Careers with a bachelor’s degree in psychology

Alma mater: Hood College

Wondering whether to pursue a bachelor’s degree in psychology? Meet 13 graduates who landed great jobs thanks to their psychology degrees.

Why psychology?

I knew what I wanted to do applied behavior analysis (ABA), and I found psychology to be the most succinct and interesting major in comparison to social work and education. It was also a degree that at Hood College I could complete in 3 years, which was my goal so that I could start doing ABA faster.

What was your experience like at Hood College?

My experience at Hood College was wonderful. I worked in the psychology department doing paperwork, I was president of the psychology club and in the honor society as an officer. I started a walk for autism awareness on campus, we did psychology movies quarterly, and awareness months through the psychology club. I most enjoyed the case studies the professors and guest speakers did once a month. The professors were the best part of the degree as they were always available and were fun to be around. Hood allowed me to do a variety of things and be creative. My minor was in Spanish. The class that stood out the most was Behavior Modification. The Behavior Modification class taught me about graphing and reinforcement and how to create a behavior plan. I use all of those things daily.

Tell me about what you did during your time in school to start preparing for your career?

I did multiple self-studies (similar to an internship), so I could work in the field. A self-study was more flexible than an internship. Self-studies can be working with a professor, doing research, or, in my case, working and writing about it. I was working as an intensive early intervention technician and behavior technician doing ABA. I also did research (case studies) using clients with their permission. One article was published using these case studies/research.

What are you doing now? Talk a little bit about the process of getting your job.

Currently, I am a board certified behavior analyst (BCBA) doing ABA. I was a registered behavior technician (RBT) for eight years with two different companies from high school until I completed my master’s degree (in ABA) in 2017. In 2017, I passed a board exam to become a BCBA. I took a year off between my undergrad and grad because I realized I did not want to do a master’s in counseling psychology after all. I went to sign up for classes, and all of them sounded boring, and I wanted to enjoy my degree. Every class I took in my master’s in ABA sounded interesting!

How are you using your psychology degree in your job? How do you feel your degree in psychology has helped you with your job?

I use psychology because ABA is labeled as a medical and psychological service. The data/graphs/analytical aspects, general developmental classes, and learning about reinforcement helped me the most. I reduce problem behavior and reinforce the positive behavior, teach functional skills, promote spontaneous language, and prompt social interactions. I use B.F. Skinner’s principles of behavior to do my job.

For psychology students who are still in school and thinking about their career path, what advice would you give them?

Any job utilizes psychology in some way. You receive valuable skills and can always find a career path that is related in some way. I began as a behavior technician at 15 years old, so I went to college knowing what I wanted to do. I still found it would be important to explore other options and was encouraged to do so by the faculty, so I took a variety of classes. I did like other options and considered counseling psychology. More information does not hurt anyone, so I think it is important to explore even if you know what you want to do. I use the small number of counseling skills I learned in my undergraduate degree when I meet with parents of children with autism.