If you have a psychology degree and are looking for an alternative career path, there are broad and varied opportunities available. Whether you’re working as a registered psychologist or practicing in an area of endorsement, you can use your existing skills to launch a brand-new career outside of the psychology field.
From human resources to nursing, having a psychology degree gives you a distinct advantage in different roles where your unique skills and expertise are highly valued. This article outlines the typical jobs that arise from a psychology degree and highlights some alternative roles to consider if you’re exploring a career change into a new industry.
Traditional jobs for qualified psychologists
Psychology is recognised as a diverse and rewarding profession. The broad range of roles a psychologist can pursue depends on their strengths, interests and whether they wish to obtain general registration or pursue an area of practice endorsement (AoPE). Psychologists can work in various sectors, provided it is within their scope of practice and they have the requisite skills and training to work in that designated setting or demographic. For example, a psychologist with general registration uses different psychological approaches to assess, diagnose and treat various behavioural and mental health conditions. General psychologists can work in schools, hospitals, community health centres, private practice, and research and education.
In contrast, a psychologist with additional qualifications in one or more areas of endorsement can work in a specific area of interest relevant to that niche field. For instance, an educational and developmental psychologist works with children and adolescents to support their learning and social development, operating in schools or private practice. On the other hand, a forensic psychologist works in law courts to provide expertise in legal proceedings and may work in family services or rehabilitation services. There are nine different types of psychology to pursue as an AoPE, each able to work in various workplace settings.
Understanding the conventional career options available to psychologists can help determine which educational and career paths to take. However, it’s helpful to know that there are other job opportunities to explore where you can utilise your expertise and grow professionally.
A psychology degree equips you with important transferable skills, such as critical thinking, emotional intelligence, collaboration and effective communication. These skills are invaluable in professional environments, both within the psychology profession and beyond.
Alternative career paths for psychologists
Here are some compelling alternative career paths to consider:
1. Advertising and marketing
Advertising companies strive to leverage insights into people’s thoughts and feelings and what drives their purchasing decisions to create targeted and effective advertising campaigns. Psychologists are experts in human behaviour and understand the different biopsychosocial factors that drive people to do what they do.
This may translate to understanding consumer behaviour in different contexts, especially when deeply personal or emotional factors drive buying decisions. A psychologist’s knowledge of persuasion, empathy and strong communication skills may also be invaluable in a marketing role to help businesses succeed and foster connections with their audience. These qualities can make transitioning into marketing and advertising a natural fit for psychologists seeking a dynamic and creative career opportunity.
2. Human resources (HR)
Similar to advertising roles, psychologists’ knowledge of human behaviour can make them ideal candidates for HR roles. Their expertise in understanding personality traits, conflict resolution and mediation skills can help shape workplace culture and support learning and development initiatives.
The skills gained from a psychology degree can help ensure team members feel heard and help cultivate a collaborative, supportive and harmonious workplace. A psychologist’s mental health and wellness knowledge is especially relevant to employee wellbeing positions within HR.
They can design and implement programs to support employees' mental health, including providing resources for stress management, promoting a culture of self-care and ensuring staff are engaged and motivated in their work. This has upstream effects on retention and supporting overall organisational goals.
3. Teaching
Teaching is an ideal career alternative for individuals with a psychology degree, especially if they also have educational and developmental psychology experience. Their awareness of neurodiversity, cognition, social development and different learning styles enables them to design and implement teaching methods that cater to students' needs. This may be particularly useful in school settings, higher education or for corporate training.
Communication and interpersonal skills are also highly sought-after transferable skills for teaching in order to build trust and nurture growth within students. Compassion and empathy support positive relationships, while problem-solving and creative thinking skills enhance adaptability and help address challenges in the teaching environment.
Psychology graduates develop a strong sense of moral responsibility and ethics throughout their degree, learning to protect people from harm, promote their wellbeing and respect their confidentiality. This foundation helps teachers with a psychology background to navigate sensitive situations and take a student-centred approach to attaining the best outcomes. These ethical principles gained through psychology are crucial for fostering a safe and supportive learning environment for students.
4. Social work
A psychology degree sets a strong foundation for a career in social work, allowing you to make a meaningful impact working with children, families or vulnerable adults to improve their quality of life and wellbeing.
Providing essential support in the form of crisis intervention or family counselling gives you the chance to assess clients' needs and use advanced problem-solving skills to address their unique and complex challenges. In addition to clinical social work roles, there are opportunities to lead advocacy campaigns focused on mental health and community development. These roles allow you to drive social change and positively influence communities.
Prior knowledge of the importance of individual and social welfare plays an integral part in the everyday responsibilities of a social worker. These perspectives make psychologists well-suited for success in social work.
If you have a prior tertiary qualification in psychology, you’re eligible to apply for the University of Canberra’s Master of Social Work (Qualifying) course and kickstart your social work career. This globally recognised postgraduate degree offers online flexibility, led by industry experts, practical field placements and the skills to succeed in various social work roles.
5. Academia and research
Academic and research jobs utilise data synthesis and abstract thinking skills, which are skills psychologists develop during their studies and within their career. Luke Lawrence from Explore Psychology says that his professional experience has helped him hone important data analysis skills and finer attention to detail.
Thinking ‘outside the box’ is necessary to help understand complex concepts away from real-world experiences, which helps drive innovative solutions. Abstract thinking facilitates advanced problem-solving and analysis without relying entirely on prior knowledge. These skills, combined with strong time management and effective writing skills, give psychology graduates a solid basis to transition into academia or research-oriented careers.
6. Nursing
People pivoting from a career in psychology bring unique and helpful perspectives to the nursing profession. Their knowledge of the human mind, mental health, compassion and interpersonal skills mean they are likely to be well-equipped to provide nursing care and connect with patients holistically. Their ability to assess mental health conditions and provide empathetic support can significantly enhance the quality of care, particularly in areas like mental health nursing, women’s health, palliative care and community health settings.
Problem-solving and analytical skills translate effectively to nursing, as does the ability to observe non-verbal communication and subtle behavioural changes. Understanding a patient’s physical, mental and emotional presentation can help determine the best mode of treatment and care. Moving into nursing allows psychology professionals to leverage their existing expertise. It enables them to profoundly impact patients’ health through a broader knowledge base and approach to health care.
A range of postgraduate nursing courses are available to psychologists looking to diversify their career paths:
The Graduate Certificate in Women’s and Children’s Health from the University of Technology Sydney Online equips students to move into nursing and healthcare roles in the dynamic area of women's and children's health.
Southern Cross University Online’s Graduate Diploma of Mental Health Nursing can help build on existing mental health knowledge while developing the additional skills to care for people with mental health challenges in a diverse range of mental health nursing settings.
Victoria University Online’s Master of Nursing (Chronic Disease and Ageing) helps graduates optimise care for patients with multiple comorbidities, ensuring better health outcomes for people with complex conditions and those in aged care.
7. Government and policy development
Psychologists can bring a wealth of transferable skills to roles in government, advisory and policy development. Their expertise in planning, decision-making and managing tasks allows them to navigate complex projects and meet organisational objectives.
Luke talks about the skills he has developed working in his practice. “As I have managed my own private practice, I have acquired skills in the area of small business management such as tax planning, budgeting and time management.” These skills have helped prepare him for other roles outside of being a psychologist. “I feel that I am now able to work in other fields and roles such as consulting and leadership.”
Working independently and staying focused under pressure are all important qualities that psychology graduates may bring to government or policy-related roles. The ability to facilitate discussions, encourage collaboration and work with diverse demographics, including youth, women and multicultural communities, are also highly desirable skills in these roles. Psychologists are well-placed to make a positive impact with developing policies and programs that address the unique challenges faced by different groups within society.
Why psychologists might consider pivoting to a new field
Below are some potential reasons why psychologists might consider using their transferable skills to forge a new career path in a different industry.
- Burnout and mental fatigue: The demanding nature of psychology work with high caseloads can lead to professional burnout. As a result, many psychologists can experience compassion fatigue and a reduced focus on clients. This may prompt the need to step away from work for either a temporary break or a permanent career switch.
- Poor work-life balance: Long hours, busy schedules and the emotional intensity of working in clinical practice can sometimes make it difficult for psychologists to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Seeking an alternative career option that supports this balance may be an attractive change that psychologists may consider.
- Desire for new challenges: Over time, some psychologists may feel they have mastered their current role and want to explore new professional challenges. The desire for novelty and career expansion can be a motivator to explore opportunities for growth in uncharted roles and industries.
- Evolving career aspirations: Switching to a different career can be a way for psychologists to realign their work with their evolving passions and goals, ensuring they remain fulfilled and engaged in their professional lives. During their career, interests and priorities can shift and new opportunities may present themselves in a fresh way.
Luke believes that prospective and practising psychologists should feel confident that their degree and professional experience gives them options, saying “it’s reassuring for people to know that they’re not locking themselves in.”
He says if he were to consider working in another area outside of psychology practice,there are many fields he’d explore. "I would consider working to support injured or sick people get back to work (occupational rehabilitation consulting), business consulting, mentorship and/or leadership and even scientific data analysis."
Leverage your psychology expertise to explore new opportunities
Venturing into alternative roles outside of the psychology profession begins with self-reflection and taking some practical steps:
Explore your interests
Think about which industry excites and motivates you outside the psychology profession. If you’re considering moving into another healthcare role, understanding your personality type can help shed light on the ideal role to consider. For example, if you enjoy communicating and feel you have natural teaching abilities, a career in education using your psychology degree as a backdrop may be a worthy pursuit.
Start networking
The power of networking is that it can help you form valuable connections and identify what job openings will be available. Attending conferences, seminars or community and social events can be useful for building professional relationships in the sector of your choice. Joining LinkedIn, SEEK, Indeed and other online job communities can be a helpful strategy for staying abreast of the latest opportunities and trends relevant to your new career path. You can leverage the experience of mentors or fellow psychology graduates who have progressed into alternative areas and hear their insights on how to make a career change.
Volunteer to gain experience
Getting hands-on experience through volunteer work in the specific area you’re considering may also be worthwhile. Obtaining relevant experience helps refine your choices and adds to your employability in the future. In some instances, volunteer work can lead to permanent employment if the opportunity arises.
Upskill with additional qualifications
Enrol in a related course to build new skills relevant to your future career. Expanding your knowledge with postgraduate study helps clarify your study interests and opens doors to higher credentials in your chosen field. It also demonstrates your commitment to ongoing learning and your desire for career progression to future employers. By staying proactive and open-minded, you can harness your psychology degree and expand into new professional paths.
Unlock new opportunities with your psychology degree
Psychology offers a diverse career landscape within the profession itself and in many other sectors. Beyond the traditional roles, fields like marketing, HR, teaching and academia are increasingly seeking the unique perspectives that psychology graduates bring.
If you’re ready for a fresh start in a new field, consider pursuing postgraduate study for a successful transition into your chosen career path. GlobalHealth Education’s university partners have a range of courses suited to your study needs and career goals. Discover courses in social work, public health, counselling, nursing, leadership and mental health.
Explore our course catalogue, choose a course and speak to a Student Enrolment Advisor today to start your new career. You can also book a call with our Education Consultant to ask general questions related to advancing your healthcare career.
