Psychology is a fascinating and inspiring subject to study. If you’re captivated by the inner workings of the human mind, then this could be an ideal and fulfilling career path to embark on. Students can expect to develop a wide range of valuable interpersonal skills useful in various workplaces.
Did you know the University of Essex Online offers a gold standard British Psychological Society-approved BSc (Hons) Psychology course, providing students with core scientific and theoretical underpinnings? In this blog post, we’ll share seven key reasons to study psychology.
Deepen your psychology knowledge
The most obvious reason to study psychology is the subject-specific knowledge you’ll develop and the insight you’ll gain into the mind, brain and human behaviour. Our BPS-accredited BSc (Hons) Psychology covers a broad range of topics – from the principles of psycho-and pharmacotherapeutics in the treatment of mental health, to the role of memory as the mediator of cognitive processes.
You’ll learn about fascinating scientific theories while driving a deeper understanding of psychology and delving into more specialised areas.
Understand your behaviour
As you progress in your career and perhaps move into a management or senior role, you’ll often be expected to make difficult decisions and work in high-pressure environments. The way you react in these situations is key to a successful career.
Understanding your own personality can give you a unique perspective on a workplace project or role. Using your knowledge of psychology and behaviour, you’ll be able to recognise and acknowledge the underlying reasons and theories of these traits – allowing you to work confidently across different environments.
Develop long-term leadership skills
Considering a career in people management and human resources? As well as being adept in conflict management, collaboration and leadership, the skills gained from a psychology degree are also perfect for these areas. An employee who can manage a team effectively, while also building better workplace relationships, is often highly valued. A psychology degree fosters knowledge and empathy, helping you to build on your people management abilities and thrive in these kinds of roles.
Elevate your communication skills
Effective communication with others is a key skill across most industries. This ability is developed and improved by every psychology student, often without even realising it.
An important part of producing content at a higher education level is the ability to structure an argument, to discuss a topic clearly and objectively, and to reference relevant sources. This method of communicating can then be transferred from the classroom directly to the workplace.
Fine-tune your psychology research skills
The ability to research a topic or issue is often overlooked as a workplace skill, but it is a valuable tool for both managers and employees. Through assignments and projects, a psychology degree will help you to develop your ability to find sources, evaluate their effectiveness and present your findings clearly and accurately.
Whatever role or industry you choose to pursue after your psychology degree, this skill will allow you to review tenders, investigate potential projects and much more.
Think like a psychologist!
A good employee evaluates figures, concepts and proposals to ensure they’re making the best possible decision. Critical thinking is a major part of a psychology certificate or degree programme, as students must consider each source and theory they reference or use.
By developing this skill early on in your degree with the support of your tutor and classmates, you can help to avoid costly mistakes in your future career.
Accelerate your career
A psychology degree is a hugely versatile qualification that will prepare you for a wide range of careers in counselling, the civil service, marketing, research, healthcare, education, business and many more sectors.
Those hoping to use this qualification to develop their career will also gain several transferable skills including communication, numeracy, problem-solving and planning.
Earning a degree in psychology can open the door to a host of fascinating careers, allowing you to make a positive impact on communities and society.
Ready to kick-start your psychology career? Download our prospectus today.