First, some facts. Of the Psychology graduates from Appalachian State University 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 45 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Slightly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 63%, Psychology graduates from Appalachian State University 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, 57% 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 Psychology graduate.
See the details:
Relevance score: 50%We think this person has gone into a career only somewhat relevant to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2015 from Appalachian State University with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Psychology. Also pursued further education since (see below). JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONLifeguard managerSwim club management group Jun 2015 - Present FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATINGMaster of Social Work (MSW)Winthrop University 2015 - 2017 ABOUTNo information provided. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
So, after diving into the career paths of folks who graduated with a Psychology degree from Appalachian State University, it's pretty clear that there's a pretty wide array of jobs they've landed. The most common roles seem to revolve around counseling, therapy, and research, which directly tie back to their psychology background. Positions like Clinical Mental Health Counselor, Licensed Professional Counselor, and various research roles at places like Johns Hopkins stand out as significant careers where these graduates can utilize the core skills they acquired in school. Even roles in social work and outreach have notable relevance, showing the direct application of psychological principles in practical settings. It’s like they’ve sprinkled their hard-earned knowledge throughout their careers, especially in fields that serve vulnerable populations or involve behavioral analysis.
However, not every job listed reflects a strong connection to psychology. There are quite a few positions in customer service, retail, and administrative roles that don't seem to leverage that specialized education. Jobs such as a server, a sales associate, or even positions like project managers at corporate jobs may involve some soft skills that can be enhanced by a psychology background but don’t primarily utilize those psychological principles. All in all, while many of these graduates have found fulfilling positions where they can use their psychology degrees meaningfully, a good chunk of them also veered off into roles where their degree isn’t the main focus. It's a mixed bag of outcomes—some aligned perfectly with their studies, while others drifted away from the core of what they learned. That's just the reality of the job market, you know?
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Psychology graduates (this is across all Psychology graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Appalachian State University):
When looking at the career trajectories of graduates from Appalachian State University with degrees in Psychology, it seems like there’s a diverse mix of paths taken. Right after graduation, many graduates tend to land entry-level positions in social services or behavioral health roles. For example, some took on roles like Direct Care Worker or Clinical Intern, which makes sense as these positions closely relate to the skills learned in their psychology programs. However, there are also cases where graduates started out in less relevant fields, such as bartending or customer service roles, especially among those who graduated more recently. This suggests that while some found a direct connection to their education, others may not have landed their ideal job immediately. This transitional phase is pretty common for many new graduates, regardless of their major.
Fast forward five to ten years, and the picture gets more focused. Many alumni have moved into more substantial roles within mental health or educational settings, often taking positions like Licensed Professional Counselor, Clinical Manager, or even Academic Advising roles at universities. Others have shifted significantly towards health-related fields, including roles as Behavioral Technicians or Program Coordinators in healthcare organizations. Interestingly, some graduates also gained experience in research or ended up in managerial positions within their original fields, which is awesome because it shows versatility. Overall, while the journey may start in various directions, it seems most graduates find their way back to careers relevant to psychology, building meaningful careers that make a difference in people's lives.
Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at Appalachian State University is generally considered to be on the manageable side, especially compared to some other majors that can be super intense with heavy coursework in sciences or math. You’ll definitely need to engage with some challenging concepts, and research methods can get a bit tough, but if you stay organized and keep up with your readings and assignments, it’s definitely doable. Plus, there’s a lot of room for interesting topics and electives which can make the learning experience enjoyable. Just like any degree, if you're passionate about psychology, it won't feel like a slog, and you might even find it pretty fun!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Psychology.
So, when you look at these Appalachian State University psychology grads and their job histories, it seems like there’s a pretty mixed bag in terms of earnings. Some of them, especially those who landed roles at Johns Hopkins or in management positions like Clinical Manager or Director, are likely pulling in decent salaries—definitely more on the high end of the scale. On the flip side, many others who have worked in roles like direct care or as teachers might not be making as much, especially since entry-level positions in those fields can be pretty low-paying. Overall, it seems like those who ventured into research or clinical management have a good shot at making solid money, while others might be grinding through lower-paying jobs for a while. So, it's a bit of a jumble!
Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Psychology (this is across all Psychology graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Appalachian State University). This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Psychology (ordered by the average relevance score of their Psychology graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates: