Career Exploration

There are many career resources available to help psychology students!

Career Advising Appointments: There are three different campus offices that provide one-on-one career advising. Students should consider their career exploration status when scheduling appointments.

  • Undecided and current students who are in the beginning stages of career exploration and/or unsure about their desired major/career can make an appointment at the Career Exploration Center.
  • Current students and recent graduates (within the last two years) who have ideas of their desired career paths and want support with resumes, cover letters, job and internship searches, gap year information, interviewing etc. should make an appointment with SuccessWorks (Career Community Advising is encouraged).
  • Current students who are seeking psychology-specific support should make an appointment with the Psychology Career Advisor, Stephanie Scholze.

Internship/Job Search Resources: While there are a variety of job search engines, students are encouraged to start with the following resources that have been curated specifically for UW-Madison students and psychology majors respectively.

  • Handshake is UW-Madison’s primary recruitment and career event management tool.
  • The Internship/Job Board for Psych Majors is a pilot resource created specifically for students currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in psychology.

Resume Support: Students are encouraged to have their resume(s) reviewed by multiple people. There are two different offices on campus that offer appointments for resume review. 

  • SuccessWorks Resume Support includes a course for students that are in very early stages of resume development as well as options for students to receive feedback. 
  • The Writing Center provides students support at any stage of the writing process.

Alumni Connections: Students are highly encouraged to build their professional network by connecting with psychology alumni. Alumni connections create opportunities for students to learn about others’ professional paths, current career trends, internship/job opportunities, and so much more.

  • Career Conversations Canvas provides an overview of networking information and a list of L&S alumni who are ready to help!
  • Badger Bridge is an online networking resource for current UW-Madison students and alumni. Find and connect with alumni working in your field of interest.
  • LinkedIn allows students to connect with professionals.

Career-Related Courses: There are three courses available to L&S students related to careers and internships.

Looking for more information about Psychology careers, graduate school, and gaining experience?  UW-Madison Psychology students can access additional resources in the Psychology Advising Canvas site.

What you can do with your PSYCHOLOGY major

Students who major in Psychology enter a wide variety of careers, both with and without education beyond a Bachelor’s degree. The American Psychological Association (APA) with the Center for Workforce Studies (CWS) has recent statistics on What do you do with a Psychology degree?  CWS Data Tool: Careers in Psychology.

Through its strong interdisciplinary connections with the natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, and medical sciences, Psychology is positioned well to influence critical issues for society. The unique skills and competencies you develop from your psychology major will offer endless opportunities after graduation. In addition to the foundational set of skills and competencies gained from a liberal arts degree, the following are unique skills and competencies that are acquired from the psychology major:

  • Learn about multiple content areas of scientific psychology
  • Develop the ability to think critically and quantitatively
  • Enhance communication skills in the classroom and in writing
  • Understand research strategies and methods as they relate to the scientific study of psychology
  • Prepare for the most rigorous graduate and professional programs
  • Apply the science of psychology to the well-being of citizens of Wisconsin and the global community