First, some facts. Of the Psychology graduates from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 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 57 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Slightly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 62%, Psychology graduates from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have a slightly lower likelihood (-5%) 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, 66% 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: 47%We think this person has gone into a career only somewhat relevant to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2018 from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a Bachelor of Arts - BA in Psychology. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONDelivery DriverUPS Oct 2018 - Jan 2019 Supervisor UPS Feb 2019 - Mar 2020 Operations Manager Target Mar 2020 - Present ABOUTNo information provided. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
Analyzing the career paths of individuals with a degree in Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill reveals a wide range of job roles, with varying degrees of relevance to psychology itself. The most common types of jobs these graduates have taken include positions in education, counseling, and health services. While many roles directly align with their academic training—like school counselors, therapists, and clinical research assistants—others seem to diverge significantly, showcasing just how flexible a psychology degree can be.
Many of the notable job titles, such as school counselors, therapists, and various counseling interns, demonstrate a high degree of connection to the skills acquired during the psychology program. These roles require interpersonal skills, psychological assessment techniques, and an understanding of human behavior, which are all key elements of a psychology education. For example, many graduates served as school counselors working directly with students to address emotional and academic challenges, making their work highly relevant to their studies. Similarly, positions like Clinical Social Work Intern and Therapeutic Counselors showed a strong application of psychological principles in real-world settings.
On the flip side, there are numerous instances where graduates have ventured into positions that don't directly utilize their psychology background. Jobs in management roles, administrative tasks, and some positions in sales or marketing lacked a direct application of psychological knowledge. For instance, many found positions like Manager of Contracting, Account Manager, or roles focused on logistics and retail operations. These jobs may benefit from soft skills learned in their psychology coursework, such as communication and understanding human behavior, but they largely do not revolve around core psychological principles or theories.
In conclusion, while many psychology graduates from UNC have successfully transitioned into directly relevant fields that leverage their degree, a significant number have branched into areas less connected to formal psychology practice. This diversity in career choices highlights the versatile nature of a psychology degree, allowing graduates to adapt their skill sets to various industries, even if those roles do not predominantly focus on psychology as a discipline.
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 North Carolina at Chapel Hill):
Looking at the career trajectories of graduates from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a degree in Psychology, we can see some interesting patterns. Right after graduation, a fair number of these individuals seem to venture into roles that are intricately linked to psychology, such as school counseling, therapy, and clinical roles. For instance, many graduates accepted positions as teachers, counselors, or therapists almost immediately after their graduation, indicating a strong inclination to apply their psychology skills directly in educational and healthcare settings. Even those who started in unrelated fields often transitioned into roles more aligned with their degree within a few years.
Fast forward five or ten years after graduation, and it appears that many of these individuals have continued to advance in their careers within the psychology realm or related fields. Several have gone from interns to licensed counselors or educational leaders, which suggests solid job growth for those who took initial positions in supportive roles to gain experience. There are graduates who have specialized further, entering advanced studies or professional roles—like becoming clinical directors, school principals, or even physicians—showcasing how a psychology degree can indeed serve as a foundational platform for diverse career pathways, including healthcare, education, and research domains. However, it's worth noting that not all tracks led back to psychology; some graduations resulted in careers in human resources, marketing, and even law. This potentially signals a divergence in paths where graduates are utilizing their psychological knowledge in various capacities that might not be traditional psychology roles.
Overall, it's clear that graduates with a Psychology degree from UNC-Chapel Hill often start their careers in supportive or related positions that leverage their education effectively. Five to ten years down the line, many of them appear to have made significant career advancements, predominantly within fields relevant to psychology, while others have creatively applied their skills in unrelated domains. This mix of outcomes illustrates the versatile nature of a psychology degree, providing students both a solid foundation for direct career paths in mental health and education and broader skills applicable in various industries. While many seem to thrive and build meaningful careers, there are certainly those who have explored alternative paths that might feel somewhat disconnected from their original degree. So, it’s a real mixed bag, but for a lot of these graduates, it does look like they’ve been able to land in fulfilling positions where they can make a difference.
Honestly, getting a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at UNC Chapel Hill can be a bit challenging, but it's not the hardest thing you could choose. You’ll dive into some interesting stuff like human behavior, mental processes, and research methods, which can be super engaging. The coursework can get a little intense, especially when you start tackling statistics and research projects, but if you stay organized and keep up with your readings, you should be fine. Overall, it’s about average in difficulty compared to other majors, but the key is finding the topics that really interest you; that way, you’ll stay motivated even when things get tougher!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Psychology.
Alright, let’s break this down. Looking at the job trajectories of these psychology graduates from UNC Chapel Hill, it seems like there are some promising career paths but also quite a few roles that might not bring in the big bucks. For example, graduates who moved into roles like school counselors or program coordinators often start with lower salaries, especially right out of college. School counseling can be super rewarding, but it doesn’t generally pay as high as some corporate jobs or specialized fields like medicine. Those who have landed managerial positions or roles at universities seem to be on a more lucrative path, which suggests they’re likely making decent money.
On the other hand, you have grads who’ve taken paths that might require more experience or advanced degrees to really see that paycheck. Roles like “Behavior Technician” or “Counseling Intern” are typically entry-level, and while they’re great for gaining experience, they often don’t pay that well. If you’re looking to make bank, specializing further in fields like pediatric hematology-oncology or transitioning into management, like what some grads have done, can really help boost those earnings. In sum, while some of these folks are probably doing well financially, others may be working hard without seeing the financial rewards just yet. It’s a mixed bag, but there’s definitely potential for growth as they gain experience and move up the ladder!
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 North Carolina at Chapel Hill). 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: