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First, some facts. Of the Clinical Psychology graduates we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:
These are estimates based on AI analysis of 246 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Slightly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 63%, Clinical Psychology graduates have a slightly lower likelihood (-4%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:
And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.
Also, after graduating, 49% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests you may need more than just a Bachelors degree to be competitive as a Clinical Psychology graduate.
See the details:
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Relevance score: 100% We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2021 from University of California San Diego with a Bachelor of Science - BS in Clinical Psychology. Also pursued further education since (see below). JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONIntervention Peer-Leader UC San D Jan 2021 - Jun 2022 Practicum Student Community Research Foundation Jun 2022 - May 2023 PHP Therapist San Diego Center for Children Jul 2023 - Present FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATINGMaster of Arts - MAUniversity of San Diego 2021 - 2023 ABOUTRecent graduate from the University of San Diego with a Master of Arts in Counseling, specialization in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Currently employed at San Diego Center for Children's Partial Hospitalization Program for high-risk adolescents (Ages 12-18) providing an array of therapeutic services (DBT Skill training, individual and family therapy, case management) for youth and families. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
In analyzing the career paths of individuals who graduated with a degree in Clinical Psychology, it's clear that there are a range of job types they have pursued. Many have opted for positions that are closely related to mental health, counseling, and social work, leveraging the skills and knowledge they acquired during their studies. For instance, roles such as Mental Health Counselor, Behavior Technician, and Counselor at various institutions highlight a strong alignment with clinical psychology principles. These positions often require direct application of psychological skills to assess and treat clients, clearly showing relevance to their academic background in clinical psychology.
On the flip side, many graduates have found themselves in positions that do not directly utilize their education in clinical psychology. For instance, roles in sales, administrative tasks, or unassociated fields, such as bartending or hospitality, often lack a connection to their degree. This trend suggests a mix of practicality in job markets and personal choice—some may feel compelled to take available jobs for financial reasons, irrespective of the direct relevance to their studies. Additionally, certain roles, such as Customer Service Representative or Event Coordinator, while they may benefit from interpersonal skills derived from psychology, do not principally focus on applying psychological theories or practices as a core function.
Overall, while a significant number of individuals are successfully channeling their educational background into relevant fields, a notable portion finds themselves in jobs that do not fully exploit the specialized training they've received in clinical psychology. This dichotomy raises questions about the job market's alignment with educational programs and could indicate a need for more supportive structures to help graduates transition into roles that effectively use their skill sets. Ultimately, while many do find relevant opportunities, others may need to rethink their career trajectories or seek additional training to fully realize their degree's potential.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Clinical Psychology graduates:
When examining the career trajectories of individuals who have graduated with degrees in Clinical Psychology, there's quite a mixed bag of outcomes. For many graduates, their first job tends to align closely with their field of study, often stepping into roles like counseling or mental health support. For example, graduates from UCF have taken up roles as mental health counselors and behavioral technicians, while others have started as teachers or facilitators, reflecting a focus on education and mental health awareness. This initial alignment is encouraging, as it suggests that many graduates are keen to apply their skills and knowledge immediately in relevant fields right out of college.
However, the longer-term picture becomes a bit more nuanced. Five to ten years post-graduation, the data shows a notable drift for some individuals. While several have managed to secure passionate roles in psychology-related fields—like licensed counselors or clinical psychologists—others seem to find themselves in careers that, while respectable, may not directly relate to their clinical psychology backgrounds. For instance, some graduates are working in areas such as marketing, sales, or even administration, indicating a shift away from direct mental health work. This drift might suggest that while initial roles are primarily focused on psychology, other opportunities, economic factors, or personal interests push many graduates into different fields as they progress in their careers.
In summary, while many Clinical Psychology graduates begin in jobs that are closely tied to their education, the long-term career paths can vary significantly. While it's great to see many finding solid footing in mental health professions, a considerable number are veering off into unrelated fields. This could highlight the challenges in the job market for psychology graduates, signaling that while they gain valuable skills, those skills are also applicable in a wide range of sectors outside of clinical psychology. Whether this is a success or not can depend on individual definitions of success, but it does suggest a need for future graduates to remain adaptable, as the career landscape requires flexibility and a willingness to pivot when necessary.
A Bachelor’s degree in Clinical Psychology can be pretty challenging, but it really depends on your strengths and interests. If you're into understanding how the mind works, enjoy studying human behavior, and aren’t afraid of a bit of science and stats, you might find it manageable! You'll dive into some tough subjects like psychology theories, research methods, and statistics, which can be a bit daunting at first. Plus, coursework often involves writing papers and conducting research, so if you’re not a fan of that, it might feel harder. Overall, it's on the tougher side compared to some other degrees, but with the right mindset and dedication, you can definitely handle it! Just remember, every degree requires some effort, so if you're passionate about it, that makes a big difference!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Clinical Psychology.
Looking at these graduates and their career paths, it seems like there's a pretty mixed bag when it comes to making decent money. For example, the Virginia Tech graduate working as a Special Education Teacher since 2020 probably isn't pulling in the highest salary, as teaching roles often have capped pay scales. On the flip side, individuals like the graduate from Northwestern University who is now a Medical Director and a Founder of their own consulting firm likely have an impressive income from their diverse roles and leadership responsibilities.
A lot of graduates seem to start with internships or entry-level positions, like mental health counselors or support staff, which typically don’t pay a ton. However, many are moving into roles within healthcare and education that have potential for better earnings as they gain experience. Overall, while some are definitely on a solid path to financial stability, others might find that their early choices in the job market are keeping them on a tighter budget. It's all about the bounce-back as they gain experience and find lucrative opportunities down the line!
Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Clinical Psychology. This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Clinical Psychology (ordered by the average relevance score of their Clinical Psychology graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:
| College | Score | Count |
|---|---|---|
 University of Central Florida
|
63 | 23 |