Psychology Graduate with No Clue.

confusedgraduate

Hoping someone can enlighten me and throw some ideas my way as I am currently drowning.

I have completed my 2:1 Honours degree in Psychology, I live in Scotland (will be moving to Fareham this year) and have no idea what to do with my life.
When I began my degree I, like a lot of my friends, had no idea that further education would be required in order to actually get a job in Psychology. I applied for my PhD in Counselling psychology and was knocked back a few weeks ago and now have been laid off from my job which was never by any means permanent anyway.
Now I'm sitting here, unemployed, with a degree I don't think I can even use. It's sending me off the rails a bit as I don't have any psychology related experience as I have always worked in customer service and never had the time to find any being a full-time carer for my mum who is a stroke victim.

So here I am an unemployed carer with a 2:1 Honours degree in Psychology, moving to a new country in a few weeks with no positive outlook and absolutely no idea of what I can or want to do.

Anyone got any advice? Much appreciated

Holly.

jobbingmusician

Training as an IAPT PWP? (CBT is not as popular as it was, but these practitioners seem always to be in demand.) Contacting the National Careers Service?

mariposa687

Have you heard of Skills Development Scotland? I've been to their drop in centre a few times for long term career advice and general application advice. They are really helpful and it's free.

I've been in your position, graduate with a languages degree which isn't so useful without a Masters so I know how you feel! I'm doing something completely different now years on. It does get better!

gettingtheresometime

Let's start from basics when you chose your degree how did you envisage you'd use it once graduated?

TELLIT01

For many companies the specific degree is of less importance that the fact of having a degree. Attaining that implies a level of ability, although I would question that premise in a number of university graduates I've worked with.

DigForVictory

jobbingmusician wrote: »

Contacting the National Careers Service

^^ This. They can trot you through a few (more!) psychometric tests & see what they suggest as possible career paths so you can mentally try them on for size. (Tiring but better to have a clue even if you change tack later.)
In the very short term, any work as a volunteer will demonstrate teamwork, possibly cash handling, customer facing yadda - and get you out of the house.
Very best of luck!

Loanranger

Contact your university's careers service. That is what they are there for. They will help you. You can also contact the local university in the area you are moving to.
Do these two things without delay.
Many university careers services will have vacancies reserved for their own grads behind a password protected firewall so get in touch as above.
Use the website prospects.ac.uk as well.

confusedgraduate

Thank you all, I feel a bit better just to know I have some options, it's oddly comforting to know that others have been in the same rut.

I hadn't heard of Skills Development Scotland, I will give them a try. Looking back over the years I feel as though I would have benefited more from going to college and learning a trade but initially I had wanted to help people deal with illnesses such as Cancer and HIV. Counselling psychology was my main aim but as I was knocked back for the PhD I know I'll never go back to university as I'm ready to get on with my life and I just don't want to be a student anymore, it's sickening.

I know it's good to see someone applying for a job when they have a degree however, I don't even seem to have the experience to get into a decent job. Thanks for all your support and I have a meeting with my university career's adviser booked in for next week.

DigForVictory

You've done the degree - now the fun bit - mapping it onto "real life".
Very best of luck!

Loanranger

On the prospects website that I mentioned you can read a booklet entitled What Can I do with my Degree in Psychology. The more preparation you do prior to seeing the careers adviser the more use the interview will be.

dawyldthing

I worked with someone from Australia at a summer camp 10 years ago. She was a couple of years older than me and had done a degree in business something if I remember. Anyway fast forward 10 years we caught up last year and she's now done a degree and masters in psychology and is working as a psychologist. Another friend did a degree in psychology and has been trying for years to get onto mental health nursing degree - she is starting it in September. A lot have left and are doing everyday jobs - myself included - it just depends what you want to do. Don't forget we'll be working in our 70s and I recogn we'll all change career a few times inbetween.