Getting Started

What can I do with this major?

Learn about typical career areas for Psychology and Neuroscience Majors and types of employers that hire people with each major, as well as strategies to make you a more marketable candidate.

What if I don’t know what I want to do for a career? Where do I start?

It’s okay not to know what you want to do. Deciding on and seeking a career is a unique journey for each person. The important thing to do is to just get started with campus resources that can help you begin the exploration process.

Explore your interests, values, skills and personality—and find a career that is in alignment with these things. Make an appointment now!
Volunteering your time or doing an internship can help you identify your career interests. Check out the Volunteer Resource Center (VRC) in the UMC 458 to find volunteer opportunities in the Boulder community. Consider exploring PSYC 4931 internships for credit to gain hands-on practical experience.
On Handshake, youĚýcan look for entry-level jobs and internships in the Boulder/Denver area as well as other locations in the US.
Student Employment positions could include: Health Promotions, RA, Peer Career advisor, Student Assistant. This kind of work experience shows initiative, time management, and leadership—traits and skills employers are seeking.
Setting up informational interviews with professors, graduate TA's and working professionals can give you great insight into what career you might want to go into.

Questions you could ask could include:

  • How did they decide on their career?
  • What is their day-to-day experience like?
  • What do they like most / least about their career?
What skills do Psychology and Neuroscience students have to offer?

Students gain skills and experience in their courses, in their on-campus or off-campus jobs, and in their involvement on campus. Additionally, you have natural abilities that are unique to you. It’s important to be able to articulate your skills, knowledge, and experience so that employers know what you have to offer and how you can help them solve a problem.​

Read through your various class syllabi and review the learning outcomes for each class. This will help you come up with a list of skills you've gained in your coursework. Generally students gain:
  • breadth of knowledge in PSYC/NRSC
  • writing skills
  • oral presentation skills
  • critical thinking skills
  • analytical and problem solving skills (from labs) such as collecting information, design research, examine information, draw logical conclusions, and make recommendations
You are also learning skills in any work experience or involvement on campus that are relevant for the world of work
If you are unsure about your relevant skills, read through the job description for the position you are interested in and highlight key words of skills or experience they are seeking. Write a statement about the skill(s) you've developed and are working on, and be able to tell the employer how you used it, what you learned, and how this specific skill and experience will help the employer to solve a particular problem.

Being able to articulate your skills for a particular position and how you’ll utilize them in the role / organization, will help the interviewer to get to know you and how you will contribute to the organization. Additionally, it will make you stand out as a candidate.

Example: Critical Thinking

Definition: Uses logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

Write out your responses to these reflections:

  • How do I demonstrate this competency? Be able to cite an example from class, internship, or work.
  • Why this competency is important.
  • What I learned or how I grew from this experience.
  • How this prepared me or influenced my interest.
  • My plan for continuing to develop this competency.

Do the same for 4-5 competencies employers are seeking. Practice articulating them with a friend or academic/career advisor, until it feels natural and easier to do.

Check out YouScience

Career Services offers a free aptitude test, called YouScience, which helps you discover your aptitudes - natural abilities most important to career choice. It tells you how your mind is wired, what makes you tick, and the skills and knowledge that set you apart. Additionally, you learn what you have to offer an employer, and how you can communicate your skills and talents in an authentic way.

  • Sign up through Career Services Drop-insĚý
  • Once you take YouScience, you will receive your results directly
  • You can then meet with a career advisor or your academic advisor to discuss your results and possible next steps.

Get Connected

Learn about the variety of positions and organizations where Psyc and Nrsc alumni are working. Try searching: Where they live, where they work, what they do, and what they studied.Ěý

Grow your career and professional network by connecting with recent graduates and seasoned alumni. You’ll get insider access to job postings, networking opportunities, and more. Many alumni are also willing to serve as mentors and provide career assistance.