What can I do with my degree?

 I won’t get a job after I graduate.  I won’t make much money.  I won’t get in to graduate school.  I don’t know what I want to do.  I know I want to go to graduate school, but I don’t know what degree I want to pursue.

Linear Career PathNon-Linear Career Path

 Critical Thinking  Life-Long Learning  Logic and Reasoning  Self Management  Self Empowerment  Social Responsibility  Communication Skills  Analytical Thinking  A Sense of Values & Ethics  Global Awareness  Teamwork  Leadership Skills  Computer and Other Technology Skills  Time Management Emphasizes:

 Government (6%)  Business (61%)  Non-Profit (15%)  Education (12%)  Military (4%)  Self-Employment (2%)

 Transferable Skills ◦ Skills that are valued by the majority of employers ◦ Skills that you can take from one career to the next

 Human Services  Government  Business  Education  Non-profit

 Academic advisor  Alcohol/drug abuse counselor  Career counselor  Case worker  Counselor’s assistant  Child care worker  Director of volunteer services  Gerontology aide  Group home coordinator  Mental health program manager  Outreach worker  Rehabilitation advisor  Residential youth counselor  Student life coordinator

 Case worker  Child protection worker  Family services worker  Veteran’s advisor  Mental health paraprofessional  Juvenile intake worker  Law enforcement officer  Corrections officer  Parole officer  Probation officer  Program development  Rehabilitation advisor  Residential youth counselor  Research assistant  Foreign service officer

 Advertising agent  Human resources ◦ Employee development ◦ Training coordinator ◦ Recruiter ◦ Affirmative action  Manager ◦ Sales ◦ Benefits  Public affairs coordinator  Public relations specialist ◦ Research ◦ Programming ◦ Fundraising ◦ Public Speaking  Publisher/Editor  Radio/TV research assistant  Retail and Sales specialist

 Admissions counselor  Child care provider  Preschool teacher  Para-Educator  After-school program coordinator  Community health educator  English teacher in foreign countries  College recruiter  Research assistant

 Grant writer  Development director  Recruiter  Media relations specialist  Business development coordinator  Community outreach coordinator  Program manager  Community organizer

Don’t worry about an exact job title… Instead, focus on the problems you want to solve.

 Human Services  Government  Business  Education  Non-profit organization

 Children  Adolescents  College Students  Adults  Elderly

 Individual  Family  Group ◦ Ex. Classroom, Support Group  Organization ◦ Ex. School, Hospital, Business, Non-Profit, College  Community  Society/Global Level

 Abuse/Domestic Violence  Addiction  Adoption/Foster Care  Aging Concerns  Behavior Problems  College Student Affairs  Community Health  Eating Disorders  Disabilities  Foreign Affairs  Homelessness  Human Trafficking  Immigration  Incarceration/Crime  Job Training/Employment  Juvenile Delinquency  Law/Policy  Literacy  Minority Issues  Poverty  Teen Pregnancy  Veterans Affairs  (Or, insert whatever interest you have…)

 “I plan on working with children with behavior problems in a community agency.”  “I hope to work for a government program related to poverty or homelessness.”  “I want to work in business for a company related to the sports industry.”  “I plan on working for a international non-profit organization related to improving access to health care in other parts of the world.”

 Communication Studies  Community and Regional Planning  Leadership Development  Legal Studies  Health Promotion / Public Health  MBA (Master’s in Business Administration) ◦ UNL’s MABA program!  Public Administration  Public Relations  Student Affairs  Youth Development

 Evaluate your: ◦ Interests ◦ Abilities ◦ Values ◦ Personality ◦ Goals  Pretend you’re done with your Psychology degree and start looking for a job ◦ There are probably jobs you’ve never heard of or thought about

Part-Time JobsInternshipsVolunteer/Service OpportunitiesResearchStudent Organizations/LeadershipEducation Abroad

 Experience, Experience, Experience!!!  Networking  Research  Relevant Coursework  Letters of Recommendation  Career Portfolio  Campus Involvement  Professional Organizations  Career Services  Your Advisers

 I will change my mind, and that’s okay!  My interests, skills, and values will change over time, and that’s okay!  People “help people” in every industry.  An interest in Psychology and a desire to “help people” doesn’t always equal therapist  Computer/technology skills are essential in the work world in every position  Skills, experience, and knowledge are more important than your GPA  You can go to grad school outside of psychology!

 You’re afraid of making the wrong decision.  You’re expecting a ‘light bulb’ moment.  You’re not connecting your hobbies or interests to careers.  You’re only focusing on classes and not the whole degree/college experience.  You’re going it alone.

 You don’t have to decide what you’re going to do for the rest of your life right now.  You do need to start doing things to figure it out. ◦ Schedule an appointment with Career Coaches in A&S Advising Center (107 Oldfather) or your Psychology Advisors (235 Burnett) if you don’t know where to start.

 Write down 3 things that you can do to advance toward your career goals ◦ Be specific! ◦ Give yourself a deadline!