When I found out I had been chosen to be a recitation leader for psych 101, I was pumped. I walked into class the first day with the goal of evangelically turning these 50 unsuspecting students into psychology majors. But now that the semester is wrapping up, I realize we were so busy talking about awesome psych stuff, I never got to highlight the positives (and downplay the negatives) of the major itself.
1) You get to excite people:
Strike up a conversation with anyone. After a minute or two, the question always comes up, “What’s your major?” When you say psychology, his or her eyebrows are bound to reach mid-forehead, if not hairline levels. This reaction may result from the realization that his or her deepest, darkest secrets have been analyzed during this 90-second discussion, but usually it occurs from feelings of genuine excitement to meet someone studying something so fascinating.
2) You get to help people – now and later:
I don’t have my bachelor’s yet, but when people learn I’m a psych major, they make me put them on “the list.” This is a roster – created by the first person to learn you’re a psych major – existing in your brain of all the people you will counsel when you’re a legit psychologist after a bazillion years of graduate school. If that sounds like a long time, know that even in my undercooked state of psychological education, people still ask me for advice and utilize my secret-keeping skills. And honestly, helping people feels great.
3) You get mysterious:
There are various perspectives in psychology (mini psych lesson: psychoanalytic, behavioral, biological, cognitive, humanistic, and evolutionary). The answers to seemingly simple questions (e.g. Why am I procrastinating during finals week?) vary greatly depending on which perspective a psychologist prescribes to. To psych majors – who learn to consider every angle – everything “depends.” Our inability to give a “yes/no” answer makes everyone wonder what’s going on in our brooding minds. When we’re sitting quietly, not thinking about anything in particular, everyone wonders if they’re in an experiment; we keep everyone wondering no matter what we’re doing. Being a psych major gives you instant mysterious cred.
If you’re still not convinced psych is right for you, consider what is clearly my most valid argument:
Jon Stewart, Natalie Portman, Jerry Bruckheimer, Wes Craven, and Katherine Hepburn majored in psychology.
Enough said. You know what to do.
You can read more from Kristen Coconis on her blog or follow her on Twitter.
feature image via.
I agree that psychology is fascinating, but I hope you also make your students aware that with a BS in Psychology, it might be extremely difficult to find work after school. Unless you’re realllllly dedicated to the subject and, given you have enough money after your undergraduate loans, go on to get a Masters or PhD, there are almost no jobs available. Everyone I’m close to (including my dad and bro) who earned a BS in Psych who are now either unemployed or working in a totally unrelated field i.e. insurance, fast food, etc. I think it’s such a great subject and good counselors are definitely needed, but I would be wary about pushing the major on students who are in the class just because it’s interesting, instead of actually knowing where they want to go with the degree.
Hi there, Katie! Thanks for bringing up some valid points. I understand your concern. Let me reassure you that while I tried to peak my students’ interest in the subject of psychology by doing my job well, I did not push the major on them. I wrote this subjective little article for fun; as an outlet for my opinions on why the major is great. And I agree with you that it’s impossible (as far as I know) to get a job as a counselor with just a BS/BA, but I believe psychology relates to a great many professions that involve working with people. Of course, it’s necessary to know what you want out of any degree before pursuing it!
YESSSS. I cannot tell you how excited this article made me. I am a psych major and I’ve known since I did a project on Elisabeth Kubler-Ross in the 7th grade that I wanted to be a counselor. Private counselor, school counselor, anything and everything. All of your points are literally what I have been bragging about ever since I was able to declare my major. You rock. Psychology rocks. I don’t know if you are able to comment on your own post but: What is your favorite psychologist or even just your favorite theory or branch? (I’m interested in everyone else’s favorites too!)
Thanks, Jessie!! You rock! I’m really glad a fellow psych major likes it! Good luck with your goal of being a counselor. Do you know where you want to go to grad school? I really like social psychology because it helps me pick up on so much more in my daily social interactions and observations. It’s such an applicable psych! But I want to go to grad school for clinical. As for psychologist, I don’t know if I have a favorite, but I really like Maslow. I think about his hierarchy of needs and reaching self-actualization frequently. In general, I like the optimistic nature of the humanistic perspective. How about you?
During my first semester in undergrad school, I thought I wanted to major in nursing. After taking a Psych 101 class, my ideas changed. I loved the class so much. I’m currently working towards my BS in Psychology and plan on going to grad school to become a clinical psychologists. Yes its going to be a long and difficult journey, but its going to be so worth it in the end. If you have a goal, just go for it. Don’t let anyone change your mind. Don’t grow up looking back in regret wondering “what-if”? If your considering psychology as a major and a future career, do as much research possible, volunteer, and talk to people in the field. There are so many options and opportunities out there for those with a degree in psychology. Just a few tips that helped me figure out what I wanted to major in; don’t be afraid to ask questions, have an open mind, and listen to other people’s opinions, but your final choice has to be something you find a passion for. Good luck!
ALL OF THESE THINGS. I’m working on my masters in counseling right now, and I have a full client list, and promises to analyze people in the future! I was actually able to help a friend recently with communication issues – I didn’t counsel her, but I told her some basic rules of communication (“I” statements, etc) and lent her a couple of books. Just that little bit of helping made me feel so good. I start my internships next week – can’t wait!
I’m getting my bachelor’s in social work with a minor in psych so that I can actually work in the field directly after my bachelor’s. Most psychology majors with a bachelor degree don’t actually get to work in the field until they get their master’s. I’ll have lots of experience by the time I go back for my master’s in profession counseling.