First, some facts. Of the Psychology graduates from Ashford 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 80 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 59%, Psychology graduates from Ashford University have a lower likelihood (-8%) 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, 55% 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: 20%We think this person has NOT gone into a career related to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2010 from Ashford University with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Psychology. Also pursued further education since (see below). JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONWireless AnalystBooz Allen Hamilton Sep 2012 - Mar 2014 Case Administrator Booz Allen Hamilton Apr 2014 - Jan 2016 Project Coordinator REI Systems Jan 2016 - Sep 2016 Project Finance Analyst Kubota Tractor Corporation Sep 2016 - Jul 2017 Project Management Associate Charles Schwab Jul 2017 - Mar 2019 Senior Specialist, Internal Audit Charles Schwab Mar 2019 - Apr 2020 Data Risk Manager Charles Schwab Apr 2020 - Oct 2023 Risk and Controls Manager Manulife Oct 2023 - Present FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATINGMaster of Business Administration - MBASoutheastern Oklahoma State University 2021 - 2023 ABOUTNo information provided. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
Based on the collected data from LinkedIn profiles of Ashford University psychology graduates, we can see a diverse range of job roles that these individuals have taken on since earning their degrees. The most common job types seem to fall into three main categories: education, mental health services, and some roles in business or human resources. Various teaching positions stood out prominently, such as Elementary School Teacher, Pre Kindergarten Teacher, and Education Paraprofessional. These roles often require a solid grasp of child psychology, behavior management, and effective communication strategies, making them very relevant to the psychological principles taught in their degree programs.
On the mental health front, many graduates have found themselves in roles where psychology is not just relevant but essential. Positions like Therapist, Mental Health Technician, and Behavioral Health Specialist all require a deep understanding of psychological theories and practices. For instance, roles such as Child Sex Abuse Investigator and Licensed Clinical Social Worker distinctly involve applying psychological knowledge in real-world scenarios focused on trauma and mental health care. It's clear these positions heavily rely on the education received in their psychology degree, confirming a strong relevance to their studies.
When exploring business and human resources roles, we also see that a handful of graduates have ventured into HR positions or management, such as Human Resources Generalist or HR Assistant. These jobs utilize psychological insights, such as understanding employee behavior and dynamics, but the link to core psychology skills isn't always as direct as in educational or clinical roles. Similarly, some graduates hold positions in fields like sales or customer service where an understanding of consumer behavior can be beneficial, but again, they rarely engage with psychology on a daily basis compared to those in more clinical or educational settings.
In short, while Ashford University psychology graduates have found their way into a variety of job fields, the most prominent and relevant roles remain rooted in education and mental health services. The majority of these positions capitalize on the knowledge gained during their studies, confirming that many of them are not only related to psychology but are heavily reliant on the principles taught in their degree program. On the contrary, other roles in business sectors or technical fields tend to draw only lightly on their psychology background, showing a mixed relevance to the degree. So, if someone is looking to get a degree in psychology with an eye toward a fulfilling career, aiming for education or mental health services might be the most promising route based on this data!
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 Ashford University):
When we take a look at the career paths of graduates from Ashford University who studied Psychology, some interesting patterns emerge. For many of these individuals, their first jobs after graduation often fall into a variety of fields that may or may not directly relate to psychology. For instance, roles like security officer, substitute teacher, and various positions in the military or emergency services frequently appear in their early careers. This may indicate that graduates often find themselves in job markets that prioritize immediate employment over specific field-related positions right out of the gate. In many cases, these initial roles serve as stepping stones towards more specialized careers but may lack a direct connection to psychology.
Moving forward, if we take a look at where these graduates are landing five or ten years later, there's a noticeable shift. A significant number of them transition into more relevant roles within psychology or related fields. For example, some find positions as social workers, behavior therapists, and roles that involve counseling or youth advocacy, which align closely with their degree. However, there are also those who might have gone off the beaten path, moving into management roles, HR, or even entirely different sectors like real estate or sales. This illustrates that while some graduates do find fulfilling careers in psychology, others might be pursuing entirely different interests or job opportunities that don’t use their degree directly.
Overall, you can see a mix of success and variation in trajectories for Ashford University's Psychology graduates. While many are successfully carving out careers in fields related to their studies, others seem to be utilizing their skills in more varied and sometimes unrelated roles. This could mean that some graduates have had successful careers that are relevant to psychology, while others may have faced challenges aligning their career with their academic background. Ultimately, the journey seems to be quite individualized, influenced by personal interests, job market conditions, and perhaps the networks they build along the way. So, if you're considering a psychology degree, it’s important to think about what you might want to do with it down the line and be open to various paths that could unfold!
Okay, so pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology can be a mix of challenging and manageable, but honestly, it often depends on your interest in the subject and how well you stay on top of your studies. At Ashford University specifically, the courses tend to cover a range of topics from basic psychology principles to more complex theories, so if you’re really into understanding how people think and behave, it can feel pretty engaging. There’s definitely some work involved, like keeping up with readings, writing papers, and participating in discussions, but if you pace yourself and use the resources available (like your professors and study groups), it’s totally doable. Overall, it's kind of on the easier side compared to some other degrees, especially if you have a passion for the field!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 2 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Psychology.
Looking at the job histories of these psychology graduates from Ashford University, it seems like the financial outcomes vary quite a bit depending on the career paths they chose. Some individuals, like those in military and emergency management roles, often secure solid salaries with benefits, especially as they progress into higher ranks. For instance, the graduate who transitioned through multiple roles in the Texas Army National Guard made it to Command Sergeant Major, a position that typically comes with a decent salary. In contrast, those who followed education or social work paths might find their paychecks more modest, especially when starting as teachers or interns, roles that often come with lower pay relative to the workload and responsibility.
In general, while some graduates appear to be doing well financially, others might be navigating more of a struggle. Professions like teaching and social work are known for being rewarding in many ways but often aren’t the best payers right out of the gate. So, if you're considering a career in psychology or related fields, it’s worth thinking about what type of financial stability you want to have in the long run versus what you might love doing. Balance is key—your passion can lead to fulfilling work, but it’s good to keep an eye on your financial goals, too!
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 Ashford 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: