First, some facts. Of the Psychology graduates from California State University, Chico 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 29 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Slightly above average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 69%, Psychology graduates from California State University, Chico have a slightly higher likelihood (+2%) 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, only 27% 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 a Bachelors degree is enough for most Psychology graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.
See the details:
Relevance score: 100%We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2020 from California State University, Chico with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONRecovery CoachCrestwood Behavioral Health, Inc. Apr 2021 - Present ABOUTRecent Chico State graduate with a B.A. in Psychology. I am able to listen to others and help them with any problems they are faced with. I have exceptional listening and interpersonal skills after interning at TaylorMade Golf with Chris Pural. I also became the top yard worker at Dixieline in Solana Beach after my first month of working there. When I worked at Dixieline, I was able to supply customers with what they needed and also gave plenty of advice for their various projects. I have very strong communicative skills and can make sure everyone gets what they need in a timely manner. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
When looking through the job histories of graduates from California State University, Chico with a degree in Psychology, a mix of paths emerges. Many of these individuals have ventured into roles that leverage their psychological training, particularly in fields like behavioral health, counseling, and social work. Positions such as Early Behavior Interventionist, Behavioral Health Counselor, and Mental Health Clinician showcase a clear connection to psychological principles, emphasizing direct application of their studies to help others. This reflects a common trend where graduates actively seek positions that utilize their skills in mental health settings, which are genuinely relevant to their academic background.
On the flip side, there are quite a few graduates who have ended up in roles that don’t directly relate to psychology, such as various positions in sales, customer service, or finance, including roles like Senior Mortgage Banker and Inbound Sales Representative. While these jobs may occasionally utilize aspects of interpersonal skills or understanding of human behavior, they largely do not draw from the core teachings of a psychology degree. This split highlights a reality that not every graduate ends up in a psychology-focused career, and many find themselves in positions where their degree may not be as directly applicable as initially hoped. Overall, the trend leans towards relevance in positions linked with mental health, but there's still a notable number in unrelated fields, showcasing the diverse opportunities and sometimes unexpected twists that follow graduation.
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 California State University, Chico):
When we look at the career paths of Psychology graduates from California State University, Chico, it seems there's a mixed bag of experiences. For many, the first jobs after graduation tend to be in fields that either directly apply their psychology training, like behavior therapy or counseling roles, or are a bit of a detour, like serving or sales positions. For instance, the graduates from 2010-2013 took a range of roles including career counseling, behavior intervention, and even some roles quite removed from psychology, such as being a mortgage banker. It appears that some folks might initially tap into jobs that align with their degree, but a significant number drift off into areas not closely related to psychology, especially early in their careers.
Fast forward 5 to 10 years later, and the trajectory seems to branch out further. A chunk of graduates end up back focusing on mental health and counseling roles, like becoming behavioral health technicians or clinical therapists. Others, however, still find themselves in positions that don't relate closely to their psychology background—like sales or marketing jobs. This suggests that while a solid portion of students find meaningful work in the psychology field over time, a fair number of them take longer paths or pivot entirely into different industries, leading to mixed outcomes regarding their alignment with their degree. Overall, it seems like a varied landscape where passion for the field can pay off, but also where many find themselves navigating through different career arenas after graduation.
Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at California State University, Chico, is pretty manageable, but it definitely has its challenges. Like many psychology programs, you’ll dive into a mix of interesting topics, from developmental and social psychology to research methods and statistics. If you enjoy thinking about human behavior and have a knack for understanding concepts, you might find it on the easier side. However, there are some heavy reading loads and writing assignments that can be tough if you're not used to them. Overall, it’s not the easiest degree out there, but with some dedication and a genuine interest in the subject, most students can handle it just fine!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Psychology.
Looking at these graduates from California State University, Chico, it's a mixed bag when it comes to their earning potential. Those who went into fields like mortgage banking seem to be doing pretty well, especially since many of them held senior positions for multiple years, which usually means decent salaries. However, others, especially in roles like servers or behavior technicians, often start at lower pay scales that might not be too impressive, especially in high-cost areas of California. It seems like if they moved into specialized roles or advanced further in their careers—like becoming therapists or working in marketing—they could see a significant financial boost. Overall, while some are likely making a solid income, others appear to be grinding it out in lower-paying jobs, so it's not exactly a straightforward path to big bucks for everyone.
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 California State University, Chico). 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: