First, some facts. Of the Psychology graduates from Indiana University Bloomington 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 54 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 61%, Psychology graduates from Indiana University Bloomington have a lower likelihood (-6%) 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, 57% 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: 61%We think this person has gone into a career only somewhat relevant to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2015 from Indiana University Bloomington with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONField Experience InternCollege Internship Program Jan 2015 - May 2015 Applied Behavior Analysis Therapist Damar Services, Inc. Sep 2015 - Jul 2017 Clinical Support Therapist Damar Services, Inc. Jul 2017 - Oct 2017 Program Coordinator Damar Services, Inc. Oct 2017 - Present ABOUTNo information provided. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
When looking at the careers of people who graduated with a Psychology degree from Indiana University Bloomington, two major paths emerge. First, many graduates found their way into positions that directly utilize their psychological knowledge and skills, such as mental health counselors, therapists, and academic roles like instructors and professors. On the flip side, we see a significant number of graduates in jobs that largely sidestep the core principles of psychology, leaning more towards administrative or management roles that don’t require a deep understanding of human behavior.
The most common jobs that are actually related to psychology include roles like Mental Health Counselor, Direct Support Professional, and various teaching positions. These jobs involve working closely with individuals, assessing their needs, and applying psychological theories and techniques to help them. Positions like these leverage the knowledge gained during their Bachelor’s degree, often making graduates feel like they’re making a meaningful impact by directly applying their education to help others. For instance, jobs such as Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner and Mental Health Therapist heavily rely on psychological expertise to diagnose and provide care for patients. These positions indicate a strong alignment with the educational background in psychology.
However, a notable trend in the data reveals that a significant portion of graduates have pursued careers in areas where psychology knowledge is less critical. Many have taken on roles in administration, sales, and operational management roles that don’t directly connect to psychological principles. For example, being a Front Office Supervisor or a Talent Acquisition Coordinator in a corporate environment often relies more on organizational or customer service skills rather than an understanding of psychological concepts. Roles like these indicate a disconnect from the intended application of a psychology degree, which may lead to underutilization of the valuable skills these individuals acquired during their studies. Thus, while there are plenty of opportunities for psychology graduates to flourish in their field, many also find themselves in jobs that don’t fully capitalize on their expertise.
In conclusion, while there are abundant career paths for Indiana University psychology graduates that align with their education, many have branched into roles that afford them little chance to leverage their psychology skills effectively. Ultimately, this mix of related and unrelated roles highlights both the versatility of a psychology degree and the challenges graduates face in finding positions that truly utilize their expertise.
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 Indiana University Bloomington):
When looking at the career trajectories of graduates from the Psychology program at Indiana University Bloomington, it's pretty interesting to see the variety and twists in their paths. Many of these graduates seem to land in roles that are reasonably connected to psychology early on, particularly in mental health and social services. For instance, a number of them took on roles like Behavioral Interventionist, Direct Support Professional, or Mental Health Counselor right after graduation, indicating that they were diving straight into work that applies their academic knowledge right off the bat. This initial phase is often characterized by positions in direct care, counseling, and research, which makes sense given their degree.
As we peer into what these graduates are doing five or ten years down the line, the landscape shifts quite a bit. While many do maintain roles in the mental health and social work sectors, others veer off into related fields like project management, education, and even corporate roles that leverage their communication and analytical skills. For example, some individuals become professors, consultants, or project managers. This shows a range of options that psychology graduates can explore, depending on their interests and how they choose to leverage their degree after gaining a bit of experience. However, there's also evidence of graduates straying far from psychology-related jobs—some end up in positions that seem less directly connected, like talent acquisition or logistics, which might suggest a detachment from their original field of study.
Overall, while many graduates seem to find their footing in careers that align closely with psychology or social services right after school, as time goes on, others branch out or settle into jobs that don't fully reflect their academic background. It could be that they discovered new passions or realized that a direct application of psychology wasn't the path for them. This mix of outcomes presents a realistic picture: psychology offers a solid foundation for various careers, but not all grads may stick closely to the mental health realm as they progress in their professional lives. So, whether it's pursuing an advanced degree, transitioning into education, or exploring the corporate world, Indiana University Bloomington's psychology graduates definitely have a diverse set of trajectories to consider.
Honestly, getting a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at Indiana University Bloomington, or really anywhere, can be a bit of a mixed bag. It’s not the easiest degree out there, but it's not the hardest, either. You’ll definitely have to put in some serious effort, especially when it comes to understanding concepts in research methods and statistics, which can be pretty tricky. There’s a lot of reading and writing involved, and you’ll have classes that challenge how you think about human behavior. But if you’re interested in the subject and stay on top of your assignments, you can definitely manage it! It’s one of those degrees where your passion for the material can really make a difference in how tough it feels. Overall, I’d say it's about average in terms of difficulty, especially compared to some of the more rigorous science or engineering fields.
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Psychology.
When looking at the career paths of these Indiana University Bloomington psychology graduates, it seems like there’s a mixed bag when it comes to salary potential. Many of the graduates, especially those working in therapy, counseling, or educational roles, might not be earning the big bucks right away, especially in entry-level or early-career positions. Jobs like Behavioral Interventionist, Administrative Assistant, or even some coordinator roles often start at lower wages, which can be a bit tough if you’re paying off student loans or trying to live independently right after college.
However, as you follow their careers, there are instances of upward mobility. Some graduates who stayed in the field, like social workers and counselors, have moved into higher positions, and can eventually earn decent salaries, especially once they get licensed or gain more experience. Plus, those who went into corporate roles or specialized positions in healthcare often seem to land higher-paying jobs. So, while some may start earning modest salaries, with experience and advancement opportunities, they could end up making a good living down the road.
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 Indiana University Bloomington). 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: