Katrina Begrow '18
My favorite memory was my final presentation for my Advertising Capstone. My group gave a FLAWLESS presentation to our clients. I never felt more on top of my game than at that moment. I was so proud of myself and my group.
Psychology Career Guide
Explore Options: A Menu of Major-Specific Experiences and Sampling of Related Career Paths
Academic Resources
Explore Psychology academic resources designed to support your academic goals.
Feeling like you don't know what to do with all of this great information? We highly encourage to make an appointment with your academic advisor and career advisor. Another great starting point is the Self-Guided Career Exploration Tool.
Career Resources
Unlock career potential in Psychology! Discover resources to maximize your professional trajectory.
Psychology Jobs and Internships via Handshake
Menu of Experiences
Psychology Practicum Options
GVSU's Psychology Department offers two practicum opportunities for students.
Psy 490: Internship Credit
Psych Friends Peer Mentorship Practicum
Study Psychology Abroad
Through study abroad you’ll also set yourself apart from other job-seekers and graduate-school applicants in an increasingly competitive market.
Imagine yourself studying psychology in Vienna, Austria, the hometown of famous psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud, arguably one of the most influential contributors to the field itself. Explore the history and development of the field from a truly unique vantage point that will distinguish you from your classmates.
Join A Student Organization
Get involved with a student organization related to your major. Student orgs are a great way to get connected and explore career options!
Develop Skills by taking courses and earning certificates:
Developing relevant skills that employers seek is an essential component of a student's education. GVSU students should consider elective courses and certificates that pair with their major to gain additional skills.
- Research
- Understanding human behavior
- Academic writing
- Problem-solving
- Analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating information
- Interpersonal awareness
- Basic statistical analysis
- Understanding of psychological theories and the history of psychology
Community Service Opportunities
Seek volunteer opportunities related to the field you're exploring as a way of testing out future careers.
The Civic Engagement Center keeps a list of current volunteer opportunities updated on their website. There are ongoing opportunities on a continuous basis, as well as on-campus and off-campus opportunities posted as they become available.
Undergraduate Scholar Engagement
Pursuing academic, creative, and research experiences and projects outside the classroom is an excellent way to learn new skills and build a body of work in your field.
Getting Undergraduate Research Experience in Psychology
The Center for Undergraduate Scholar Engagement (CUSE) also provides opportunities for undergraduate research and scholarship.
Psychology Career Spotlights
Danielle Josephine DeWitt '05 & '09
The first memory that comes to mind is one that took place long after graduation. On November 15, 2019 I sat in the GVSU Fieldhouse Arena and watched the university officially welcome its first-ever female president, Philomena Mantella.
Marisa Simoni '15
Academic memory- Dr. Todd Williams and Dr. Christine Smiths research labs. Still a social psychologist at heart. Non academic memory- Mondays at Founders Brewery
William Van Lente '69
My favorite course was Social Psychology under Dr. James Lundy given it bridged my interest in psychology with organizational development. My most fun course was Field Techniques in Anthropology which was an actual physical anthropology excavation.
Where Alumni Have Landed
- Family Service Worker – Head Start for Kent County
- CLS Mentor – Indian Trails Camp
- Project Coordinator – nexVortex
- Youth Supports Coordinator – Muskegon Community Mental Health
- Mental Health Worker – Forest View Hospital
- Human Resources Assistant – Deer Valley Ski Resort
- Medical Sales Assistant – Paragon 28
- Direct Line Therapist – Building Bridges
- Service Specialist – State Farm Insurance
- Senior Associate of Community Investment – United Way
- Clinical Program Manager – Hope Network
- Volunteer Coordinator – Americorps
- Financial Counselor – United Way
- People Services Generalist – National Heritage Academies
- Consumer Relations – Wolverine Worldwide
- Crisis Aide – Every Woman’s Place
- Employment Specialist – Goodwill Industries
- Foster Home Developer – Orchards Children’s Services
- Child Welfare Worker – State of Michigan
- MedNow Specialist – Spectrum Health
Attend Events
Career Community- Human & Public Service
Employer Showcase: City of Grand Rapids
March 12, 2025 9:30 AM - 2:00 PM
Stop by the Au Sable Hall First Floor Lobby anytime between 9:30am and 2pm to meet representatives from City of Grand Rapids! Want to learn about exciting career opportunities and meet...
Criminal Justice Internship Information Session
March 12, 2025 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Are you a CJ major or minor interested in an internship? Join us for a special informational meeting and FREE lunch! • Learn the benefits of interning and details about the credits and course! •...
Employer Showcase: Michigan Education Corps
March 19, 2025 9:30 AM - 2:00 PM
Stop by the Au Sable Hall First Floor anytime between 9:30am and 2pm to meet representatives from the Michigan Education Corps! Students can stop by for a casual conversation with...
JCPenney Suit Up - Winter 2025
March 23, 2025 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
All Grand Valley students and alumni are invited to attend a GVSU/JCPenney Suit-Up Event! This event will include options to participate virtually or in-person. In-person: Come to JCPenney at RiverTown...
2025 HTM Networking Extravaganza!
March 24, 2025 11:30 AM - 3:30 PM
Stop by before, after, or even during classes from 11:30am-3:30pm on Monday, March 24, 2025 in the Hager-Lubbers Exhibition Hall (105E DeVos Center) to chat to local managers from a variety of hospitality...
Consider joining the Human and Public Service Career Community or any other Career Community you are interested in!
Beyond Undergraduate: Graduate or Professional Programs
Undergraduate Psychology majors are able to pursue a variety of graduate degrees. Below are a few examples:
- Master of Social Work
- Master in Counseling
- Master/Ph.D. in Psychology
- Psy.D. in Psychology
- Occupational Therapy
- Law School
Discover More
Join a Career Community
Watch Videos to Hear from Alumni Working in the Field
Check out our podcast!
Career Center Resources
Looking for other career resources? The Career Center Resources page contains resources related to careers, resumes, internships, job search, interviewing, networking, and more.