A degree in any subject represents a passport to a better standard of living and a better quality of life.
A degree in psychology opens up multiple career options.

Specific openings:

• Clinical psychology is perhaps the outlet most widely known by the general public, although there remains an element of the lay person about the role of the clinical psychologist.Clinical psychologists work in the field of mental health. They are behavioural practitioners applying their knowledge about how behaviour patterns are acquired to change inappropriate patterns
  and replace them with more adaptive ones, hence, the clinical psychologist, for example, seeks to manipulate the behaviour of the alcoholic, to enable him to cope without the need to resort to drink. This is in contrast to the psychiatrist, who seeks to change behaviour by administering drugs. Within clinical psychology, practitioners specialise. In the paediatric sphere, for example, they work with children with behavioural problems; in the geriatric field, their primary responsibility is linked to the care of the elderly disturbed, and so on.
  
  
• A related and growing profession is that of Health psychology. Here, the psychologist's role is to work in the arena of physical medicine. Behavioural patterns contribute to heart disease, strokes, cancer and, indeed, behavioural patterns are implicated in every form of illness. The role of the health psychologist is to assist patients to change their behavioural habits to ones which reduce the recurrence of illness and so forth.
  
  
• Forensic psychology is a popular route for some graduates today. Here, the role is in the criminal area. Psychologists analyse behavioural clues at the scenes of crimes to help to identify the perpetrator. Prison psychologists operate in the prison sector, seeking to assist those who have developed antisocial behaviour patterns, to instate more social reactions.
  
  
• Educational psychologists work in the school context, seeking to help children facing multiple forms of adversity, by equipping them with the behavioural skills to overcome their problems.
  
  
• Occupational psychologists function in the work situation. Most major corporations employ psychologists who optimise satisfaction for the employee and productivity.
  
  
• Research psychologists specialise in conducting research in their chosen area of interest to increase understanding about a particular behavioural pattern. For instance, there are those who dedicate their research expertise to identifying the mechanisms precipitating and maintaining eating disorders. Others may attempt to understand the factors which increase the likelihood of road accidents or contribute to insomnia, for example.
  
  These represent some of the major specific career outlets. Beyond this there are many more general opportunities.
  
• Most professions involving people would welcome a psychology graduate.
• The nursing professions are always keen to recruit psychology graduates.
• The police force recognises the vital skills the psychology graduates brings.
• The field of social work is pleased to take on board former psychology students.

For further information about career opportunities,
contact the British Psychological Society.