First, some facts. Of the Psychology graduates from Illinois Wesleyan 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 10 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 57%, Psychology graduates from Illinois Wesleyan University have a lower likelihood (-10%) 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, 40% 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 Illinois Wesleyan University with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONChild Care InternYWCA USA Jan 2014 - May 2014 Registered Behavior Technician Innovations In Learning Dec 2014 - Present Milieu Therapist Ann and Robert H. Lurie Childrens Hospital of Chicago May 2016 - Present ABOUTNo information provided. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
From analyzing the LinkedIn profiles of Illinois Wesleyan University psychology graduates, it seems that many have landed jobs in a variety of fields, with some directly related to psychology and others not so much. A significant number of graduates found their way into roles such as Registered Behavior Technicians, School Counselors, and Milieu Therapists, which clearly align with their psychology studies and involve applying psychological principles to help individuals, especially children and families. These positions definitely demonstrate how psychology can be utilized in practice, showcasing a clear connection to their degrees.
On the flip side, there's also a bunch of graduates who have taken on roles that seem pretty far removed from psychology. For example, jobs like Competitive Horse Farm Manager, Senior Barista, or even Consumer Research Analyst at a company primarily focused on data don't rely heavily on psychological principles. Many of these positions focus more on skills like management, customer service, or data analysis rather than the understanding of human behavior and mental processes that psychology majors are trained in. In general, while there are certainly notable examples of graduates working in psychology-related fields, a fair portion of them are in jobs where their psychology background isn't being leveraged to its full potential. That being said, having a psychology degree can still provide valuable insights and skills applicable to various roles!
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 Illinois Wesleyan University):
Based on the career trajectories of graduates from Illinois Wesleyan University who majored in Psychology, it seems like many have started off in positions that bridge support and administrative roles or directly relate to psychology in some capacity. For instance, alumni from 2011 and 2014 took on jobs as farm managers, administrative assistants, and childcare interns right after graduation. These initial roles often act as stepping stones, leading to more specialized positions in fields like child welfare, behavior therapy, or academic research within five years. By that point, many individuals have moved into serious, psychology-related careers, such as registered behavior technicians, school counselors, and even postdoctoral fellows in prestigious research settings like UCSF, showing a promising trajectory toward fulfilling careers in mental health, education, and research.
Fast forward ten years, and it looks like some of these graduates have landed noteworthy roles, often with a more solid link to their psychology background. For example, several graduates have found their way into significant positions as doctors of physical therapy, school counselors, and consumer research analysts, suggesting a mix of traditional psychology paths and related fields that still utilize their understanding of human behavior. While some did take alternate routes, such as retail or administrative positions, overall, the evidence suggests that many alumni have carved out meaningful career paths aligned with their training in psychology, turning their degrees into successful and relevant careers.
Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology can be a mixed bag depending on your interests and study habits. At Illinois Wesleyan University, like many liberal arts schools, you'll likely find it to be a solid challenge but not impossible. You'll be diving into a lot of theory, research methods, and maybe some stats, which can be tricky if math isn’t your strong suit. If you’re genuinely interested in how the mind works and enjoy reading and writing, it might feel more manageable than a degree that’s heavier on the sciences. Overall, expect a fair amount of reading, assignments, and group work, but if you're passionate about the subject, it can be a really rewarding experience!
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 job trajectories of these Illinois Wesleyan University graduates, it seems like there's a bit of a mixed bag when it comes to earnings. Some of the folks, especially those in specialized roles like the Postdoctoral Fellow and the various Physical Therapists, likely earn decent salaries, given the demand for their expertise. However, positions like the Graduate Assistant or roles in education and child care don't typically pay as well, especially early on. There are also many career paths represented here, with some individuals clearly progressing into higher-paying roles over time, while others might be stuck in lower-wage positions for a while. So, overall, while some have likely made good money, others may still be on their way or facing challenges in terms of salary.
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 Illinois Wesleyan 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: