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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

If you have a degree in psychology?

143 replies

MonstranceClock · 12/07/2019 16:34

What do you do?
I read a thread the other day where a lot of people were saying its basically worthless. I'm doing one now, and feeling very disheartened as I believed I could make a good career with it.

AIBU to ask what you do and what further training you had to do? I'd love to work for the police as a forensic psychologist, or maybe some sort of sex/relationship therapy

OP posts:
Original poster
MonstranceClock · 12/07/2019 19:19

I know 25 is young Grin

But I dont want to be studying well into my 30's. That is too old for me.

OP posts:
Kel801 · 12/07/2019 19:23

Psychiatric nurse , i would say my psychology degree is surprisingly useless in this career

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 12/07/2019 19:28

All joking aside, then, Monstrance, I'd forget about clinical psychology. Unless you have a top notch academic record and have the good luck to get a fantastic assistant psychologist job straight after your first degree, you won't get onto the DClinPsy within the first three years after you graduate. Also, if you already have children, it's a killer to co-ordinate childcare with distant placements working all hours, or so I was told by colleagues who'd done it.

waterallday · 12/07/2019 19:29

@Forensicpsych Thanks! What's a typical job description for what you do/day in your life?

How did you secure further training etc?

(Sorry don't know how to PM as I'm on the app!) Smile

alwaysdressedinyellow · 12/07/2019 19:35

I did Applied Psychology - absolutely helped me in my career in Organisational Development.

TwinkleTee · 12/07/2019 19:35

Clinical psychologist here. Undergrad psychology degrees are super useful like a PP has said in giving a good grounding not only in human behaviour, but research, statistics and the ability to critically analyse any research or information that is presented to you. Very useful in this "post truth" world
That said, out of my large circle of undergrad friends I'm the only one who is a Clinical Psych as others are teachers, work in sleep clinics, researchers, Occupational Therapists. All great careers that build on and use psychological knowledge

I also think its super useful to be approaching 30 if you are going to undertake clinical training (I started when I was 29) as you use every one of your life experiences and need to draw on a well of resilience to get you through the doctorate.

Good luck and don't be in a hurry! You'll cope much better with a hugely responsible job with a lot of learning and life experience under your belt.

DragonsOnRoof · 12/07/2019 20:04

But I dont want to be studying well into my 30's. That is too old for me.

I'm mid 30s and considering going to uni to start a new career from scratch.

I have lots of life experience and established emotional resillience so I'd say studying when as old as me age is a benefit, not a hindrance.

Piffyonarockbun · 12/07/2019 20:07

I did applied psychology. Im now a forensic collision investigator! I didnt realise when i picked my course that im not suited to working in an office. It didnt particularly help me but it showed an aptitude for learning that helped me get my current role.

TrainsandDiggers · 12/07/2019 20:52

Clinical Psychologist

baublegirl454 · 12/07/2019 21:03

I did a psychology degree, then couldn't afford to do a masters. So I worked in insurance for a while, and persuaded them to pay for my masters. I went for Occupational psychology as it had some relevance to the insurance I was in. I studied the masters part time while working full time, and handed in my dissertation on the due date of my eldest son! 14 years later I have worked freelance ever since, in Selection & Assessment. It's not exactly what I want to do, but it's flexible and pays well and I've fitted it around having 3 kids.

LostInTheColonies · 12/07/2019 21:07

Not me but DSis works as an intelligence analyst. MSc in criminal psych or forensic - i can't remember which. She loves it.

PinkFlowerFairy · 12/07/2019 21:10

Im a teacher, but wish Id retrained as an OT.

I didnt realise an occupational psyh could earn 75k. Id really like a well paid, flexible job! I missed the boat a bit!

Jurassiclover · 12/07/2019 21:11

I'm a trainer for a call centre... So yeah not glamorous haha. Although only graduated a year ago so still time I guess. I was adamant I didn't want to do anymore education, my undergrad almost broke me tbh and I don't think my mental health could take uni again, but then again, there's always plenty of time so never say never I guess. Although my job may not be 'professional' as such it's still above nmw so not all bad

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 12/07/2019 21:20

PinkFlowerFairy, you said OT, which is occupational therapist. That's different from Occupational Psychologist, which is the 75k job. I could be wrong, but I doubt many NHS OTs are earning that money.

SandyY2K · 12/07/2019 21:23

I find this thread really interesting. DD wants to study Psychology and at present wants to become a Clinical Psychologist.

She knows it's very competitive. She's done a lot of research into it.

I'd like to PM some of the clinical and Occupational Psychologists if possible with a few questions.

500BusStops · 12/07/2019 21:28

Senior management in higher education. It comes in helpful in dealing with some of the eccentric personalities!

TescoValueUserName · 12/07/2019 21:28

I'm 4 years into a part time psych degree so have 2 more years then hopefully 2 years post grad if I can get onto the course I want. The plan is to do a post grad in CBT then work privately as a therapist so that I can balance work and family life.

If I don't get onto that post grad I don't know what I'll do as i can't afford to.do it as a diploma.as I won't get a student loan for it.

I'm 39 so won't qualify till I'm 43, I saw it that I would still have about 25 years work ahead of me so it's worth it.

Even if you don't go into an actual psychology based career it's still a great degree to have for so many other careers too

flyingspaghettimonster · 12/07/2019 21:30

My mum did one before I was born. She never used it, though she did work in a psychiatric hospital for a while. When she returned to worki ng after rsiding us she was only able to get work as a carer.

EvilEdna1 · 12/07/2019 21:32

I am an antenatal teacher. It's the only job I have had which my social psychology degree has been any use for.

MeMeMeYou · 12/07/2019 21:37

I teach 5 year olds. Wanted to do Ed psychology butane. It changed to a 3 year course I couldn’t afford to do it.

MeMeMeYou · 12/07/2019 21:37

but when not butane!

Missmummy88 · 12/07/2019 21:39

Ux researcher

HermioneWeasley · 12/07/2019 21:41

HR

surlycurly · 12/07/2019 21:45

Another teacher here... I was going to be an Ed psych but realised how little contact I'd have with my client group and decided to stick with teaching.

PearlandRubies194 · 12/07/2019 21:45

I started my undergrad in Psychology when I was 30, homeless with two children (aged 10 and 2). I then did my MA in Criminology and am now doing my PhD. I also work with victims of domestic abuse.

My friends who were on the BSc with me are either in research based work in a hospital, school or lab so they can gain experience or are on their PhDs.

I wish I’d started earlier but I don’t think I’d appreciate it as much as I do now.

Can you get some volunteer work this summer in an area such as Victim Support or Women’s Aid? Or a lab at the Uni? It might help you find your passion