10 Reasons To Get A Psychology Degree In 2023

The human mind is a powerful and complex machine. And, so, understanding it is one of the most rewarding endeavors. With this in mind, more and more people are considering obtaining a psychology degree. As a result, the number of psychology graduates increased by 3.3% from 2019 to 2020. Numerically, it rose from 2.53 million in 2019 to 2.62 million in 2020.

But what makes psychology such an appealing field?

Let’s take a look.

Study a Topic of Your Interest

Eager students often use college to explore a newfound passion. If you find the human mind intriguing, enrolling in college could be an ideal way to learn from experienced professors, access scarce academic resources, and discuss psychological topics in a lively classroom setting. Studying something you’re passionate about also allows creativity to blossom and full academic potential to be met.

Some matters that students find interesting in the field of psychology are:

Social interactions and relationships
The role of emotions in decision making
Control and conditioning
Mental health issues
Neurological diseases

Make a Difference in People’s Lives

Psychology is about more than just understanding the mind. It’s an opportunity to help people in need. There are several disciplines in psychology that are focused on aiding others, like clinical psychology and counseling.

An LMHC degree can provide graduates with the skills and knowledge to help people in distress. For example, with this degree, you could work with children who have suffered abuse, counsel couples in troubled marriages, and provide therapy to those struggling with depression or anxiety.

Psychology is a Diverse Field

Psychology is vast and multi-faceted. As a result, there are numerous specializations and sub-disciplines for you to explore, giving you plenty of options to find the best path for your career. This diversity also contributes to the wide range of jobs that psychology graduates can pursue.

After completing their studies, psychologists can work as therapists or counselors, consultants or researchers, and even executives in the corporate world.

Typically, students can pursue a general psychology degree or specialize in an area of interest. Some concentrations include:

Organizational Psychology: This field focuses on how to maximize human potential in the workplace.
Clinical Psychology: This area of psychology examines mental health issues and provides therapy to individuals in need.
Developmental Psychology: This specialization studies how people grow and learn.
Forensic Psychology: A more recent area of study, this combines psychology and law to understand the criminal justice system better.

Job Security

Psychology is a rapidly growing field, with the demand for qualified psychologists expected to increase in the coming years. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that jobs for psychologists will grow by 14% from 2019 to 2029 — much faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is partly due to an increased demand for mental health services and an aging population.

High-Paying Jobs

When it comes to the salary potential of a psych degree, it varies depending on the field. For example, while clinical psychologists generally earn higher salaries than counselors and therapists, those in research or private practice may earn more depending on their experience.

In general, a psychologist’s national average annual wage is $85,340. According to the BLS, it is approximately 64% higher than the average salary for all occupations in the U.S.

Develop Marketable Skills

A psychology degree gives you access to many skills that employers find valuable. You get to practice communication, collaboration, and problem-solving when you work on team projects to complete assignments in your psychology classes. These are essential skills for any career path.

Additionally, a psychology degree can provide you with the ability to understand and relate to people of diverse backgrounds, which is an invaluable asset in any job. For instance, consumer behavior analysts use psychology to understand better how people make purchase decisions, while marketing managers rely on psychological insights to craft successful campaigns.

Because of these traits, you can work in management, marketing, and human resources roles.

Stay Up to Date with Developments

With a psychology degree, you can stay updated with the latest trends and developments in the field. This knowledge can help you understand the implications of new technologies and how they may affect people’s lives.

For instance, AI has the potential to revolutionize mental health care by providing clinicians with access to vast amounts of data and improving the accuracy of diagnoses. VR, on the other hand, could be used to provide therapy in a controlled virtual environment.

Build a Professional Network

Psychology degree holders can build a professional network during their studies. It can help you find mentors, make new contacts, and stay up to date with the latest trends in the field. Additionally, you can use your network to gain valuable advice from seasoned professionals.

The key is to build positive relationships with professors and colleagues. It will benefit you when you’re looking for job opportunities. For instance, your professor may write you a letter of recommendation or make an introduction to someone in their network. Similarly, a fellow student may be able to introduce you to potential employers.

Enjoy Strong Relationships

A psychology degree can help you understand the intricacies of human relationships. It can help you build stronger, healthier relationships with your loved ones. You can become a better listener and communicator by learning about interpersonal dynamics and communication.

Plus, when you understand why a person behaves in a certain way, you can respond better to their needs and be more compassionate. Relationships indeed form the foundation of our lives, and with a psychology degree, you can learn how to nurture them.

Conclusion

A psychology degree can open up many opportunities for you. It can help you stay abreast of the latest developments in the field, develop valuable skills, build a professional network, and improve your relationships. With so many benefits, it’s easy to see why getting a psychology degree is worth the effort.

If you’re ready to take the plunge, plenty of online and in-person psychology degrees are available to help you pursue your goals. So, why wait? Start your psychology degree today and unlock a world of possibilities!