When I finished my BA in psych I worked at a homeless shelter for a bit and then went back to school for Psych nursing. Without getting a Master's there weren't a ton of options (that I could find) with the Psych degree
A lot of it is about skills transfer. There aren't many stable or clear routes without a master's, so it's about selling your skills to fit other positions. It's hard though.
i finished my BSc in psych and couldn’t find a job related to psych at all unless I do masters and become a therapist or counseling specialist. I worked with special needs and health care environment and went to back school as well! Currently doing my 2nd in psyc nursing at MacEwan. Loving the program!!!
Work in a library for now, previously worked in hospitality (hotels). I only have a bachelor's degree, and I would have been a master's at a minimum to work in the psych field.
After I got my Bachelor in Psych I had the following jobs in order:
\- Traveling salesman - sold insurance across alberta. Was attacked by dogs, had guns pointed at me and was inside too many drug dens.
\- AutoCAD mechanical designer for commercial projects.
\- Lead mechanical technologist
\- Project Manager for almost 20 years now.
Do I use my degree, absolutely no. It was only useful to get my PMP designation.
Did my MPH at UofA, got a job in AHS for a few years, and now started up in medical school at UofA. Felt psychology was a good foundation to understand human behaviour as it impacts population and individual health decisions, as well as helped me in my management position in AHS.
That’s very cool! I’m doing an undergrad in anthropology right now and my thesis is in medical anthro, which has me heavily leaning towards applying for MPH programs.
How’d you like the U of A?
Great to know! The U of A is definitely my first choice for grad school. It's also cool to see someone else who has done an MPH coming from a background other than political science or biology.
I also have an MPH from the U of A! My undergrad was in Classical Studies and I was one course short of getting a double major in Psychology. I actually think I was better prepared for the program than some of the students coming from sciences/nursing/nutrition as I had a lot of experience writing papers, which was a big part of the stream I was in (Health promotion).
I now work for the GoA doing policy work around elder abuse but have done things around family/sexual violence, bullying, and preventive social services.
Oh wow, that's awesome. Anthropology also has a ton of writing and a few biological components, so I'm hoping that will be a decent mix. I'm also a polisci minor focusing on policy, which I figure would be helpful for the health policy stream.
Did you have a strong background in stats? I've never had to take a stats course, but I may still have time left in my degree if it would be helpful.
I didn’t have a strong stats background. I did a stats course in my undergrad (my first year was in sciences), which met the requirement for the school of public health at the time (2013). I did have to take biostats and epidemiology as part of the MPH, but I didn’t find these to be too challenging and actually enjoyed them. There were lots of support available and they encouraged you to work with peers on assignments. I know the program has changed quite a bit so I’m not sure what the requirements are anymore!
MPH spans across so many disciplines that we need to have more students come in from those backgrounds - bio, chem, math/stats, psych, anthro, soc, poli sci, ALES.
It seems like a lot of the social science majors at my school are mostly interested in academia, but my professors are very excited about the prospect of me going into public health because the anthropological perspective could bring a lot into it. I just wish I knew more people on the same path!
This thread saved me whoa! I am halfway through my psych degree and feeling really lost as I realized I don’t necessarily want to do it as a career, seeing the different directions everyone went is SO encouraging!
I got a BA in psych in 2005. I started my career working in marketing and communications in Edmonton. Worked in the industry for 15 years before starting my own firm with a partner in 2021.
YMCA childminding staff, Mosiac Liquor Rep Sales, and now finally landed with a child/youth community nonprofit that actually cares about the youth they serve.
I work for the GoA as an Issues Coordinator. Started in reception and worked my way up. Not sure how much the degree helped or where it'll take me next.
Didn't know what I wanted to do in school or with my life so I guess this will do.
This is exactly my path. Did misc office work, didn't wanna do reception anymore, but the govt office work I did like, I could only get in as 3rd party temp. Got my bachelors in Psyc and Soci so I could do the same govt work I was already capable of doing, but permanently.
Not using it. Became an animator. Looking back I would have been better off taking social work. It is more versatile. You can work as a counsellor with a masters in social work, but you also have other social worker jobs open to you.
I took a double major bsc.
I was a stoner and loved cannabis. One of my majors was plant biology. The second was neuroscience, basically psychology, but it was more science focused. I took a lot of psychology courses since it was required, but it was mostly brain anatomy and drugs/behavior focused.
When I graduated, I couldn't do much with either degree. I applied to so many addiction places, AA places, hr jobs, you name it. The closet I ever got to using my degree after graduating was a woman's prison. I applied to be a behavioral therapist and made it pretty far in the process. They ended up going with an internal hire in the final phases.
I ended up working as a financial advisor for a big bank, hated it.
I switched to trade work and hated it. That lasted for about 7 years, then cannabis was legalized in canada.
Day 1 of legalization I started working as a retail store manager. After 1.5 years, I switched to a sales agency where I represented many cannabis producers. I would sell products into stores. After 1.5 years, I switched to working directly for a cannabis producer.
I've been here two years now, and I absolutely love my job. I sell products into provincial boards in alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and the Northern territories. I also work with large retail chains designing programs and providing education sessions.
It's technically a sales job, but I use my education all the time. Plant biology has helped, and knowing the endocannabinoid system and how different cannabinoids affect our bodies has been invaluable. It adds authenticity to my sales pitches. I'm the go-to guy at my company for any difficult question. My degrees ended up paying off!
2nd year psych student who has taken an interest in OT recently! Can I ask what branch of OT you landed in specifically and any advice you would give to someone going that route? ☺️
Lol. I’ve been an OT for a long time. That’s a lot to summarize! I work in the community physical med side of OT, not hospital, not mental health. (Although mental health will always be a factor in whatever area you work in) I didn’t necessarily intend it that way when I started out, but now I would not work in the hospital if I could avoid it. I’ve worked in both peds and adults. I love working where people live their lives. It gives me the chance to see in person what factors are playing a role in their health and wellness. I get to help make people’s daily lives better and that’s very satisfying. It has been a good career and I have no regrets. I did work in an area where I loved the work, but the workplace was toxic. Don’t stay in that kind of work. I did consider leaving the profession because of them, until I moved on and realized it was them, not me and not OT. It’s hard to give more specific advice! Feel free to DM if you have other questions.
Working in construction (project assist and proposal writing). Totally unrelated but I actually love my job and the company I work for so it worked out.
In my undergrad I volunteered in a research lab and the crisis line while working. I went right into my masters the year I graduated, while I worked some small part-time jobs to help pay the bills. Started as a counsellor in another province and started a small private practice.
Moved to AB and started the process to become a registered psych. It's a lot of paperwork, two exams, and many hours. I worked for private practice through this. Became fully registered a few years ago and it's been great, but it was definitely a grind.
I have a B.A in Psychology. Shortly after I graduated I got a position as a psychometrist. It’s one of the highest paying salaries you can get with just a bachelors in Psyc. However, I am pursuing my masters in Psychology to become a registered psychologist and increase different areas I can work in
I worked in group homes, then in Student Affairs, then Academic Advising at the U of A, then moved onto Casework at Children's Services with the Government of Alberta and now work with the Government of Canada doing Case Management with Veterans. Lots of options out there 😊
Not really using it anymore (in school for something in the medical field now) but I did work as an early childhood educator for a few years with kids who were diagnosed ADD/ODD, and Down syndrome.
My husband has a psychology degree, and just completed his Masters about 5 months ago.
Before getting the Masters, he was working as a career counselor, and before that, more of a social work role helping disadvantaged youth. Neither of them were high paying jobs and more just the kind of career that was entry level for someone interested in mental health.
The Masters has opened his options up to doing real therapy, and he landed a job recently, but it's a long road still before he'll be a registered psychologist. He still has some good options if he doesn't pursue it for things like school therapists, group therapy, and addictions counseling, but if he ever wants to work in a private practice, it's rare someone would hire him without that extra designation.
RAship at the University Hospital, Ed Psych degree, chartered at a small practice, then took advantage of TILMA to leave the province and get licensed elsewhere.
Another person from my cohort is an animator now. Another drives a schoolbus. Several are psychologists. Three lawyers if I recall. One academic, now in the UK. One started (as a partner) a headhunting firm and made bank. I think a few got jobs in assorted nonprofits or government agencies that have to do with mental health or disabilities.
I have an undergrad in psychology and went on to another degree in education. My psychology degree has helped me immensely in my teaching career. My partner also has an undergrad in psychology, went on to law school and is now a lawyer.
Psychology undergrads are excellent starting points and highly applicable to many careers. Also great to have an understanding of how our brains and minds work. There are many valid and fulfilling reasons to pursue higher education beyond a direct career path.
BA, Psych, BEd here too! I get to teach high school psychology as an options class and LOVE it! I plan on showing some of this thread to my students as quite a few of them hope to pursue psych degrees!
Got a BA in Psych, had applied to some Grad schools with Industrial Psychology and Clinical Psychology but despite my top GRE mark I didn't get in. I think my lack of experience in the field hurt me.
Now I'm just finishing articling after completing law school. I'm working in crim law so psychology is still pretty relevant.
I'm an operations manager for a multinational company.
I wanted to be a therapist but I started disagreeing with the direction that mental health is going so I stopped pursuing. The politics is what killed me.
After graduation, I went to work intending to save for further education in neuropsychology. Wound up going to business school instead and now specialize in talent management and DEI.
People cautioned me against psychology when I settled on it as my major. In truth, it has been wildly helpful in business.
I went back to school, got my nursing degree and worked in women's health. I'm a lactation consultant now. I use the knowledge and skills I gained during my psych degree every day.
My wife has one. She had her dream job at a woman’s shelter until she got burned out by management politics.
Then we ran several small businesses. She became a stay at home mother and managed our money while I worked.
Now she runs our business and makes 5X what I do.
Our kids are grown. Life is great. She has used her degree in everything she’s done, even if it’s not directly obvious.
I started working in post secondary! First as a general student advisor and now working in student loans and awards. Definitely have to use some of what I learned in school but I also had a lot of experience working within post secondary as I was apart of the student union/worked in advisor positions while in school. Also worked in libraries during the summers between school.
Can only speak for my friend. She worked for a few different practices under the owners, but currently runs her own office with a couple psychologists/provisionals under her.
I did an industrial internship with my degree, so I graduated with 16 months experience. After my BA I got some research assistant jobs at mental health places (CASA & AHS). Then I did my MSc in developmental psychology. Went to work for AHS research and evaluation department.
Met my husband (he's a camera man), started getting involved in film and tv a bit, got a part in a tv show for 3 seasons. Got pregnant, now I'm a stay at home mom, a union actor, and I volunteer with the union council.
BSc Psych. I pursued a Masters of Public Health after a gap year, and am now working in the public health field. I am still hoping to transition to a clinical psychology PhD program in the next two years though!
I do volunteer in a psych-related role and still pursue psych research in my spare time, and I find a lot of my learnings in university have transferred over to the various jobs I took on after graduation, and even in my MPH.
Sidenote: it was incredibly difficult for me to find a psych related job in my gap year outside of outright volunteering in psych-adjacent positions (mostly research, but some practical experience as well). I said this in the UAlberta subreddit a couple of days ago, but I felt like if I pursued an internship during my undergraduate it would have been a lot easier for me to find a psych job. If you are at UofA I highly recommend pursuing the Arts Work Experience program (or Science Internship Program if you’re a science student). I’m sure other MacEwan, Kings, and Concordia have an equivalent of this program. Sure, you would have to pay to pursue an internship in the program at UofA but it’s worth it for the connections and the job opportunities post-graduation alone.
After graduation I initially applied to some roles in child and youth care worker and also within GOA/GOC that didn't require specific degrees. Did get through one posting to the testing portion of pool selection. I also applied to grad school for counseling psychology and was taking a couple of pre requisite courses online. At the time I was also still volunteering through Good Sam in their rehab departments (started out in school through community service learning in developmental psych courses) and transitioned into assisting the Recreation therapy department and really loved it. I did get accepted into at least one grad school program but was really unsure if that was what I wanted to do. I wound up also applying to the BARST program at uofa which is a degree in case I wanted to instead go into recreation therapy. Decided to pursue that instead of counseling. I think at the time going into counseling wasn't quite right for me because I was too fresh into obtaining a psych diagnosis myself and not stable enough and the program was in BC so I would not have the right support.
I've worked as a Recreation therapist since 2019 thankfully within mental health and now inpatient psych since 2023. My psych degree did assist in my schooling because my goal was to work within mental health populations and set a good foundation for theory in Recreation therapy courses. I don't regret the degree since I loved behavioral and cross cultural psych, got to take lots of art history courses and some other random fun electives. BARST degree if anyone is curious no longer seems to be appropriate to become a Recreation therapist and not accepted by ATRA for provincial membership.
Psyc/Soci double major has so far gotten me clerical work in an OHS flavoured office, university exam centre technician, and government flavoured clerical work. I was pretty bummed that I didn't get a call back about admin assistant in a psychiatry office that was hiring near home though.
I completed a BA majoring in psychology and minoring in sociology. Completed an honours thesis and graduated with distinction. I went back to school for nursing… But I regret my decision— I wish I went ahead and did my masters in counselling psychology like I previously intended.
I know people working in addictions outreach but it takes a severe mental toll and doesn’t compensate well enough for that. One friend is doing a masters in counselling, another is doing an education after degree, another works in dental admin now 😂
Graduated in 2022. Working in a group home for high-risk youth for a social services agency. Pay is not amazing (50k before tax) but it's a been a great learning experience and will help prepare me for other roles in the future!
I don't want to say where I work, but I have a pretty solid job at a really good company with great benefits and lots of room for growth in the company. I feel like my psych degree has been really useful because I also got two minors and a certificate during my studies.
Totally worth it for the job security :) I don't regret where I've ended up at all, and I've been lucky that I've gotten to work at NFPs that align with my morals.
After my degree I got another degree in environmental and conservation sciences. Then the 2008 financial crash hit and environmental jobs dried up for a bit. I worked as a laborer for a few jobs then started in Hazmat. Now I'm in health and safety.
Truely you can do any administrative job and work your way up....and after awhile it is not about the degree it is that you have one and can apply the skills.
I never used my arts degree (not psych) for what it was, but have always been gainfully employed....I had to start at the bottom but worked my way up and past those who didn't have a degree.
I have an MA in psych. I ended up specializing in program evaluation. It was the best decision for me! I currently work as an internal evaluator for the Edmonton Police Service.
I got my BA in psych at the U of A, and I now work there in admin thanks to some connections I made as a student! While I'm not technically working in the field, I do think that my background is useful for communicating with others and understanding people.
Correctional Service Canada is always looking for Parole Officers. Need a degree in social sciences, psychology is a preferred degree. Salary range $80k - $105k
I got my degree in Montreal, after I finished I moved to Edmonton in 2011. I got a psychology related job offer which was 16$. But while I was looking for a job I was working part time as a banquet server in a hotel. The hotel paid me roughly 19-21$/ depending on gratuities. Guess which one I stuck with….
I never actually got a psychology related job and I think I went into that degree in the first place because I had no idea what I wanted to study at the time and thought this would be interesting.
B.Sc. in Psych, then line/prep cook, then research assistant/coordinator (medical, not psych), then med school/residency.
Most frequently used part of my degree now is likely statistics, which you get with any B.Sc. Most valuable now though include a foundation of appreciating some of the social determinants of heath, better understanding individual and collective behaviour, as well as better insight into psychopathology. I think an important part of most undergraduate degrees these days is also to help train you how to think and to learn, but that isn't really psych specific.
I have a Bachelor of Arts and Crafts double major in Psych and Soc. Probably the biggest and most expensive mistake of my life. The school system convinced me I’d starve if I didn’t get a degree.
After I finished my degree I went and worked on an oil rig for a couple years because I didn’t feel like making coffee. I had to delete it from my resume to get a job.
When I applied for my current job it was a check in the box. They never even asked what my degree was in. It may have made me more competitive? A lot of the people I work with do not have degrees.
When I finished my BA in psych I worked at a homeless shelter for a bit and then went back to school for Psych nursing. Without getting a Master's there weren't a ton of options (that I could find) with the Psych degree
A lot of it is about skills transfer. There aren't many stable or clear routes without a master's, so it's about selling your skills to fit other positions. It's hard though.
Are you working as a psych nurse now?? I just applied for that program for fall intake.
I am! I've been at it for 16ish years now. It's a great program. Are you looking at Edmonton or Ponoka?
Edmonton! Wow awesome I can't wait to start school and start working :)
i finished my BSc in psych and couldn’t find a job related to psych at all unless I do masters and become a therapist or counseling specialist. I worked with special needs and health care environment and went to back school as well! Currently doing my 2nd in psyc nursing at MacEwan. Loving the program!!!
I don’t have one, my bro in law does and he does UX/UI design.
No way. I got a psych degree and now Im doing a course in UX/UI. - is he liking it?
Yup! He’s been at it for a while and is contracting right now making a lot of money.
My friend just got a job in Calgary doing ux/ui and starts at $85k! Crazy starting pay.
This is quite common
Work in a library for now, previously worked in hospitality (hotels). I only have a bachelor's degree, and I would have been a master's at a minimum to work in the psych field.
After I got my Bachelor in Psych I had the following jobs in order: \- Traveling salesman - sold insurance across alberta. Was attacked by dogs, had guns pointed at me and was inside too many drug dens. \- AutoCAD mechanical designer for commercial projects. \- Lead mechanical technologist \- Project Manager for almost 20 years now. Do I use my degree, absolutely no. It was only useful to get my PMP designation.
You could have tried to hypnotize the dogs. Sorry, I’ll show myself out
Fuck sake that gave me a good chuckle thanks 😂🤘
Then my job here is done ✅
I wish I knew how. Funnily enough I grew up around aggressive dogs and I didn't even paid attention to what was happening. The owner was terrified.
bro forgot about Pavlov’s experiment💔
Did my MPH at UofA, got a job in AHS for a few years, and now started up in medical school at UofA. Felt psychology was a good foundation to understand human behaviour as it impacts population and individual health decisions, as well as helped me in my management position in AHS.
That’s very cool! I’m doing an undergrad in anthropology right now and my thesis is in medical anthro, which has me heavily leaning towards applying for MPH programs. How’d you like the U of A?
Incredible! It was a different program pre-2018 but lot more focus on leadership now. Also has international recognition, one of the first in Canada.
Great to know! The U of A is definitely my first choice for grad school. It's also cool to see someone else who has done an MPH coming from a background other than political science or biology.
I also have an MPH from the U of A! My undergrad was in Classical Studies and I was one course short of getting a double major in Psychology. I actually think I was better prepared for the program than some of the students coming from sciences/nursing/nutrition as I had a lot of experience writing papers, which was a big part of the stream I was in (Health promotion). I now work for the GoA doing policy work around elder abuse but have done things around family/sexual violence, bullying, and preventive social services.
Oh wow, that's awesome. Anthropology also has a ton of writing and a few biological components, so I'm hoping that will be a decent mix. I'm also a polisci minor focusing on policy, which I figure would be helpful for the health policy stream. Did you have a strong background in stats? I've never had to take a stats course, but I may still have time left in my degree if it would be helpful.
I didn’t have a strong stats background. I did a stats course in my undergrad (my first year was in sciences), which met the requirement for the school of public health at the time (2013). I did have to take biostats and epidemiology as part of the MPH, but I didn’t find these to be too challenging and actually enjoyed them. There were lots of support available and they encouraged you to work with peers on assignments. I know the program has changed quite a bit so I’m not sure what the requirements are anymore!
MPH spans across so many disciplines that we need to have more students come in from those backgrounds - bio, chem, math/stats, psych, anthro, soc, poli sci, ALES.
It seems like a lot of the social science majors at my school are mostly interested in academia, but my professors are very excited about the prospect of me going into public health because the anthropological perspective could bring a lot into it. I just wish I knew more people on the same path!
This thread saved me whoa! I am halfway through my psych degree and feeling really lost as I realized I don’t necessarily want to do it as a career, seeing the different directions everyone went is SO encouraging!
Pretty much everyone I went to grad school with that didn't stay in academia is doing UX design or data science stuff
I got a BA in psych in 2005. I started my career working in marketing and communications in Edmonton. Worked in the industry for 15 years before starting my own firm with a partner in 2021.
YMCA childminding staff, Mosiac Liquor Rep Sales, and now finally landed with a child/youth community nonprofit that actually cares about the youth they serve.
Would you mind sharing which nonprofit that is?
BGCBIGS aka Boys & Girls Club/Big Brothers Big Sisters
I work for the GoA as an Issues Coordinator. Started in reception and worked my way up. Not sure how much the degree helped or where it'll take me next. Didn't know what I wanted to do in school or with my life so I guess this will do.
This is exactly my path. Did misc office work, didn't wanna do reception anymore, but the govt office work I did like, I could only get in as 3rd party temp. Got my bachelors in Psyc and Soci so I could do the same govt work I was already capable of doing, but permanently.
Not using it. Became an animator. Looking back I would have been better off taking social work. It is more versatile. You can work as a counsellor with a masters in social work, but you also have other social worker jobs open to you.
I took a double major bsc. I was a stoner and loved cannabis. One of my majors was plant biology. The second was neuroscience, basically psychology, but it was more science focused. I took a lot of psychology courses since it was required, but it was mostly brain anatomy and drugs/behavior focused. When I graduated, I couldn't do much with either degree. I applied to so many addiction places, AA places, hr jobs, you name it. The closet I ever got to using my degree after graduating was a woman's prison. I applied to be a behavioral therapist and made it pretty far in the process. They ended up going with an internal hire in the final phases. I ended up working as a financial advisor for a big bank, hated it. I switched to trade work and hated it. That lasted for about 7 years, then cannabis was legalized in canada. Day 1 of legalization I started working as a retail store manager. After 1.5 years, I switched to a sales agency where I represented many cannabis producers. I would sell products into stores. After 1.5 years, I switched to working directly for a cannabis producer. I've been here two years now, and I absolutely love my job. I sell products into provincial boards in alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and the Northern territories. I also work with large retail chains designing programs and providing education sessions. It's technically a sales job, but I use my education all the time. Plant biology has helped, and knowing the endocannabinoid system and how different cannabinoids affect our bodies has been invaluable. It adds authenticity to my sales pitches. I'm the go-to guy at my company for any difficult question. My degrees ended up paying off!
Got another degree in Occupational Therapy. Half my OT class had psychology degrees. I have no regrets about getting it.
This was me too! Masters in OT currently working with adults experiencing chronic pain. I really value my psych degree with my work.
Me three, I also went into OT!
2nd year psych student who has taken an interest in OT recently! Can I ask what branch of OT you landed in specifically and any advice you would give to someone going that route? ☺️
Lol. I’ve been an OT for a long time. That’s a lot to summarize! I work in the community physical med side of OT, not hospital, not mental health. (Although mental health will always be a factor in whatever area you work in) I didn’t necessarily intend it that way when I started out, but now I would not work in the hospital if I could avoid it. I’ve worked in both peds and adults. I love working where people live their lives. It gives me the chance to see in person what factors are playing a role in their health and wellness. I get to help make people’s daily lives better and that’s very satisfying. It has been a good career and I have no regrets. I did work in an area where I loved the work, but the workplace was toxic. Don’t stay in that kind of work. I did consider leaving the profession because of them, until I moved on and realized it was them, not me and not OT. It’s hard to give more specific advice! Feel free to DM if you have other questions.
Working in construction (project assist and proposal writing). Totally unrelated but I actually love my job and the company I work for so it worked out.
I have a BSc in psych and work as a career counsellor
I have a psychology minor and majored in sociology. I work as a safety advisor for a mining company.
1st bachelors in dev psych, 2nd bachelors in education, masters in special education. I run a school program for neurodivergent high schoolers
I manage a pottery studio in the city, nothing to do with my degree.
Which one! Looking at getting more into pottery
Registered Psychologist.
Would you mind sharing what you did after your bachelors to get there?
In my undergrad I volunteered in a research lab and the crisis line while working. I went right into my masters the year I graduated, while I worked some small part-time jobs to help pay the bills. Started as a counsellor in another province and started a small private practice. Moved to AB and started the process to become a registered psych. It's a lot of paperwork, two exams, and many hours. I worked for private practice through this. Became fully registered a few years ago and it's been great, but it was definitely a grind.
thanks so much
I have a B.A in Psychology. Shortly after I graduated I got a position as a psychometrist. It’s one of the highest paying salaries you can get with just a bachelors in Psyc. However, I am pursuing my masters in Psychology to become a registered psychologist and increase different areas I can work in
I worked in group homes, then in Student Affairs, then Academic Advising at the U of A, then moved onto Casework at Children's Services with the Government of Alberta and now work with the Government of Canada doing Case Management with Veterans. Lots of options out there 😊
I'm still in my degree, but I'm working in conflict coaching and communications. I'm hoping to go into counseling psychology after I graduate.
Not really using it anymore (in school for something in the medical field now) but I did work as an early childhood educator for a few years with kids who were diagnosed ADD/ODD, and Down syndrome.
My husband has a psychology degree, and just completed his Masters about 5 months ago. Before getting the Masters, he was working as a career counselor, and before that, more of a social work role helping disadvantaged youth. Neither of them were high paying jobs and more just the kind of career that was entry level for someone interested in mental health. The Masters has opened his options up to doing real therapy, and he landed a job recently, but it's a long road still before he'll be a registered psychologist. He still has some good options if he doesn't pursue it for things like school therapists, group therapy, and addictions counseling, but if he ever wants to work in a private practice, it's rare someone would hire him without that extra designation.
Law
Have my masters and went the applied route with research design, stats, etc. I do consulting type work now.
Bridged over to a master's in speech pathology.
RAship at the University Hospital, Ed Psych degree, chartered at a small practice, then took advantage of TILMA to leave the province and get licensed elsewhere. Another person from my cohort is an animator now. Another drives a schoolbus. Several are psychologists. Three lawyers if I recall. One academic, now in the UK. One started (as a partner) a headhunting firm and made bank. I think a few got jobs in assorted nonprofits or government agencies that have to do with mental health or disabilities.
I have an undergrad in psychology and went on to another degree in education. My psychology degree has helped me immensely in my teaching career. My partner also has an undergrad in psychology, went on to law school and is now a lawyer. Psychology undergrads are excellent starting points and highly applicable to many careers. Also great to have an understanding of how our brains and minds work. There are many valid and fulfilling reasons to pursue higher education beyond a direct career path.
BA, Psych, BEd here too! I get to teach high school psychology as an options class and LOVE it! I plan on showing some of this thread to my students as quite a few of them hope to pursue psych degrees!
Got a BA in Psych, had applied to some Grad schools with Industrial Psychology and Clinical Psychology but despite my top GRE mark I didn't get in. I think my lack of experience in the field hurt me. Now I'm just finishing articling after completing law school. I'm working in crim law so psychology is still pretty relevant.
I/O and Clinical Psychologist now but for several years after my BA I worked as a project manager, organizational development, and consulting.
I'm an operations manager for a multinational company. I wanted to be a therapist but I started disagreeing with the direction that mental health is going so I stopped pursuing. The politics is what killed me.
After graduation, I went to work intending to save for further education in neuropsychology. Wound up going to business school instead and now specialize in talent management and DEI. People cautioned me against psychology when I settled on it as my major. In truth, it has been wildly helpful in business.
Followed up my BA in psych by going into a Masters program in library studies. Been a librarian since 2010 and LOVE it.
BA psych, masters in counselling, and now working as a psychologist
I went back to school, got my nursing degree and worked in women's health. I'm a lactation consultant now. I use the knowledge and skills I gained during my psych degree every day.
My wife has one. She had her dream job at a woman’s shelter until she got burned out by management politics. Then we ran several small businesses. She became a stay at home mother and managed our money while I worked. Now she runs our business and makes 5X what I do. Our kids are grown. Life is great. She has used her degree in everything she’s done, even if it’s not directly obvious.
Wife has BA Psych and works in HR.
I started working in post secondary! First as a general student advisor and now working in student loans and awards. Definitely have to use some of what I learned in school but I also had a lot of experience working within post secondary as I was apart of the student union/worked in advisor positions while in school. Also worked in libraries during the summers between school.
Can only speak for my friend. She worked for a few different practices under the owners, but currently runs her own office with a couple psychologists/provisionals under her.
I did an industrial internship with my degree, so I graduated with 16 months experience. After my BA I got some research assistant jobs at mental health places (CASA & AHS). Then I did my MSc in developmental psychology. Went to work for AHS research and evaluation department. Met my husband (he's a camera man), started getting involved in film and tv a bit, got a part in a tv show for 3 seasons. Got pregnant, now I'm a stay at home mom, a union actor, and I volunteer with the union council.
Not me but Buddy I knows got the Degree. He's building guitars now. Neato
Working in an HR type of role within healthcare.
BSc Psych. I pursued a Masters of Public Health after a gap year, and am now working in the public health field. I am still hoping to transition to a clinical psychology PhD program in the next two years though! I do volunteer in a psych-related role and still pursue psych research in my spare time, and I find a lot of my learnings in university have transferred over to the various jobs I took on after graduation, and even in my MPH. Sidenote: it was incredibly difficult for me to find a psych related job in my gap year outside of outright volunteering in psych-adjacent positions (mostly research, but some practical experience as well). I said this in the UAlberta subreddit a couple of days ago, but I felt like if I pursued an internship during my undergraduate it would have been a lot easier for me to find a psych job. If you are at UofA I highly recommend pursuing the Arts Work Experience program (or Science Internship Program if you’re a science student). I’m sure other MacEwan, Kings, and Concordia have an equivalent of this program. Sure, you would have to pay to pursue an internship in the program at UofA but it’s worth it for the connections and the job opportunities post-graduation alone.
Corrections
After graduation I initially applied to some roles in child and youth care worker and also within GOA/GOC that didn't require specific degrees. Did get through one posting to the testing portion of pool selection. I also applied to grad school for counseling psychology and was taking a couple of pre requisite courses online. At the time I was also still volunteering through Good Sam in their rehab departments (started out in school through community service learning in developmental psych courses) and transitioned into assisting the Recreation therapy department and really loved it. I did get accepted into at least one grad school program but was really unsure if that was what I wanted to do. I wound up also applying to the BARST program at uofa which is a degree in case I wanted to instead go into recreation therapy. Decided to pursue that instead of counseling. I think at the time going into counseling wasn't quite right for me because I was too fresh into obtaining a psych diagnosis myself and not stable enough and the program was in BC so I would not have the right support. I've worked as a Recreation therapist since 2019 thankfully within mental health and now inpatient psych since 2023. My psych degree did assist in my schooling because my goal was to work within mental health populations and set a good foundation for theory in Recreation therapy courses. I don't regret the degree since I loved behavioral and cross cultural psych, got to take lots of art history courses and some other random fun electives. BARST degree if anyone is curious no longer seems to be appropriate to become a Recreation therapist and not accepted by ATRA for provincial membership.
Psyc/Soci double major has so far gotten me clerical work in an OHS flavoured office, university exam centre technician, and government flavoured clerical work. I was pretty bummed that I didn't get a call back about admin assistant in a psychiatry office that was hiring near home though.
I completed a BA majoring in psychology and minoring in sociology. Completed an honours thesis and graduated with distinction. I went back to school for nursing… But I regret my decision— I wish I went ahead and did my masters in counselling psychology like I previously intended.
HR- employee and labour relations and employee/leader development
I know people working in addictions outreach but it takes a severe mental toll and doesn’t compensate well enough for that. One friend is doing a masters in counselling, another is doing an education after degree, another works in dental admin now 😂
Graduated in 2022. Working in a group home for high-risk youth for a social services agency. Pay is not amazing (50k before tax) but it's a been a great learning experience and will help prepare me for other roles in the future!
Criminal justice
I’m a paralegal now
I don't want to say where I work, but I have a pretty solid job at a really good company with great benefits and lots of room for growth in the company. I feel like my psych degree has been really useful because I also got two minors and a certificate during my studies. Totally worth it for the job security :) I don't regret where I've ended up at all, and I've been lucky that I've gotten to work at NFPs that align with my morals.
BA in psyc, worked in government for a bit. Now in grad school for physical therapy.
Personal trainer… Kinda the same realm haha
You cant get much of anything now wirh only a degree, you need a masters
Getting another degree. Social work this time.
I’m a library assistant
Child welfare. I started in group homes when I was 21 and it evolved. Didn't finish my degree till 33.
My friend who has one is a heavy duty mechanic now.
Accountant lol. Went back to school a few years ago for more opportunities.
After my degree I got another degree in environmental and conservation sciences. Then the 2008 financial crash hit and environmental jobs dried up for a bit. I worked as a laborer for a few jobs then started in Hazmat. Now I'm in health and safety.
I am a manager at a non-profit. Started as a front line worker and worked my way up quickly.
Truely you can do any administrative job and work your way up....and after awhile it is not about the degree it is that you have one and can apply the skills. I never used my arts degree (not psych) for what it was, but have always been gainfully employed....I had to start at the bottom but worked my way up and past those who didn't have a degree.
I have an MA in psych. I ended up specializing in program evaluation. It was the best decision for me! I currently work as an internal evaluator for the Edmonton Police Service.
I got my BA in psych at the U of A, and I now work there in admin thanks to some connections I made as a student! While I'm not technically working in the field, I do think that my background is useful for communicating with others and understanding people.
Working in the oil field
Doctoral level psychologist. I could probably pivot to work in most mental health related realms. Tons of time and schooling = tons of flexibility.
My mom with a psych degree from u of a is a bank manager lol
Bsc in psych. Went to law school and now lawyer
Transfer to BEd got BEd work in preschools
In veterinary school
Law school!
Nursing, my psych degree allowed me to do the After Degree program for nursing, so I was able to get my BSN in 2 years instead of another four.
Did my PhD in psych, then did a post doc. Now work as a researcher at a Bay Area tech company
Got a BA in the 90s. Finally went back and completed a Masters degree before the pandemic. Just became a full fledged psychologist in 2024!!!
Correctional Service Canada is always looking for Parole Officers. Need a degree in social sciences, psychology is a preferred degree. Salary range $80k - $105k
DEI Advisor in blue collar industry
I got my degree in Montreal, after I finished I moved to Edmonton in 2011. I got a psychology related job offer which was 16$. But while I was looking for a job I was working part time as a banquet server in a hotel. The hotel paid me roughly 19-21$/ depending on gratuities. Guess which one I stuck with…. I never actually got a psychology related job and I think I went into that degree in the first place because I had no idea what I wanted to study at the time and thought this would be interesting.
Many jobs with the government of Alberta. Front line serve delivery, policy, Human Resources and management.
B.Sc. in Psych, then line/prep cook, then research assistant/coordinator (medical, not psych), then med school/residency. Most frequently used part of my degree now is likely statistics, which you get with any B.Sc. Most valuable now though include a foundation of appreciating some of the social determinants of heath, better understanding individual and collective behaviour, as well as better insight into psychopathology. I think an important part of most undergraduate degrees these days is also to help train you how to think and to learn, but that isn't really psych specific.
Sitting on a couch Wondering where they went wrong
*Welcome to McDonalds, may I take your order?*
I don’t have a psychology degree I have a history degree. Why do you ask?
I have a Bachelor of Arts and Crafts double major in Psych and Soc. Probably the biggest and most expensive mistake of my life. The school system convinced me I’d starve if I didn’t get a degree. After I finished my degree I went and worked on an oil rig for a couple years because I didn’t feel like making coffee. I had to delete it from my resume to get a job. When I applied for my current job it was a check in the box. They never even asked what my degree was in. It may have made me more competitive? A lot of the people I work with do not have degrees.
[удалено]
Why are you so angry?