Careers
Discover Career Opportunities
Sample Career Options
What can you do with a degree in Psychology? A lot! Psychology majors often find employment in government agencies, not-for-profit organizations and a number of other areas in the private sector and government.
Note: Additional training and education may be required.
- academic advisor
- child/youth worker
- clinical psychologist
- community agency director
- community worker/advocate
- customs officer
- disability services worker
- event planner
- fundraiser
- forensic psychologist
- human resources
- labour relations/mediator
- lawyer/paralegal
- market research analyst
- marriage and family therapist
- mental health worker
- occupational therapist
- probation officer
- program coordinator/manager
- psychologist
- public policy analyst
- public relations
- recreation therapist
- seniors program coordinator
- social policy researcher
- social/crisis worker
- student life coordinator
- teacher/adult educator
- victim services officer
- volunteer coordinator
Sample Industries / Types of Employers
- counselling agencies
- educational institutions
- Department of Justice Canada
- government
- hospitality industry
- human resources departments
- management consulting firms
- marketing/PR firms
- non-profit organizations
- research organizations
- social service agencies
- training/development firms
Career Resources
- Canadian Psychological Association
- Ontario Psychological Assocation
- American Psychological Association
- Association for Psychological Science
- Canadian Mental Health Association
- Canadian Council on Social Development
- Canadian Research Institute for Social Policy
- College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario
Check out more resources available in the Career Centre and through Navigator.
Laurier Grads are Successful
Laurier Graduate Survey Results (2019)
Respondents from the Laurier Graduate Survey conducted by Career Centre. Graduates were surveyed within 12 months of graduation.
21 Psychology Graduates:
- Employed: 30.8%
- Looking for Work: 69.2%
Sample Jobs within the First Year After Graduation
- autism instructor therapist
- event coordinator
- probation officer
- social worker
- youth worker
Sample Further Education Programs within the First Year After Graduation
- Master’s degree: Forensic Psychology, Education, Social Justice and Community Engagement, Social Work, Counselling Psychology.
- College program: Concurrent Disorders, Mental Health and Disability Management, Paralegal, Social Service Worker.
Careers of Alumni Two-Five Years After Graduation
- behaviour therapist
- case manager
- child and youth counsellor
- human resources business partner
- paralegal
- psychotherapist
Develop Your Knowledge and Skills
At Laurier, develop these competencies through both curricular and co-curricular opportunities to help you achieve your goals for the future..
Functional Knowledge
- Identify, interpret, understand and communicate key social, ethical and personal issues relevant to individuals, groups and society.
- Use scientific methods to assess, evaluate, understand and interpret individual and group behaviour.
- Relate psychological knowledge to personal, professional and societal concerns.
- Demonstrate knowledge of methodologies of data collection, statistical analysis and evaluation.
- Learn and model the ethical standards and social responsibilities assumed by psychologists in their professional and scientific roles.
- Develop strong critical thinking skills and an understanding of contemporary challenges, issues and trends.
- Discover how information is sourced, valued and used in creating new knowledge.
Collaboration & Teamwork
- Develop the ability to organize and lead groups by identifying your role and contributing, leading, teaching, motivating and/or encouraging others for team success to facilitate change and understanding.
- Oversee, lead and/or contribute to a project including determining goals, planning details, making decisions and completing tasks.
- Demonstrate professional behaviour and an understanding of individual perspectives and diversity.
Communication
- Research, analyze, synthesize and clearly communicate findings in oral and written formats.
- Probe for information by asking questions and listening, and engage in constructive conversations.
- Prepare interesting and informative reports and presentations for diverse audiences using current technology.
Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
- Gather relevant information, anticipate needs and make appropriate recommendations.
- Assess events and beliefs and develop responses/strategies to manage situations.
- Critically evaluate and interpret theories and research and apply the results to solve problems.
- Set priorities, meet deadlines and manage time, data and resources.
- Make well-reasoned decisions, think creatively, identify and consider all sides of an issue.
- Analyze and evaluate data to discuss, support and/or question ideas, opinions, reports, theories and proposals.