Prior to Senior Year

Explore, Experience, and Expand your resume through coursework, on-campus and off-campus involvement, community service, research and internships. See undergraduate guide for more ideas.

Summer Going Into Senior Year

The first job out of undergraduate will likely NOT be your ultimate career. Look for positions that suit your educational and experiential credentials. There are many jobs for which there is no specific degree; instead, many undergraduate majors are well suited for these positions. Also, consider starting at a large or new company where there is the opportunity for vertical or horizontal movement.

Where to Look for a Job

TCNJ Career Center (located in Roscoe West Library, Room 102) Connect with Lions Link Websites Higheredjobs, Idealist, Monster, Careerbuilder, Yahoo Hot Jobs, Linkedin, Vault Referrals (people you know from work, school, family, community, etc) Join professional organizations (Examples: SHRM and SIOP) Attend Job Fairs - The Career Center at TCNJ sponsors 2 fairs each academic year; one in the Fall (October) and one in the Spring (Late February). Peruse newspaper/employment agencies Consider a service position immediately after college: Peace Corps, Teach for America, City Year,SCA, and National Park Service, and other Americorp Programs Consider a paid internship position immediately after college (helpful websites- NJIntern, Job Search,Internshipusa, Vault, Lionslink or log onto the Career Center's website

What to Look For

Common Types of Employment for Psychology Majors: Sales and Marketing, Business Administration and Management, Administrative Support, Social Work, Counselor, Personnel and Labor, Research, Computer Science. Specific Job Titles from past TCNJ Psychology Department Surveys: Teacher, Financial Advisor, Project Accountant, Pharmaceutical Meeting Planner, Batch Document Coordinator, Accounting Assistant, Human Resources Representative, Associate Editor, Youth Advisor, Project Coordinator, Staffing Coordinator, Admission Coordinator, Assistant Office Manager, Research Assistant, Case Manager, Marketing Coordinator, Claims Adjuster and Management Trainee

Specific Companies from the TCNJ Psychology Department Survey: Braun Research, Inc, Ennova MedChem Group, Inc, University Medical Center at Princeton, ADP, SILLC Management, East Coast Sign Advertising, Covenant House, M. Shanken, SCOR Reinsurance, Hess Corporation, GPSG, Advanced Health Media, Merrill Lynch, Joseph Jingoli & Son, Verizon Wireless, Carrier Clinic, Comcast, Sesame Place, NJ Law Enforcement Commission, NJ Manufacturers, ATT, The Arc of Monmouth and various school districts. First Year Salary: The starting salary depends on the type of industry entered but, for new hires with a bachelors degree in psychology, ranges anywhere between $23,000 and $35,000. TCNJ Psychology Department survey for the graduating class of 2006 confirms these findings reporting annual salaries ranging from $25,000 to $42,000. The average salary from the one year out survey administered to 2008 graduates by the Career Center was $38,000. Graduate/Professional Schools: Published literature estimates that 66% of Psychology majors eventually go on to Graduate or Professional Schools. TCNJ Psychology Department Annual Survey reports approximately 45% continue part time or full time education in the first year out. Demographics: Psychology major graduates are composed of 37% males and 63% females. Only 22.9% of psychology alumni chose employment directly related to their discipline. Research shows that 40% of psychology undergraduates are satisfied with their degrees, as well as the jobs they attain in a wide variety of settings.