First, some facts. Of the Psychology graduates from Duke 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 28 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 59%, Psychology graduates from Duke 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, 53% 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: 97%We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2019 from Duke University with a Bachelor of Arts - BA in Psychology. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONClinical Research Specialist, SeniorDuke Center for Eating Disorders May 2019 - May 2021 Clinical Research Coordinator Duke Center for Eating Disorders May 2021 - Oct 2023 Clinical Research Coordinator, Tier 2 Duke Center for Eating Disorders Oct 2023 - Present Emergency Medical Technician National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians May 2024 - Present ABOUTExperienced Clinical Researcher with a passion for working in mental health care. Skilled in Adobe Audition, Microsoft Word, Data Analytics, Adobe Photoshop, and Website Building. Strong research professional with a Bachelor of Arts - BA focused in Psychology from Duke University. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
When it comes to graduates from Duke University with a degree in Psychology, the job landscape runs the gamut. Many have landed roles in fields that seem far removed from traditional psychology, such as data management, procurement, and operations roles. These positions often focus more on technical skills or business management rather than on applying psychological principles. For instance, roles like Commodity Manager or Data Manager primarily emphasize operational strategy and data analytics, which don’t typically make use of the psychological training gained during their studies. Even in roles like Emergency Communications or Marketing, while some familiarity with human behavior can be helpful, they don’t rely heavily on psychological expertise on a daily basis. This broader trend points to many psychology graduates working in sectors where their degree isn't the primary reliance for their job functions.
On the flip side, there’s a solid number of Duke psychology grads who have moved into roles that are directly relevant to their education. Jobs in clinical settings, research assistant positions, and teaching roles show a strong connection to psychology. For example, teaching special education or working as a psychotherapist involves direct application of psychological theories and skills. Similarly, many positions in research, especially in clinical or cognitive fields, seem to leverage the knowledge gained from a psychology degree effectively. Overall, while a significant portion of these grads may find themselves in roles that don’t require direct application of psychology, there are still plenty of examples where individuals are putting their psychological training to good use in meaningful and impactful ways.
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 Duke University):
The career trajectories for graduates with a Psychology degree from Duke University show a mix of paths, and it's pretty interesting to see how they evolve over time. Right after graduation, many of them tend to land roles that involve research, project management, or even internships related to clinical settings. For instance, a lot of graduates started as research associates or clinical research assistants, suggesting that they initially leverage their academic experience in research-heavy roles. Some have also ventured into teaching or community-focused roles, like those in AmeriCorps or educational settings, indicating that there's a strong inclination towards applying psychological principles in real-world contexts, especially early in their careers.
Fast forward five or ten years, and the story becomes more diverse. While some graduates have moved into roles that are very much aligned with psychology, like psychotherapists and clinical researchers, others have pivoted completely toward fields like marketing, finance, or operations management. It seems that while the first job is often closely related to their psychology background, many find opportunities in various sectors and may not necessarily stay within the realm of psychology. Notably, some have climbed the corporate ladder into managerial or director positions in vastly different fields. So, it's a mixed bag—while many have carved out successful careers relevant to psychology, there are quite a few who’ve taken a detour into other industries altogether. It's a blend of sticking to what they studied and exploring broader career options along the way.
Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at Duke University is pretty challenging, like most programs at top-tier schools. You’ll dive deep into complex theories and research methods, and the coursework can get pretty rigorous, especially if you're tackling statistics or research projects. There’s a lot of reading and writing involved, and you’ll have to really engage with the material to keep up. That said, if you’re passionate about the subject and are willing to put in the effort, it can also be really rewarding. Overall, it’s definitely more demanding than some other degrees, but it’s not impossible if you stay organized and motivated!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Psychology.
Looking at the career paths of these Duke Psychology grads, it seems like they've landed a good mix of jobs, but their earning potential really varies. Some folks, especially those moving quickly into managerial or specialized roles at companies like Bank of America and Viasat, are probably raking in decent salaries—possibly in the six-figure range now given their director-level positions. Others, like some in teaching or research roles, might be earning less, especially having started out in things like internships and assistant positions. Overall, while some are definitely in a solid financial spot, it’s clear that the paths in psychology can lead to a wide array of salaries, from pretty sweet to just okay, depending on the sector and specific roles.
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 Duke 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: