysis, and critical thinking. These skills are relevant in roles that require collecting, analyzing, implementing, and disseminating research to inform psychological practices and services.
Communication Skills: Psychology emphasizes strong communication skills, both written and verbal. These skills are valuable for working with others and conveying ideas clearly in professional contexts.
Interpersonal Skills: Psychology students should develop strong interpersonal skills, such as inclusivity, empathy, and authenticity. These are crucial for working effectively with diverse groups of people and being able to listen and respond appropriately to the ideas of others.
Self-Regulation & Time-Management: Psychology programs often require students to manage time through completing assigned tasks with little or no supervision. Students can display initiative and persistence through accepting and completing additional duties in a thorough, dependable manner and employing self-care strategies when necessary.
Critical Thinking & Analytical Skills: Psychology students often learn how to analyze complex issues, evaluate multiple points of evidence, and make informed decisions. These skills are valuable in roles that involve problem-solving and self-reflection.
Adaptability and Openness: Psychology programs often require that students engage in new experiences that may elicit feelings of discomfort or the need to adjust to changing circumstances. These skills can allow students to respond in a flexible, proactive, and civil manner when changes occur.
Advocacy: Psychology programs often require students to engage in work beyond the classroom or their professional environment. Students should learn how to speak out against injustice and engage in efforts that engage and serve the communities of those that they work with.
Counseling & Mental Health Services
Counseling and mental health services encompass a wide range of professional interventions and supports aimed at addressing individuals’ psychological, emotional, and behavioral well-being. Services promote emotional well-being, addressing mental health disorders, and enhancing individuals’ quality of life through personalized and professional support.
Mental Health & Substance Abuse Social Workers
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers assess and treat individuals with mental, emotional, or substance abuse problems, with an emphasis on the individual’s role in various societal groups and systems. Common responsibilities include individual and group therapy, crisis intervention, case management, client advocacy, prevention, and education. Most states require prospective social workers to attend graduate school and to receive a Master’s of Social Work (MSW) degree before licensure.
Marriage & Family Therapists
Marriage and Family Therapists diagnose and treat mental disorders within the context of marriage and family systems. These professionals must be knowledgeable in family systems theories and techniques that assist in the delivery of services to individuals, couples, and families. Most states require prospective marriage and family therapists to attend graduate school and to obtain a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) license.
Mental Health, Substance Abuse, & Behavioral Disorder Counselors
Each of these professionals counsel individuals and groups to promote optimum mental and emotional health, with an emphasis on prevention. Counselors assist with a broad range of mental health issues, such as addiction and substance abuse, family, parenting, and marital problems, stress management, self-esteem, or life transitions. Most states require prospective counselors to attend graduate school and to obtain a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) license.
Clinical & Counseling Psychologists
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists are responsible for the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental and emotional disorders of individuals. Psychologists often specialize in assessment and evidence-based therapies. Most states require prospective psychologists to attend a doctoral program and to obtain either a PsyD or PhD degree before being eligible for licensure.
Note that for all of these pathways and most other Counseling & Mental Health Service jobs, students must attend graduate school to be eligible for state accreditation and licensure.
DePaul University students interested in working in counseling and mental health setting should pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and choose the Human Services concentration. This course of study offers students theoretical preparation and ample opportunities to earn course credit for fieldwork conducted outside the classroom and to gain practical experience in the helping professions. Some ways that this course of study prepares students for helping professions is that it:
- Promotes students’ ability to understand individuals in their ecological context with particular attention to diversity.
- Provides foundational knowledge and applied experience with ethical and legal issues relevant to the helping professions.
- Adds an experiential dimension to the academic program by providing an opportunity to apply concepts and ideas learned in the classroom to a work setting.
- Provides supervision to students to promote their problem-solving skills in a professional environment.
- Assists students in developing self-reflection and self-care skills.
- Strengthens students’ confidence in their ability to function effectively in a professional setting.
- Provides information on careers and academic programs in the helping professions.
- Provides students with an opportunity to explore career possibilities in the mental health field on a first-hand basis.
- Enhances students’ employability in their chosen human services field by providing them with work experience in that field.
See more on the Human Services Concentration homepage.
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Family & Community Services
Family and community services refer to a broad range of programs, supports, and interventions aimed at promoting the well-being, stability, and functioning of families and communities. These services typically encompass various aspects of social work, counseling, advocacy, and education to address the diverse needs of individuals within families and communities.
Child and Family Social Workers provide social services and assistance to improve the social and psychological functioning of children and their families. They also often serve as liaisons between students, homes, schools, family services, child guidance clinics, courts, protective services, doctors, and other contacts to help children who face systemic problems, such as disabilities, abuse, or poverty. Most states require prospective social workers to attend graduate school and to receive a Master’s of Social Work (MSW) degree before licensure eligibility.
Community Health Workers promote health within a community by assisting individuals adopt healthy behaviors and by serving as an advocate for equitable health through helping individuals effectively communicate with healthcare providers or social service agencies. Other common responsibilities include the implementation of programs that improve individual and community health, the delivering of health-related preventive services and screenings, and data collection to help identify community health needs.
Social & Community Service Managers
Social and Community Service Managers plan, direct, and coordinate social service programs or community outreach organization’s activities and oversee the budget and policies regarding participant involvement, program requirements, and benefits. Their work often involves directing social workers, counselors, or probation officers.
DePaul University students interested in working in the community to serve children and families should consider the follow pathways:
- Bachelor of Arts with a Human Development concentration. This is suited for those who want to focus their studies on children and adolescence.
- Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a Community concentration. This is suited for those who like to advocate for others and work towards positive organizational or community change to address real-world issues, such as violence, substance abuse, chronic illness and mental health problems among diverse, at-risk populations.
Both these concentrations offer students opportunities specialized coursework and ample opportunities to engage in field-based work.
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Educational Services
Educational services refer to a broad range of programs, activities, and resources designed to support learning and development across various stages of life. These services are typically provided by educational institutions, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations with the goal of promoting knowledge acquisition, skill development, and intellectual growth.
School Social Workers, Counselors, & Psychologists
School Social Workers, Counselors, and Psychologists participate in the diagnosis and implementation of individual or schoolwide interventions and strategies to address educational, behavioral, or developmental issues that adversely impact educational functioning. Each addresses student learning and behavioral problems through counseling students or families and consulting with other school personnel. Most states require prospective school social workers, counselors, or psychologists to attend graduate school and to obtain a graduate degree (MEd or EdD) before licensure eligibility.
Educational, Guidance, & Career Counselors & Advisors
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors & Advisors counsel students regarding educational issues, such as class scheduling and registration, school adjustment, study habits, and career planning as well as help them overcome personal, social, or behavioral problems affecting their educational or vocational goals. They often work with parents/ guardians, teachers, administrators, and other professionals to discuss students’ progress, resolve behavioral, academic, and other problems, and determine priorities for students and their needs. Most states require that prospective educational, guidance, and career counselors & advisors attend graduate school and receive a master’s degree in education to be eligible for these positions.
Special Education Specialists & Teachers
Special Education Teachers and Specialists play a critical role in providing specialized instruction and support to students with disabilities or special needs. Their primary objective is to ensure that all students, regardless of their abilities or challenges, have access to quality education and opportunities for learning and growth. Most states require that prospective special education teachers and specialists attend an education program and obtain a Professional Educator License to be eligible for these positions.
Instructional Coordinators develop instructional material, coordinate educational content, and incorporate current technology into instruction in order to provide guidelines to educators and instructors developing curricula and conducting courses. They often evaluate the performance of educational staff, assist in the training of teachers and administrators, and advise educators on curricula, instructional methods, or policies. Prospective students interested in instructional coordinator need to obtain a bachelor’s degree and often a master’s degree in educational leadership, curriculum studies, or a related program.
DePaul University students interested in Educational Services should consider adding a Major or Minor from the College of Education to supplement their Psychology degree.
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Industrial & Organizational Services
Industrial and organizational (I/O) psychology services, often referred to as industrial and organizational services, focus on applying psychological principles and methods to improve workplace environments, productivity, and employee well-being. These services are crucial in enhancing organizational effectiveness, fostering positive work cultures, and supporting employee development
Training & Development Specialists
Training and Development Specialists design and conduct work-related training and development programs to improve individual or organizational performance. They also often evaluate modes of training delivery, such as in-person or virtual, to optimize training effectiveness, training costs, or environmental impacts, assess training needs through surveys, interviews with employees, focus groups, or consultation with managers, instructors, or customer representatives, and offer specific training programs to help workers maintain or improve job skills.
Human Resource Managers serve as a link between management and employees by handling questions, interpreting and administering contracts, resolving work-related problems and advise managers on organizational policy matters, such as equal employment opportunity and sexual harassment, and recommending needed changes. Other tasks include analyzing and modifying compensation and benefits policies to establish competitive programs and to ensure compliance with legal requirements and performing staffing duties such as dealing with understaffing, refereeing disputes, firing employees, and administering disciplinary procedures.
Industrial-Organizational Psychologists
Industrial-Organizational Psychologists apply principles of psychology to human resources, administration, management, sales, and marketing problems. Common responsibilities include policy planning, employee testing and selection, training, and development, and organizational development and analysis. They commonly use data analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of workplace programs and to develop interview techniques, rating scales, and psychological tests to assess skills, abilities, and interests for the purpose of employee selection, placement, or promotion. Students interested in a career as an I/O Psychologist should consider attending graduate school, as most psychologists need a master’s or doctoral degree.
DePaul University students interested in working in industrial and organizational roles should consider pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a concentration in Industrial/Organizational. This concentration is designed for students interested in systems of human resources, such as assessments, surveys, training, needs analysis, competency modeling and performance management, and human behavior, such as leadership, group dynamics and motivation.
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In closing, exploring Bright Outlook Careers is crucial for students and alumni to navigate the evolving landscape of employment opportunities. With a foundational understanding of fields like Psychology, students can develop their skills and knowledge to thrive in diverse industries, shaping the future of society and their own professional trajectories.
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Not sure what the future holds? Need support along the way? That’s exactly where we come in. Whether you’re a freshman or an alumnus, it’s never too early (or too late) to utilize our services.
Book an appointment with Kate, or another member of the advising community through Handshake, or by calling the front desk at (773) 325-7431.