Seriously worried about next year ...

top_drawer_2

hi,

As the title says basically ....

Im in my 3rd year of a psychology degree and I am worried sick about what I am going to do once I finish. I came to uni because I was finding it impossible to land a decent job with progression so thought some FE would help with a view that I would have the motivation for it and something would happen to enable me to study further to become a full blown psychologist. In fact Ive found a career in psychology is just not for me, I just dont "fit in" somehow in the dept with my opinions/arguements (I like working with people yes, using psychology based stuff maybe but the faffing around/pc-ness kills it for me).

I am sick of studying so dont really want to go on and do a MSc, although may in the future if I can find something I enjoy (No way I'm doing it for the sake of it!!) although I must admit I enjoy other aspects of being a student (flexibility to work when you like, social parts etc) but from what I am hearing/seeing is that unless I can get yet more professional quals then I'm stuck and will quite likely end up in a job in a office/shop (thats if I can get anything at all). Prospects/careers service have suggested more education!! even though I specifically said this was not what I wanted - complete waste of time :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

I have been unemployed before and found it the most depressing demoralising position to be in but then working f/t in a position with no progression for peanuts also got me down and I felt like my life was worthless and couldn't see a way out.

I quite fancy applying for a student lasison position at the university but I guess that will have loads of applications and I dont know whether they will let me as I am going to have deferral exams. On one hand getting out completely might be best for me, on the other a jobs a job ..... even a pointless made-up one :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

Thanks - I feel better for just saying it

Jen

Lokolo

I am an ambassador, my boss, her boss both graduated from the Uni I am at because they enjoyed being at the university and wanted to continue staying here even if it wasn't a 'part time thing'. One of the guys who is an ambassador wants to apply for position in student recruitment place as well, so he can do the same as them.

Go for it to be honest.

Oldernotwiser

You really should be applying for positions now, rather than just thinking about it. Have you discussed things with your Careers Service?

melancholly

to be honest, even if you did want a career in psychology you'd need further qualifications - an undergrad degree won't get you a very good job as there is just an oversupply of graduates for the jobs (although i work in psychology and can't see much PC behaviour - but that could just be where i am!). there is also a world of difference between the jobs of say, a clinical, educational and academic psychologist, so be sure you know what you do/don't like. the bps website has a lot of useful information about what different paths you could choose within the field.

i second the advice of going to a careers advisor - make use of their help as it's a largely wasted resource. i'd also do this sooner rather than later

robpw2

stand for your student union elections become a sabbatical and get paid to act like a student lol

elsien

What about the sort of job that wants a degree, but doesn't much care what it is....civil service, MI5, teaching, the world's your lobster!
Or if you like working with people, how about a psychology assistant position while you work out whether you like it enough to do further training.
Find your strengths and take it from there. I did a psychology degree and came out of clueless. I couldn't get into clinical, so I took a temporary job as a support worker with people with learning disabilities.
Found it suited me down to the ground, I am now a manager and there are opportunities further up the line if I wanted. (I don't, because I couldn't sit in an office all day) I'm never going to earn lots, but it pays the mortgage and I'm happy.
Just don't leave it too long -the milk round isn't as effective a couple of years after you graduate!

Oldernotwiser

elsien wrote: »

What about the sort of job that wants a degree, but doesn't much care what it is....civil service, MI5, teaching, the world's your lobster!

The subject of your degree is very important for teaching and Psychology is a notoriously difficult degree to teach with!

elsien

Not if you teach the younger age groups, surely? My friend did a PGCE, and didn't use it for teaching psychology.
Although it is still further study, which the OP doesn't want.

Oldernotwiser

elsien wrote: »

Not if you teach the younger age groups, surely? My friend did a PGCE, and didn't use it for teaching psychology.
Although it is still further study, which the OP doesn't want.

You can sometimes teach primary on the basis of there being lots of maths in a psychology degree. However, normally you need a degree with at least 50% content from a national curriculum subject.

Voyager2002

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

You can sometimes teach primary on the basis of there being lots of maths in a psychology degree. However, normally you need a degree with at least 50% content from a national curriculum subject.

Agreed.

Another minor point is that there is now an over-supply of primary teachers, many of whom cannot find jobs. And qualifying as a teacher involves another year of study, and the OP has said he wants to get out of education.

That still leaves MI5. The OP's interest in people and knowledge of Psychology might be a good preparation to become an interrogator...

Sol00

top_drawer wrote: »

hi,

As the title says basically ....

Im in my 3rd year of a psychology degree and I am worried sick about what I am going to do once I finish. I came to uni because I was finding it impossible to land a decent job with progression so thought some FE would help with a view that I would have the motivation for it and something would happen to enable me to study further to become a full blown psychologist. In fact Ive found a career in psychology is just not for me, I just dont "fit in" somehow in the dept with my opinions/arguements (I like working with people yes, using psychology based stuff maybe but the faffing around/pc-ness kills it for me).

I am sick of studying so dont really want to go on and do a MSc, although may in the future if I can find something I enjoy (No way I'm doing it for the sake of it!!) although I must admit I enjoy other aspects of being a student (flexibility to work when you like, social parts etc) but from what I am hearing/seeing is that unless I can get yet more professional quals then I'm stuck and will quite likely end up in a job in a office/shop (thats if I can get anything at all). Prospects/careers service have suggested more education!! even though I specifically said this was not what I wanted - complete waste of time :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

I have been unemployed before and found it the most depressing demoralising position to be in but then working f/t in a position with no progression for peanuts also got me down and I felt like my life was worthless and couldn't see a way out.

I quite fancy applying for a student lasison position at the university but I guess that will have loads of applications and I dont know whether they will let me as I am going to have deferral exams. On one hand getting out completely might be best for me, on the other a jobs a job ..... even a pointless made-up one :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

Thanks - I feel better for just saying it

Jen

Hi,

Try not to think about what you don't want to do and instead, think about what you might want to do in the future. Having a degree in Psychology doesn't mean you have to get a job in that field. My friend has a degree in politics but is now in a marketing job!

And although you might be sick of studying at the moment, in a few years you may wish to go back to uni and do a post-grad in something else, so it's not all bad. :j