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Psychology
"Don't Scare Your Students!"
Facing reality on psychology education and career paths.
Posted December 10, 2019 Reviewed by Kaja Perina
I teach psychology. A few weeks ago, during a class discussion about identity development, a student raised her hand and, as an example, said she was thinking about changing her major.
“To psychology?” I asked. She nodded affirmatively.
“Aren’t you in the nursing program?” Again, she nodded affirmatively.
“Stay in nursing! You can use psychology there!” I exclaimed.
Such exchanges with my students are not uncommon. Am I betraying the discipline? I don’t think so.
As any introductory psychology course will point out, there are a lot of reasons to study psychology. My last textbook had a funny circular diagram that almost literally listed every possible career and degree on the outside and connected them all to psychology at the core. And really, what career wouldn’t benefit from understanding the mind and behavior? I teach a lot of nursing students and when I ask them why they think they are required to take my class, they immediately get it: “Well, we’re going to be working with people, so…”
Yet when it comes to using and “doing” psychology for a living - pursuing psychology and related degrees, applying to those jobs that require a master’s degree in psychology or a related field - there are practical realities one must consider along the way. It’s my duty as an educator to guide my students in this process. Moreover, I think it’s my ethical responsibility to tell it like it is. This blog takes that discuss beyond the classroom.
Last semester, a student in class lamented, “Why would anyone not do what they love?” Specifically, he was referring to students who chose majors based on salary and career potential, not passion and enthusiasm for the topic. Many years ago, as an idealistic undergraduate psychology student, that was me, too. I went to school with a lot of engineering majors who weren’t particularly passionate about engineering and, at first, I just didn’t understand why they would commit their lives to what sounded to me like misery. I quickly learned that answer: goals.
The first question I ask students who come to talk to me about careers is, “What are your goals?” And I don’t just mean research, graduate school, and the like. I mean purchasing a home, having and supporting kids…practical life goals. I cannot tell you how many students think they are going to get a bachelor’s degree in psychology and have a starting salary using that degree that allows them to buy their first Tesla...without needing a payment plan.
I want students to study psychology. I hope students pursue psychology, social work, counseling, and related careers. I also want them to make informed, intentional decisions that involve planning, precision, and care.
I teach several lessons on careers and work in my classes. While we certainly discuss the psychological aspects of job satisfaction, I also openly share my salary history. Not long ago, when telling my colleague about their shocked reactions, she said, “Don’t scare them!” Honestly, though, why not? The student who comes to me and says, “You inspired me so much! I’m changing my major from nursing to psychology and I’m going to focus on child abuse,” should be asked about the importance of that Tesla or simply not having to work a second job to pay rent.
“You can focus on sexual health in nursing.” “You can study child abuse in a criminal justice program.” “You can specialize in group dynamics in business.” I often advise students that they can use psychology in other fields and careers – yes, even engineering. Plus, how great is it to have nurses, lawyers, business owners, and other professionals who incorporate an understanding of psychology into their practices and their lives?
A psychology-specific degree or career may not work for everyone. Acknowledging that, in my view, won’t take away from the field. Doesn’t the field benefit when people take it outside of our walls? Don’t other fields benefit from incorporating psychological research and theory? There are a lot of ways to do psychology. This blog will address and uncover important considerations for traveling the psychology road… and its side streets.
