First, some facts. Of the Psychology graduates from Grand Valley 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 43 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Slightly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 66%, Psychology graduates from Grand Valley State University have a slightly lower likelihood (-1%) 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, 44% 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: 100%We think this person has gone into a career highly relevant to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2014 from Grand Valley State University with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Psychology. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONChildrens Protective Services InvestigatorState of Michigan Jan 2015 - Jul 2017 Adult Protective Services Investigator State of Michigan Jul 2017 - Present ABOUTNo information provided. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
From the analysis of jobs held by graduates of Grand Valley State University with a degree in Psychology, it's clear that a variety of career paths have been taken. Many graduates have found positions closely related to their academic background, especially in roles such as Child Life Specialists, Case Managers, and Behavioral Health Technicians. These jobs directly apply psychological principles, focusing on supporting individuals through mental health challenges, managing cases, and applying knowledge of child development. Notably, roles within community health services and educational settings, such as school counselors and special education teachers, also leverage psychological theories effectively in their day-to-day work.
However, not all graduates have pursued careers that closely align with their psychology degree. Many have ventured into fields like sales, administrative roles, and customer service positions, which often do not require specific psychological knowledge. Positions such as Executive Recruiter and Assistant Manager at various companies show that some individuals utilize general interpersonal skills rather than deep psychological principles. Overall, while there are many relevant roles that visibly tie back to psychology, a significant number have taken paths where their degree’s influence is somewhat limited or indirectly applied, suggesting a diverse application of their educational experiences.
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 Grand Valley State University):
Graduates with a degree in Psychology from Grand Valley State University have pursued a variety of career paths, with many stepping into roles that are quite relevant to their major, especially in mental health, education, and social services. For instance, in the early years after graduation, many appear to land jobs like Clinical Case Manager, Child Life Specialist, or several positions related to community mental health. This indicates that those who studied psychology often start their careers in fields that utilize their understanding of human behavior, social dynamics, and mental health support.
However, as we look further down the line—about five to ten years post-graduation—the trajectories start to vary more significantly. While some graduates continue to climb the ranks in relevant fields, such as becoming Adult Services Supervisors or Licensed Independent Clinical Social Workers, others seem to shift into roles that are less directly related to psychology, like administrative or sales positions. For many, this suggests that while they may initially find jobs closely aligned with their degree, changing circumstances or interests lead them to careers that are more generalized. Overall, it seems like there’s a solid grounding in psychology-related roles early on, but the longer-term outcomes reveal a diverse range of career paths that may or may not leverage their psychology training fully.
Hey! So, when it comes to a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at Grand Valley State University—or really any school—it often falls somewhere in the middle in terms of difficulty. You’ll definitely dive deep into topics like human behavior, development, and research methods, which can be super interesting but also requires a fair amount of reading and writing. Some classes can be challenging, especially if you're not into stats, because there's usually a research or statistical component involved. Overall, it’s not a walk in the park, but if you're genuinely interested in the subject and keep up with your coursework, you can definitely manage it without too much stress!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Psychology.
When you look at the job paths of these Grand Valley State University psychology grads, it seems like they’ve got a mixed bag when it comes to making money. Some have really solid careers ahead of them, like the Case Manager who is already moving up in their job or the Executive Recruiter who’s likely pulling in a decent paycheck at a staffing firm. Others, like those sticking with teaching or working in community services, might not see the big bucks unless they take on more responsibilities or get advanced degrees. Overall, it looks like a lot of them are doing fulfilling work, which is awesome, but if they’re hoping to cash in big time, some may need to rethink their career strategies.
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 Grand Valley 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: