Advantages of a Psychology Major

For those who are interested in a psychology career, there are many advantages that they can look forward to. Psychologists can experience the fulfillment of helping others, enjoy a high earning potential, can learn about people and how they think, and may have quite a bit of variety in their work.

Some people go into psychology wanting to help people, and a psychology career is an excellent means to find that fulfillment and satisfaction. Even at an otherwise routine appointment, there is an opportunity to help a person solely by listening. For some, this simple act can make an enormous difference, especially if they believe there is no one else willing to listen to their stories. There are some specialties or divisions of psychology where the act of helping is more overt, such as is the case for clinical psychology, but all psychologists have daily opportunities to feel fulfillment from helping their patients, including those in research settings.

One of the major advantages of a psychology career is the high earning potential. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for psychologists in clinical, counseling, and school settings was $72,580.00 in 2015. Those earning the highest 10 percent in these divisions commanded salaries over $100,000. For individuals practicing in the I-O division, even higher salaries are available. The median income for these psychologists was $77,010 in 2008, and the highest 10 percent of earners had salaries close to $150,000.
Individuals who go into the field of psychology typically have a natural curiosity about human behavior in addition to a desire to help others. It can be very exciting to learn about different people and the things that make those people different from each other. Treating individuals with mental illnesses can be intriguing from an intellectual standpoint.

While psychologists may see the same patient multiple times, they will continuously see new and different patients as well. As some patients graduate from therapy and move on, new patients with new concerns will arrive. Additionally, new mental illnesses are still being defined and diagnosed. The potential exists for a practitioner to see new patients with new disorders on a regular basis.

There are several advantages to a psychology career, including the ability to help others, the high earning potential, the opportunity to learn about human behavior, and the variety inherent in the work. If these things seem of interest, psychology may be an appropriate career choice.