Career information for your major
Discipline overview
Psychology is the scientific study of the human mind and its functions, especially those affecting behaviour. Psychology is about understanding who we are and how we think, feel, act and change. This knowledge helps us improve wellbeing and psychological health.
There are a wide range of areas that psychology graduates can apply their behavioural expertise to improve human endeavours including in business, education, health, sport and more. The majority of students studying psychology will graduate with a 3-year undergraduate qualification and enter the workforce. Some will choose to continue studying at an honours and postgraduate level, which is a requirement for registration as a psychologist.
Key employability skills
Graduates can use their skills across a range of careers. It is vital for you to not only become more aware of the skills you will gain through your course and other experiences, and also to learn to effectively articulate these skills to prospective employers.
The following is a sample list of key skills adapted from the QAA UK subject benchmark statement for this discipline. The full skills list can be found at QAA UK.
- Understanding of multiple perspectives to psychological issues, recognising that psychology involves a range of research methods, theories, evidence and applications
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills to communicate with diverse audiences
- Numerical reasoning skills, including ability to analyse numerical data and information to aid decision making
- Research skills, critical thinking and logical reasoning ability
- Digital literacy with ability to utilise databases and analytic software packages
- Teamwork capability to work effectively both independently and with others
- Discretion while dealing with confidential information
- Problem solving capability
Related occupations
Whether you are considering a number of career possibilities, are starting to think deeply about your career future or have a clear career idea in mind, it’s useful to explore the range of career possibilities available.
Below is a list of jobs held by UOW graduates sourced from the 2018 and 2019 QILT Graduate Outcomes Survey (up to four months after graduation).
- Health Support Worker
- Graduate Project Officer
- Caseworker- Welfare
- Researcher
- Research Program Officer
- Research Assistant
- Education Liaison Officer
- Provisional Psychologist
- Student Learning Support Officer
- Disability Support Worker
- Human Resources Assistant
- Employment Services Consultant
- HR Graduate
The following list is of jobs held by UOW graduates sourced through the UOW Alumni Team or the LinkedIn Alumni Tool (up to four years after graduation). Note that some of these graduates have undertaken further study:
- Project Officer
- Behaviour Technician
- Provisional Psychologist
- Family Engagement Worker
- Caseworker
- Social Worker
- Student Support Officer
- School Counsellor
- Psychological Therapy Assistant
- Recruitment Consultant
- Youth Worker
- Human Resources Graduate
- Research Assistant
- Market Researcher
Employers
Explore the type of organisations you would like to work for by looking at some of the employers in your field.
Below is a list of employers of UOW graduates sourced from the 2018 and 2019 QILT Graduate Outcomes Survey (up to four months after graduation).
- Woolyungah Indigenous Center
- Lifeline Australia
- University of Wollongong
- Australian Taxation Office
- One Door Mental Health Mental
- Department of Justice
- CareSouth
- Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District
- University of New South Wales
- Wollongong Hospital
- Department of Education (NSW)
- School of Special Educational Needs: Medical and Mental Health
- Difference Health
- Premier Psychology
- Warrawong Public School
The following list of employers of UOW graduates sourced through the UOW Alumni Team or the LinkedIn Alumni Tool (up to four years after graduation).
- Healthy Cities Illawarra
- St Vincent’s Health Network Sydney
- Aspire Early Intervention
- Viriya Community Services
- Griffith Aboriginal Medical Service
- Dunlea Centre
- Department of Family and Community Services (NSW)
- Institute of Mental Health
- House with No Steps
- Department of Education
- Possibilities Psychological Services
Key industry job websites
Many industries have job websites dedicated to careers within their industry. These also often have links to other career resources. Also be aware that LinkedIn Jobs is increasingly used by employers to target graduates.
Formal graduate programs
Make sure you consider the fast tracked career pathway programs which are offered by some large corporate organisations and government agencies. Here are some of the organisations that take graduates of this discipline.
- NAB
- Westpac
- Australian Public Service (APS)
- NSW Public Service Commission
- Department of Defence
- Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS)
- Telstra
- EY
Details of relevant graduate recruitment programs can be found on websites such as GradConnection.
Career research and networks
When researching possible careers, obtaining relevant information from a range of sources helps inform your career decisions.
Labour Market Information Portal – Australian government website with salaries, industry growth and required skills for a wide range of jobs
Your career – Australian government website with a range of careers information
UK Prospects – a UK based career exploration site
Build your career network and stay up to date with the latest developments in your industry by joining a professional association.
- Australian Psychological Society (APS)
- Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC)
- Australian Counselling Association (ACA)
- Australian Clinical Psychology Association (ACPA)
- Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors (AIPC)
Postgraduate study and research
Some career paths require postgraduate study. The 2019 Graduate Outcomes Report identified that 18.9% of undergraduates Australia wide were engaged in postgraduate study four months after graduation.
You can specialise through academic coursework or pursue further research studies. Explore UOW's postgraduate coursework degrees and Higher Degrees by Research or postgraduate courses from other institutions for specific careers of interest.
Some examples of postgraduate study options relevant to those with an undergraduate psychology degree are:
- Postgraduate Psychology Courses- Note: completion of four years of study in Psychology (inclusive of 4th year honours) is required for entry into post graduate psychology programs and eligibility for registration as a psychologist in Australia
- Masters of Social Work (Qualifying)
- Graduate Certificate in Human Resource Management
- Accredited Counselling Training (ACA)
Developing industry experience
Graduate employers increasingly value industry experience as an addition to formal qualifications to demonstrate your employability skills. This work related experience can be obtained through university internship subjects, co-curricular activities, student exchange or volunteering.
UOW work experience subjects – Formal work integrated learning subjects available at UOW across all disciplines.
GradConnection- Industry internships/ vacation programs
The Forage- Virtual industry internships
UOWx – A range of co-curricular activities available for UOW students
Course information
The relevant undergraduate degree options available at UOW for this discipline are listed below. You may also wish to explore available courses more broadly to see if you might be interested in pursuing a double major or a double degree.