Psychology Introduction There are various options available to Psychology graduates including going into employment, taking further study, starting your own business or taking a year out to travel or volunteer. This factsheet will help you look at career and further study ideas. We recommend that you also view the Career Planning Action factsheet as this will help you consider what you would like to do.
Skills & Employability The BA Psychology at Bishop Grosseteste University is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) which will allow you to continue onto a wide variety of Psychology related careers. Go to the British Psychological Society (BPS) website for further information - www.bps.org.uk. A Psychology degree provides excellent skills for almost all areas of employment. Skills include: Analytical critical and research ability Decision making Effective communication and listening skills Influence and persuasion Independent thought Interpersonal skills Plan and write reports Research, interpret and organise information Work independently or as part of a team ICT You will also have gained many skills from work, volunteering or extra-curricular activities. When exploring your options you will need to find out about the skills and experience required for the careers you are interested in and consider if you have any gaps and how you can fill them ready for when you graduate. Your employability will be further improved if you undertake work experience and relevant postgraduate qualifications.
Career ideas - the following ideas may require further training or qualifications. Related Careers
Coaching or Counselling Psychology Occupational Psychology Educational or Health Psychologist Psychology Assistant High Intensity Therapist Sports Psychology Marketing and Consumer Psychology Teaching and Research Psychology
Alternative Career Ideas Advice worker Human Resources Civil Service Social Work Community Development Workers Teacher Action Points to help you recognise your skills and improve your employability See the Employability factsheet Skills Assessment - go to the BG Futures pages on the website, select ‘Make yourself Employable’, ‘and ‘Skills Assessment’.
Research Careers. There are hundreds of different types of jobs and at least 40% of these are open to graduates of any subject. Conducting research to find out the entry requirements or what experience is needed for a job can help you decide if you are able to or still want to pursue a certain career path. Job Profiles. The best place to start researching a career is to view job profiles. These short factsheets usually include:
Typical work activities Salary
Training Entry requirements
Career Development Typical employers
The best place to start researching a career is to view job profiles. These short factsheets usually include:
Graduate Prospects - www.prospects.ac.uk/types_of_jobs.htm TARGETjobs - www.targetjobs.co.uk National Careers Service - https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk The Jobs Crowd - www.thejobcrowd.com (Reviews of jobs by employees)
Employers and professional organisations You can often find out about jobs from employers themselves via their website. You can also find out about types of jobs from professional organisations own websites which will often include career and training information. View the find job opportunities and work experience section for more information.
Postgraduate / Further Study There are various levels and types of postgraduate study; find out more by going to: www.prospects.ac.uk/about_postgrad_study.htm
Postgraduate / further study subject ideas
Chartered Psychologist Clinical/Health Psychology Education Psychology Forensic Psychology
Human Resources Occupational Psychology Sport Psychology Teaching
Start your own business You may consider starting your own business or becoming self-employed. View the Self-employment (factsheet) https://issuu.com/bgcareers/docs/self_employment
Gap year A gap year can be in the UK or overseas. You can do this to earn money to fund further study, gain work or life experience and to help you decide what you would like to do. View the factsheets ‘Working Overseas’ and ‘Vacation work and gap year job hunting’ for further information - https://issuu.com/bgcareers/docs/working_overseas and https://issuu.com/bgcareers/docs/vacation_and_gap_year_job_hunting
Research Action Points Go to the Resource Centre in Hardy where staff can answer your questions and you have access to resources. BG Futures module on Blackboard: ‘Explore your options’ /’Job Sectors’ folder; ‘Postgraduate Study’ section. Jobs+ Vacancies (http://bishopg.prospects.ac.uk/). Search for Employers via the Employers directory
Find job opportunities and work experience Networking
Key Employers
Using your contacts is one of the best ways to find out about job opportunities. You can build these up through work experience, volunteering, family and friends. You can join the Networking Club run via BG Futures. This club offers the opportunity to meet up with employers to find out about their job role and their organisation.
There are a number of key employers in this sector. The following links contain information about their organisation, the type of jobs available and information about jobs and work experience. www.nhscareers.nhs.uk NHS Careers www.psychapp.co.ukPsychologist appointments www.bupa.co.uk BUPA UK www.bmihealthcare.co.uk BMI Health www.communitycare.co.uk Community Care Professional organisations www.bps.org.uk British Psychological Society www.hpc-uk.org Health Professional Council
You may also benefit from joining the professional networking site LinkedIn. This is an excellent way to make professional contacts, join discussion and networking groups. Action Points:
Essential Information:
Join the Networking Club Join LinkedIn, guide to using LinkedIn (factsheet) http://issuu.com/bgcareers/docs/linkedin.
Researching Employers (factsheet) Job Sector (factsheets) – Social, Guidance and Community Work/ Health/Public Services/Social Work/Charity Sector, available via Resource Centre or Blackboard Search for vacancies on the Jobs+ Vacancies Board - http://bishopg.prospects.ac.uk
Advice and Information Go to the Resource Centre in the Hardy Building with your initial enquiries or email bgfutures@bishopg.ac.uk. If you require advice with exploring your further study or career options you can book an appointment with a Careers Adviser. Please email bgfutures@bishopg.ac.uk to request an appointment booking form. www.thejobcrowd.com (Reviews of jobs by employees)
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What did other Psychology students do? These statistics are taken six months after graduation. Psychology BGU Psychology graduates 40% Working 55% Further Study 5 % Study and work 2013 national statistics for Psychology graduates published in 2014 by HECSU ‘what do graduate do?’ 60% Employed, 10% working and studying, 16% further study, 8% unemployed 1% Working Overseas 5% Other Jobs included: Business development manager Occupational therapist – self-employed Mental health worker – NHS Education officer – a charity Support worker – a mental health trust Substance misuse recovery worker – a charity Business support – professional body Social media officer – a design consultancy Marketing executive – a training company Research assistant – a university Art therapy assistant – a city council Care outreach assistant – a charity Learning support assistant – a school Beauty consultant – a cosmetic retailer Warehouse technician – a training company For statistics of courses at BGU, go to the Unistats website. http://unistats.direct.gov.uk/
BG Futures: Careers, Employability and Enterprise Operates in accordance with the University Diversity and Equality Policies. If you require this document in an alternative format, for example in large print, please email us at bgfutures@bishopg.ac.uk