First, some facts. Of the Psychology graduates from Stephen F. Austin 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 23 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 61%, Psychology graduates from Stephen F. Austin State University 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, 65% 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: 50%We think this person has gone into a career only somewhat relevant to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2013 from Stephen F. Austin State University with a Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.Sc.) in Psychology. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONInspector VTexas Department of Aging and Disability Services Dec 2015 - 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 various jobs that psychology graduates from Stephen F. Austin State University have taken on, a few common trends emerge. Many have found positions in education, such as educators and school psychologists, where understanding student behavior and mental processes can really come into play. Additionally, positions in human resources and operations appear frequently, with graduates applying their knowledge of human behavior to help manage employee relations and enhance workplace dynamics. However, it’s important to point out that while these roles might utilize some psychology-related skills, they often don't center around the core principles of psychology. In sectors like retail and sales, such as store management and sales positions, there's even less relevance to psychology training, focusing more on practical management and customer service skills.
On the flip side, there are a number of graduates who are directly involved in psychological practices, such as therapists and licensed psychological associates. These roles strongly align with their educational background, as they require the application of psychological knowledge and techniques on a very regular basis. Overall, it seems that many graduates have taken on jobs that either do not fully utilize their psychology degrees or apply certain principles in a more indirect or peripheral way. Therefore, while there are definitely paths where they can leverage their psychology education effectively, many graduates might find that their jobs are not entirely centered on psychology, especially in sectors outside of mental health and education.
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 Stephen F. Austin State University):
Graduates of the Psychology program at Stephen F. Austin State University have carved out a variety of career paths, suggesting a blend of success and diversity in how they apply their degree. Many of these alumni appear to secure their first jobs in roles that are somewhat related to psychology, such as educators, human resources positions, or entry-level mental health roles, which makes sense given that psychology offers foundational skills applicable in a number of fields. For instance, some graduates have taken on teaching roles or have moved into human resources, where understanding human behavior is crucial. However, not all first jobs are directly tied to psychology; some have jumped into sales or retail, which could indicate a need to find immediate work rather than pursuing a strictly psychology-related path right out of college.
As we look five to ten years down the line, the trends continue to mix. Several graduates have moved into roles that clearly leverage their psychology background, such as licensed psychologists or positions in mental health care. Others, however, seem to find themselves in more general management or administrative roles, which may not directly utilize their psychology training. While this suggests that a psychology degree offers flexibility in career options, it also indicates that some graduates may be branching into fields that aren’t fully aligned with their studies. Overall, it appears that while many people have cultivated successful careers within or tangentially related to psychology, a notable number have also ventured into fields seemingly unrelated to their major, indicating a varied landscape of career trajectories following their education at SFA.
So, when it comes to a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, it's pretty much on the moderate to slightly challenging side—definitely not the easiest thing out there, but it's manageable if you're interested in the subject. At places like Stephen F. Austin State University, you’ll dive into topics like human behavior, research methods, and maybe a few statistics, so there's a bit of math involved, which can trip some people up. But if you’re passionate about understanding how people think and behave, that passion can really help you push through the tougher spots. Overall, it’s not a cakewalk, but it’s not a total nightmare either—just a solid mix of reading, writing, and some critical thinking.
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 Stephen F. Austin State University psychology graduates, it seems like they’ve had pretty varied experiences in terms of salary. For example, some like the legal intern or law clerk roles likely started off on the lower side but could potentially move to higher-paying positions, especially in law enforcement or education administration, like being an Assistant Principal or HR roles, which often pay decently. However, there are grads in retail or entry-level positions that might not bring in a lot of dough, especially right out of school. In short, while some appear to be climbing the ladder to decent salaries, others might still be in roles that don’t pay as well, showing that it’s a mixed bag overall when it comes to making good money after graduation.
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 Stephen F. Austin 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: