Check the news app on your phone or watch primetime TV and you’ll soon be reminded that this world is far from perfect. People are in need all around us. They may lack an external need, such as shelter or a consistent meal on their dinner table, or an internal need such as mental health.
Perhaps you can empathize with such external and internal needs, as you’ve had seasons in your life of challenge when you’ve needed someone to step in and offer their hand to overcome those barriers. Whether through a ministry, mental health or other social services, you may have encountered people who are equipped to meet the needs of their communities.
Are you inspired to provide that same support for others as you may have experienced yourself?
With the knowledge, skills and experiences gained through an undergraduate program in psychology, you can be equipped to understand, address and offer solutions in a variety of human services related situations.
But how do you know if it’s the right track for you? Here we share some important things to know as well as valuable questions to ask yourself as you determine whether psychology can get you to where you want to be in serving others.
Should I major in psychology?
What do psychology majors do after graduation? Our psychology majors do many different things after graduation. Not surprisingly, some majors go to graduate school in psychology or related fields (e.g., social work), with the intention of becoming practicing psychologists, counselors, researchers, consultants, or university professors. Other majors go on to professional schools in fields such as law, business, education, or medicine. Yet others enter the job market with the B.A. degree, obtaining employment in a wide variety of areas such as social or human service work, business, or research. The psychology department does several things to help its majors find and be competitive for both jobs and graduate school immediately following graduation. Sessions on career opportunities with and without a graduate degree are held every year. There is an extensive graduate school advising system within the department. Information about graduate school options and job opportunities is provided on a Blackboard site for our majors and minors and in several books that can be checked out from the psychology department office. In addition to providing information and advice, the department offers many opportunities for students to get involved in research by working in the lab of a faculty member. Regardless of whether one plans to do research in a career, research experiences provide many benefits that can strengthen both graduate school and job applications.
*These courses are not taught on a regular basis and are not scheduled to be taught in the next few semesters.
Who should consider psychology as a major? Students should consider majoring in psychology if they are interested in it and reasonably good at it. The experience in Introductory Psychology can help you to assess these two factors. If you had a sustained interest in many of the topics covered, the chances are good that you will enjoy being a psychology major. Another positive indicator is that you find psychological research interesting.
If you are considering psychology as a major or minor, the information in this document might be useful. It briefly describes the psychology major at Wake Forest and answers common questions about majoring in psychology.
Thus, the Wake Forest psychology department aims to provide a rigorous and stimulating undergraduate education in both content and methods of psychology. Our department, like most undergraduate liberal arts departments, emphasizes research over applied work and research is a central component of many courses. A research emphasis in an undergraduate program provides the best preparation for applied graduate work as well as a strong foundation for a wide array of jobs.
2) A Psychology Degree Empowers You to Meet the Needs of Others
A trend within the field of psychology is the desire to help others thrive and overcome challenges. After all, it is in the human services industry.
Through a bachelor’s degree program, you’ll develop strategies and tactics to moderate discussions and solve problems. A career in psychology or another related field can help you make a difference in the lives of those in your community by offering support and helping them overcome problems.
Being able to make a difference and empower others is a fulfilling opportunity. Within this field, you can support and guide others toward healing.
Five Things You Should Know in Determining If Psychology Is Right for You
How do you know if psychology is the right track for you? Here we share some important things to know as well as valuable questions to ask yourself as you determine whether psychology can get you to where you want to be in serving others.
The field of psychology focuses on an individual’s thought processes and behavior. Unlike sociology, which zooms out to examine societies and larger groups, psychology is rooted in the individual level of study.
Psychology is helpful in analyzing and resolving issues, trends and challenges in human services needs. Some topics in psychology include things like stress, anger, aging and memory. Emotional and social responses are foundational to psychology.
This understanding of the individual emphasizes the diversity of populations; recognizing this trend is essential in succeeding in psychology. Through a degree in psychology, you’ll discover that numerous factors contribute to an individual’s mental health. In most psychology degree programs at the undergraduate level, you’ll cover a wide range of topics that demonstrate the diversity in populations so that you’re equipped to serve wherever you go.
You’ll engage in courses like:
Through practical curriculum like that included in a bachelor’s degree in psychology, you will be well equipped in understanding and analyzing human behavior trends.
Not only will you be well equipped for your future career, but you’ll also serve your inquisitive mind in looking into questions of why people behave and think in certain ways. Understanding what makes people do certain things is a marketable skill that has value in a variety of fields.
FAQ
Is psychology a good thing to major in?
Is psychology Hard to major in?
Is psychology a good career for me?
Are psychology majors happy?