First, some facts. Of the Psychology graduates from University of Missouri-Columbia 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 46 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Slightly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 65%, Psychology graduates from University of Missouri-Columbia have a slightly lower likelihood (-2%) 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: 5%We think this person has NOT gone into a career related to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2019 from University of Missouri-Columbia with a Bachelor of Arts - BA in Psychology. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONYouth Specialist IIMissouri Department of Social Services Aug 2019 - Oct 2019 Loan Closing Assistant North American Savings Bank Jul 2020 - Oct 2021 Mortgage Operations Coordinator North American Savings Bank Oct 2021 - Mar 2023 ABOUTNo information provided. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
After looking through the LinkedIn profiles of individuals who graduated with a Psychology degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia, it’s clear that there’s a mix of job types they’ve taken on. A significant number of these jobs are directly relevant to psychology, especially roles like therapists, counselors, and community support specialists, which utilize the psychological principles and skills learned during their education. Many graduates have found positions as mental health professionals, such as therapists and counselors, where they can apply their knowledge of psychology on a daily basis. Positions in schools and social services, like school counselors and social workers, also strongly rely on understanding human behavior and psychological principles, indicating a clear alignment with their degree. Particularly, jobs that involve direct client interaction and mental health support tend to show a strong relevance to psychology.
On the flip side, we also see a fair number of graduates in roles that are not closely related to psychology, such as various customer service positions, administrative roles, and even sales. While some of these jobs can involve interpersonal skills that might benefit from psychology knowledge, they don't require the same depth of psychological understanding or expertise that being a therapist or counselor would. It appears that many graduates have settled into roles that may not fully utilize their degree. Overall, while there's a substantial representation of jobs that are directly relevant to psychology, a significant portion of graduates have ventured into areas where their psychology background doesn’t play a core role, leading to a mixed bag of relevance in their career paths.
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 University of Missouri-Columbia):
When looking at the career trajectories of graduates from the Psychology program at the University of Missouri-Columbia, it seems like they have often taken paths that, while varied, have some consistent themes. Many early-career jobs right after graduation lean towards roles that involve direct support, community service, or education. For instance, we see many starting out as community support specialists, counselors, or teachers, which makes sense given that a psychology degree provides a great foundation for understanding and helping others. It appears that a solid number of graduates continue to work in fields related to mental health, education, or social services within five years, solidifying their roles as therapists, counselors, or educators. However, some graduates have also diverted into completely different fields that may not directly relate to psychology.
By the ten-year mark, the career paths seem to become more specialized, with those who stuck closely to their psychology roots often moving into roles such as licensed therapists, directors of various programs, or educational administrators. It’s clear that many have found fulfilling careers that align with their degree, contributing positively to society and making a difference in people's lives. Yet, a number of graduates choose careers that seem unrelated, such as administrative roles, sales, and project management. This suggests that while a psychology degree provides valuable skills applicable in numerous fields, not everyone stays on a direct path related to psychology. In essence, graduates have a wide range of experiences, but many demonstrate a tendency towards meaningful work connected to their studies over time.
Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at the University of Missouri-Columbia can be a bit of a mixed bag in terms of difficulty. On one hand, if you're really interested in human behavior and are willing to put in the effort, you might find it enjoyable and manageable. The coursework includes a mix of foundational classes and more specialized topics, which can get challenging, especially the statistics and research methods components. But if you're someone who likes to stay organized and can juggle reading and assignments, you could do well. Overall, it's kind of on par with what you'd expect for a college degree—definitely requires dedication, but not insurmountably tough if you stay on top of things!
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 Psychology grads from the University of Missouri-Columbia, it seems like they're kind of mixed when it comes to making decent money. Some have climbed the ladder into more stable and potentially lucrative positions, like a Director at a school or a psychologist at a well-known institution, which generally pays well. Others have taken roles in community support and teaching, which might not offer the best salaries, especially in the earlier years. There’s definitely a trend where many start off with less glamorous jobs but gradually find their way into roles that could lead to better pay. Overall, while some are definitely on a good financial track, others may still be working their way up.
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 University of Missouri-Columbia). 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: