BPS Graduate 2000 Project* Career Destinations of year 2000 Psychology Graduates 1 Dr Darren Van Laar, Applied Psychology Unit, University of Portsmouth *Sponsored by the British Psychological Society

Collecting First Destinations data All University careers services survey the first destinations of their graduates in the January following graduation But how useful are first destinations to understanding the careers of psychology graduates? The BPS decided to fund APU Portsmouth to investigate the first destinations of psychology graduates and to investigate the career trajectories of year 2000 graduates, 7 years on. 2

The BPS Graduate 2000 Project 1. First Destinations: In 1994 the BPS funded a survey of the first destinations of psychology undergraduates and were surprised to find that the majority of graduates did not enter occupations or courses directly related to psychology. No follow-up study for 20 years despite huge changes in the discipline of psychology and anecdotal evidence suggesting people came back to psychology careers after gaining skills and experience elsewhere. 3

Introduction to the BPS Graduate 2000 Project 2. Career Trajectories: No one knows whether the first destinations of psychology students are related to their later careers Part of the reason for this lack of evidence is that it is extremely difficult to find out this information as most Universities do not keep track of contact details after graduation. However, about 10% of psychology undergraduates join the BPS and are still members after 7 years, and these can be tracked. 4

1. First Destinations ‘95 to ‘05 HESA has been keeping data on the First destinations of all UK graduates since In the 10 years 1995 to 2005, there was an 110% rise in psychology graduates 31% rise for graduates overall Psychology is the fastest growing degree course in the UK (New Statesman, 2006) 5

The rise of Psychology 6

Psychology FD ‘95 to ‘05 Employment rates for psychology graduates rose (57% to 61%) Graduates overall (64% to 63%) Percent undertaking further study/training fell slightly (25% to 24.2%) Graduates overall (21% to 22.7%) Unemployment decreased (10% to 6.0%) Graduates overall (9% to 6.2%) 7

Type of Work 2005 Seven categories make up 90% of the first destination occupations Psychology graduates go into: % ‘Other’ Occupations, e.g. care assistants % Clerical and Secretarial, e.g. admin officers % Social and Welfare Professionals, e.g. community workers; counsellors; general psychologists; % Retail, Catering, Waiting & Bar Staff % Business, & Financial Professionals and Clerks, e.g. accountants, book-keepers % Marketing, Sales & Advertising % Education Professionals, e.g. teachers & lecturers 8

Summary Destinations Generally Psychology Graduates are doing well! Many more Psychologists are being trained than 10 years ago Psychology graduates appear to enter jobs where they can use their ‘people skills’ About 40% of Psychology graduates enter jobs or training which might lead indirectly to a professional Psychology qualification 9

2. Career Trajectories 430 Year 2000 psychology graduates who were also members of the BPS completed the survey 91.9% were currently employed, 1.2% unemployed 78.8% were employed in the public sector, 16.6% in private sector, 4.5% by charities By % of employment required a degree and 96.2% were in psychology related occupations 10

Degree skills, seven years on 11 Skills developed on your degree course versus used on your job

Salary (£K) after 7 years 12 Average salary for those employed was £28,270 With an average of £35,480, Occupational Psychologists were the best paid psychology profession

Usefulness of sources of Careers Information 13 Percent agreeing useful or not useful

Satisfaction with career 7 years on 14 Percent satisfied with their career so far

And finally… Most Psychology graduates do not go on to ‘Psychology track’ jobs Those surveyed who do become psychologists are overwhelmingly happy in their job choice Psychology graduates have one of the lowest unemployment rates 6 months after graduation … and that just about every job suitable for a general graduate will be done best by a Psychologist! 15

Thanks for listening… Dr Darren Van Laar, Applied Psychology Unit, Department of Psychology, University of Portsmouth, PO1 2DY Many thanks to Julie Udell, University of Portsmouth, was the research assistant on this project, and to the BPS for funding it. 16