Degrees
Colleges
About
First, some facts. Of the Developmental and Child 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 64 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Slightly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 71%, Developmental and Child Psychology graduates have a slightly higher 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, 39% 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 Developmental and Child Psychology graduate.
See the details:
|
Relevance score: 91% We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.
DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2012 from University of Minnesota-Twin Cities with a Bachelors Degree in Developmental and Child Psychology. Also pursued further education since (see below). JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONProgram Coordinator Alternatives for People with Autism Jul 2012 - Nov 2013 HR Coordinator Alternatives for People with Autism May 2014 - Jun 2017 Barista  Target Jul 2017 - May 2018 Social Worker Brown County Human Services May 2018 - Oct 2022 FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATINGMaster of Social Work - MSWAugsburg University 2021 - 2023 ABOUTMy life experience and adventures began as an Army brat, moving to various parts of the country. I learned about various cultures, ethnicities, traditions, and many other things that make us each uniquely different. As I began developing my skills and learning what jobs I wanted to do I discovered that any job that allows me to connect with people, and to be a helper was a job that I wanted. I've done that through my retail experience, supervisory positions, human resources, working for the public school system, and now a social worker. I have enjoyed each one for the connections I have made, and the things I learned from each. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
When looking at the jobs people with degrees in Developmental and Child Psychology have taken on after graduation, a few trends really stick out. A large portion of these individuals ended up in roles that directly engage with children and support their development. Positions like Behavioral Therapist, Special Education Teacher, and Youth Care Worker showcase a clear alignment with the principles and theories learned during their studies. These roles typically involve applying knowledge of child development and psychological theories to help children with various needs, whether they are emotional, educational, or behavioral.
However, not every path was as straightforward or relevant. A significant number of graduates found themselves in jobs not directly related to developmental or child psychology. Roles such as retail management, administrative positions, or even in fields like veterinary care show that some individuals opted for work outside their area of expertise. While these roles might draw on some soft skills linked to understanding people (which is a component of psychology), they don't typically apply the specialized knowledge acquired from a degree in Developmental and Child Psychology.
Moreover, many who did land jobs relevant to their field often engaged in a variety of roles before settling into positions fully utilizing their degrees. Internships and entry-level positions in counseling centers, schools, or community services laid the groundwork for future careers in more direct applications of developmental psychology. Interestingly, some people advanced into administrative roles or management positions that, while not directly tied to psychological principles, still benefited from their foundational knowledge of child behavior and development.
In conclusion, while there are plenty of job opportunities that perfectly fit the skill set developed through a Developmental and Child Psychology degree, there are also many that do not align as closely with this specific area of study. The journey after graduation can vary greatly from person to person, with some capitalizing on their education amidst roles where their degree's relevance may be limited, highlighting a mix of applied psychology in real-world contexts and unexpected career transitions.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Developmental and Child Psychology graduates:
When looking at the career trajectories of graduates with a degree in Developmental and Child Psychology, there’s a mix of success and some less-than-ideal paths. Right after graduation, many of these individuals tend to take on roles related to their field of study, such as internships or entry-level positions in behavioral therapy or research assistance. For instance, the graduates from Sacred Heart University, Loyola University Chicago, and the University of Minnesota are good examples, with jobs that clearly line up with their academic backgrounds, like research assistants and behavioral therapists. This suggests a solid first step into relevant fields for many graduates, at least early on in their careers.
However, as we look at their careers five or ten years later, the picture becomes a bit more mixed. Some graduates manage to stay on the path relevant to their psychology training, progressing into more advanced roles like psychometricians or even establishing their own schools, as seen with creators of educational programs. But for others, there’s a clear drift away from the core of their education. Take the graduate from Southern New Hampshire University who moved from a professional groomer to family consultant; both jobs are valuable in their own right but don’t closely relate to Developmental Psychology. Similarly, we see graduates dabbling in various roles outside their initial career focus, like bartending or administrative roles in unrelated businesses, which might not feel fulfilling over time.
Ultimately, while a good chunk of graduates from these programs do find relevant positions early on, a sizable number might end up in roles that don’t fully leverage their academic training. It’s a bit of a mixed bag—some go on to fulfilling careers that directly tie back to their degrees, while others meander into jobs far removed from what they studied. So, if you’re looking to pursue Developmental and Child Psychology, it’s crucial to keep your career goals sharp and network actively to stay aligned with those initial aspirations. That way, you can steer clear of those unrelated roles down the line!
A Bachelor's degree in Developmental and Child Psychology can be a bit of a mixed bag, honestly. It’s not the easiest degree out there, but it’s also not the hardest; I’d say it falls somewhere in the middle range. You'll dive into topics like human development, psychological theories, and research methods, which can be super interesting but also a bit challenging, especially when you get into the nitty-gritty of how kids think and behave. If you're passionate about the subject, you'll likely find it engaging enough to push through the tougher parts—just be ready to read a lot and maybe write some lengthy papers! Overall, it's definitely manageable if you're willing to put in the effort.
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Developmental and Child Psychology.
Looking at these graduates, it seems like there’s a mix of income levels based on the jobs they’ve landed. The ones who graduated recently, like the one from Sacred Heart University or those from Southern New Hampshire University, seem to have taken on roles that are more entry-level, like internships or support positions, which likely don't pay all that well. If you start out as an intern or in a behavioral therapist role, you're probably not looking at a towering salary right off the bat. But on the other hand, folks who have climbed the ladder a bit, like the Speech-Language Pathologist from the University of Michigan or the Psychometrician at Broward Psychological Associates, are likely pulling in a decent salary given the specialized nature of their roles.
On the whole, many of these jobs appear to be in the non-profit or educational sectors, which tend to prioritize impact over income. While that’s admirable, it often doesn’t translate to high salaries. Alumni with advanced roles in healthcare or specialized counseling might be doing better, but overall, it looks like a lot of these graduates are still figuring out their earnings potential. As they continue to gain experience and possibly get into more advanced positions, their income might improve significantly. So, if you’re looking into a path in developmental psychology or child psychology, just know that the starting salaries might not be sky-high, but there’s always room to grow!
Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Developmental and Child Psychology. This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Developmental and Child Psychology (ordered by the average relevance score of their Developmental and Child Psychology graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates: