Psychology Career Guide

Explore Options: A Menu of Major-Specific Experiences and Sampling of Related Career Paths

Academic Resources

Explore Psychology academic resources designed to support your academic goals.

Curriculum Guide

Psychology Department

CLAS Advising Department

What Can I Do With This Major?

artwork of heads displayed on a wall

Feeling like you don't know what to do with all of this great information? We highly encourage to make an appointment with your academic advisor and career advisor. Another great starting point is the Self-Guided Career Exploration Tool.

Career Resources

Unlock career potential in Psychology! Discover resources to maximize your professional trajectory.

Career Assessment - PathwayU

Psychology Jobs and Internships via Handshake

Employment Options for Psychology Majors

Career Communities


Menu of Experiences

Psychology Practicum Options

GVSU's Psychology Department offers two practicum opportunities for students.

Psychology Practicum

Psych Friends Practicum

Psy 490: Internship Credit

Psych Friends Peer Mentorship Practicum

Study Psychology Abroad

Through study abroad you’ll also set yourself apart from other job-seekers and graduate-school applicants in an increasingly competitive market.

Imagine yourself studying psychology in Vienna, Austria, the hometown of famous psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud, arguably one of the most influential contributors to the field itself.  Explore the history and development of the field from a truly unique vantage point that will distinguish you from your classmates.

Psychology Study Abroad

Explore Internships Abroad

Join A Student Organization

Get involved with a student organization related to your major. Student orgs are a great way to get connected and explore career options!

Student Organizations

Develop Skills by taking courses and earning certificates:

Developing relevant skills that employers seek is an essential component of a student's education. GVSU students should consider elective courses and certificates that pair with their major to gain additional skills.

  • Research
  • Understanding human behavior
  • Academic writing
  • Problem-solving
  • Analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating information
  • Interpersonal awareness
  • Basic statistical analysis
  • Understanding of psychological theories and the history of psychology

Electives to Consider

Community Service Opportunities

Seek volunteer opportunities related to the field you're exploring as a way of testing out future careers.

The Civic Engagement Center keeps a list of current volunteer opportunities updated on their website. There are ongoing opportunities on a continuous basis, as well as on-campus and off-campus opportunities posted as they become available.

Civic Engagement Center

Undergraduate Scholar Engagement

Pursuing academic, creative, and research experiences and projects outside the classroom is an excellent way to learn new skills and build a body of work in your field.

Getting Undergraduate Research Experience in Psychology

The Center for Undergraduate Scholar Engagement (CUSE) also provides opportunities for undergraduate research and scholarship.

Center for Undergraduate Scholar Engagement (CUSE)


Psychology Career Spotlights

Gregory Hyde 1982 Spotlight

Gregory Hyde 1982

Being on the first Grand Valley Cross-Country team to compete at the Nationals.

Pamela Besteman '96 Spotlight

Pamela Besteman '96

During a winter practice for the Rowing Team, our coach had us play soccer on the Ski Hill. We had so much fun running up and down the hill, chasing the ball, tackling each other, and laughing our heads off while trying to beat our teammates.

Miranda Grunwell 2006 Spotlight

Miranda Grunwell 2006

One of my favorite parts of my time at Grand Valley was all the amazing people I met while living on campus. Some of my best memories come from the fun we had outside of class whether we were playing board games in the lobby, exploring campus events to le

Alexis Gerard '19 Spotlight

Alexis Gerard '19

I loved being involved in dance troupe while in undergrad. Being able to choreograph and lead such a wonderful organization helped me build close friendships and is where I found my place at GV.

View More Psychology

Where Alumni Have Landed

  • Family Service Worker – Head Start for Kent County
  • CLS Mentor – Indian Trails Camp
  • Project Coordinator – nexVortex
  • Youth Supports Coordinator – Muskegon Community Mental Health
  • Mental Health Worker – Forest View Hospital
  • Human Resources Assistant – Deer Valley Ski Resort
  • Medical Sales Assistant – Paragon 28
  • Direct Line Therapist – Building Bridges
  • Service Specialist – State Farm Insurance
  • Senior Associate of Community Investment – United Way
  • Clinical Program Manager – Hope Network
  • Volunteer Coordinator – Americorps
  • Financial Counselor – United Way
  • People Services Generalist – National Heritage Academies
  • Consumer Relations – Wolverine Worldwide
  • Crisis Aide – Every Woman’s Place
  • Employment Specialist – Goodwill Industries
  • Foster Home Developer – Orchards Children’s Services
  • Child Welfare Worker – State of Michigan
  • MedNow Specialist – Spectrum Health

Attend Events

Career Community- Education, Nonprofit & Public Service

Employer of the Day: IKUS Life Enrichment Services

February 25, 2026 9:30 AM - 2:00 PM

Stop by Au Sable Hall First Floor anytime between 9:30am and 2pm to meet representatives from IKUS Life Enrichment Services! Want to learn about exciting career opportunities and meet...

Employer of the Day: Sherman Lake YMCA Outdoor Center

March 4, 2026 9:30 AM - 2:00 PM

Stop by the Au Sable Hall First Floor anytime between 9:30am and 2pm to meet representatives from the Sherman Lake YMCA Outdoor Center! Each semester, we bring top companies right...

Employer of the Day: MomsBloom

March 18, 2026 9:30 AM - 2:00 PM

Stop by the Au Sable Hall First Floor anytime between 9:30am and 2pm to meet representatives from the MomsBloom! Each semester, we bring top companies right to you on campus!...

Employer of the Day: Healthwest - Muskegon County Community Mental Health

March 25, 2026 9:30 AM - 2:00 PM

Stop by the Au Sable Hall First Floor Lobby anytime between 9:30am and 2pm to meet representatives from Healthwest! Want to learn about exciting career opportunities and meet potential...

2026 GVSU Health Professional Graduate School Fair

March 25, 2026 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM

Interested in exploring educational opportunities beyond your bachelor’s degree? Thinking of attending graduate or professional school for healthcare? Save the date for the Health Professional...

View More Career Community- Education, Nonprofit & Public Service

Consider joining the Education, Nonprofit, & Public Service Career Community or any other Career Community you are interested in!


Beyond Undergraduate: Graduate or Professional Programs

Undergraduate Psychology majors are able to pursue a variety of graduate degrees. Below are a few examples:

  • Master of Social Work
  • Master in Counseling
  • Master/Ph.D. in Psychology
  • Psy.D. in Psychology
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Law School

Discover More

Join a Career Community

Watch Videos to Hear from Alumni Working in the Field

Check out our podcast!

Career Center Resources

Looking for other career resources? The Career Center Resources page contains resources related to careers, resumes, internships, job search, interviewing, networking, and more.  



Page last modified August 28, 2025