Psychology Career Guide

Explore Options: A Menu of Major-Specific Experiences and Sampling of Related Career Paths

Academic Resources

Explore Psychology academic resources designed to support your academic goals.

Curriculum Guide

Psychology Department

CLAS Advising Department

What Can I Do With This Major?

artwork of heads displayed on a wall

Feeling like you don't know what to do with all of this great information? We highly encourage to make an appointment with your academic advisor and career advisor. Another great starting point is the Self-Guided Career Exploration Tool.

Career Resources

Unlock career potential in Psychology! Discover resources to maximize your professional trajectory.

Career Assessment - PathwayU

Psychology Jobs and Internships via Handshake

Employment Options for Psychology Majors

Career Communities


Menu of Experiences

Psychology Practicum Options

GVSU's Psychology Department offers two practicum opportunities for students.

Psychology Practicum

Psych Friends Practicum

Psy 490: Internship Credit

Psych Friends Peer Mentorship Practicum

Study Psychology Abroad

Through study abroad you’ll also set yourself apart from other job-seekers and graduate-school applicants in an increasingly competitive market.

Imagine yourself studying psychology in Vienna, Austria, the hometown of famous psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud, arguably one of the most influential contributors to the field itself.  Explore the history and development of the field from a truly unique vantage point that will distinguish you from your classmates.

Psychology Study Abroad

Explore Internships Abroad

Join A Student Organization

Get involved with a student organization related to your major. Student orgs are a great way to get connected and explore career options!

Student Organizations

Develop Skills by taking courses and earning certificates:

Developing relevant skills that employers seek is an essential component of a student's education. GVSU students should consider elective courses and certificates that pair with their major to gain additional skills.

  • Research
  • Understanding human behavior
  • Academic writing
  • Problem-solving
  • Analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating information
  • Interpersonal awareness
  • Basic statistical analysis
  • Understanding of psychological theories and the history of psychology

Electives to Consider

Community Service Opportunities

Seek volunteer opportunities related to the field you're exploring as a way of testing out future careers.

The Civic Engagement Center keeps a list of current volunteer opportunities updated on their website. There are ongoing opportunities on a continuous basis, as well as on-campus and off-campus opportunities posted as they become available.

Civic Engagement Center

Undergraduate Scholar Engagement

Pursuing academic, creative, and research experiences and projects outside the classroom is an excellent way to learn new skills and build a body of work in your field.

Getting Undergraduate Research Experience in Psychology

The Center for Undergraduate Scholar Engagement (CUSE) also provides opportunities for undergraduate research and scholarship.

Center for Undergraduate Scholar Engagement (CUSE)


Psychology Career Spotlights

Rachel Salinas '10 Spotlight

Rachel Salinas '10

My most foundational experience at GVSU was participating in multiple research projects with faculty and peers.

Pamela Besteman '96 Spotlight

Pamela Besteman '96

During a winter practice for the Rowing Team, our coach had us play soccer on the Ski Hill. We had so much fun running up and down the hill, chasing the ball, tackling each other, and laughing our heads off while trying to beat our teammates.

William Van Lente '69 Spotlight

William Van Lente '69

My favorite course was Social Psychology under Dr. James Lundy given it bridged my interest in psychology with organizational development. My most fun course was Field Techniques in Anthropology which was an actual physical anthropology excavation.

RaDonna Mieras '14 Spotlight

RaDonna Mieras '14

I LOVE walking the Allendale campus during the fall color change.

View More Psychology

Where Alumni Have Landed

  • Family Service Worker – Head Start for Kent County
  • CLS Mentor – Indian Trails Camp
  • Project Coordinator – nexVortex
  • Youth Supports Coordinator – Muskegon Community Mental Health
  • Mental Health Worker – Forest View Hospital
  • Human Resources Assistant – Deer Valley Ski Resort
  • Medical Sales Assistant – Paragon 28
  • Direct Line Therapist – Building Bridges
  • Service Specialist – State Farm Insurance
  • Senior Associate of Community Investment – United Way
  • Clinical Program Manager – Hope Network
  • Volunteer Coordinator – Americorps
  • Financial Counselor – United Way
  • People Services Generalist – National Heritage Academies
  • Consumer Relations – Wolverine Worldwide
  • Crisis Aide – Every Woman’s Place
  • Employment Specialist – Goodwill Industries
  • Foster Home Developer – Orchards Children’s Services
  • Child Welfare Worker – State of Michigan
  • MedNow Specialist – Spectrum Health

Attend Events

Career Community- Human & Public Service

GVSU Winter 2025 Career and Internship Fair

February 20, 2025 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM

The Winter Career & Internship Fair is an excellent place to kick off your job or internship search, or to begin networking with organizations looking to hire Grand Valley students and alumni...

Employer Showcase: Healthwest - Muskegon County Community Mental Health

February 26, 2025 9:30 AM - 2:00 PM

Stop by the Au Sable Hall First Floor Lobby anytime between 9:30am and 2pm to meet representatives from Healthwest! Want to learn about exciting career opportunities and meet potential...

Employer Showcase: City of Grand Rapids

March 12, 2025 9:30 AM - 2:00 PM

Stop by the Au Sable Hall First Floor Lobby anytime between 9:30am and 2pm to meet representatives from City of Grand Rapids! Want to learn about exciting career opportunities and meet...

Criminal Justice Internship Information Session

March 12, 2025 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

Are you a CJ major or minor interested in an internship? Join us for a special informational meeting and FREE lunch! • Learn the benefits of interning and details about the credits and course! •...

Employer Showcase: Michigan Education Corps

March 19, 2025 9:30 AM - 2:00 PM

Stop by the Au Sable Hall First Floor anytime between 9:30am and 2pm to meet representatives from the Michigan Education Corps! Students can stop by for a casual conversation with...

View More Career Community- Human & Public Service

Consider joining the Human and Public Service Career Community or any other Career Community you are interested in!


Beyond Undergraduate: Graduate or Professional Programs

Undergraduate Psychology majors are able to pursue a variety of graduate degrees. Below are a few examples:

  • Master of Social Work
  • Master in Counseling
  • Master/Ph.D. in Psychology
  • Psy.D. in Psychology
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Law School

Discover More

Join a Career Community

Watch Videos to Hear from Alumni Working in the Field

Check out our podcast!

Career Center Resources

Looking for other career resources? The Career Center Resources page contains resources related to careers, resumes, internships, job search, interviewing, networking, and more.  



Page last modified September 18, 2024