Video:Tips for Choosing a Psychology Major

Transcript:Tips for Choosing a Psychology Major

Hi I’m Hollie Hancock, here today with About.com to discuss and give you a few tips for choosing a psychology major. I’ve used information from the About.com Psychology page, so you might want to check out the information there as well.

Study the Field of Psychology that Peaks Your Interest

You’re thinking about majoring in psychology? How can you determine if this major will fit your personality? Well, unfortunately the answers to these questions may lie in asking yourself some additional questions. First, what are your interests? Before you decide on a psychology major you need to consider your own preferences and interests. You want to be able to do something that you like doing. Check out About.com for information on the sub-fields in psychology and psychology career profiles. This may be helpful for you to understand what it is you might like to study.

Know What Education is Required for that Psychology Field

Next, do you plan to attend graduate schools? While there are jobs for psychology majors with undergraduate degrees, the opportunities and the higher salary potential for individuals with graduate degrees in psychology is greater.

Psychology Includes Working with People

Number three, do you enjoy working with others? The majority of psychology majors find themselves working in the human services field. Typically there are only a few folks in lab coats working with rats and mice. The pool of opportunities in the human services field is vast and deep. Individual and group counseling is a possibility for folks with a degree in psychology, as well as research, teaching, and consulting.

Consider How Well You Cope with Stress

A very important question to ask yourself before pursuing a psychology major is this: How well do you cope with stress? Working in any human service field is demanding both physically and emotionally. As such, professional burnout and frustration are common among helping professionals. It is crucial that you take care of yourself as you take care of others.

Whether your interests are in research, teaching, counseling, or consulting, be sure to carefully consider and review the questions covered in this short segment. Finally, a trip to your school counseling center or academic adviser might help you narrow your interests, thereby narrowing your scope of study in the field of psychology.

I’m Hollie Hancock with About.com. Be sure to visit us online.