Skills you’ll develop
While studying Psychology, you’ll develop important skills related to behavioural disorders, developmental psychology, social psychology, learning, memory, cognition and perception, personality, motivation, thinking, language, mental health, and much more.
These skills may include:
- Applying theory to analyze and understand psychological phenomena
- Laboratory proficiency and research experience in the physical, cognitive, emotional, or social aspects of human behaviour
- Collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data within multiple areas of psychology, as well as maintenance of accurate records
- Using basic descriptive and inferential statistics to solve problems
- Designing and executing experiments with human participants, including ethical approval, data collection, basic statistical analysis, and presentation
- Evaluating a broad range of phenomenon and differentiate between pseudoscience and science
- Synthesizing peer-reviewed research literature in psychology to answer questions about behaviour
- Critical and creative thinking to gain insight into human motivation, personality, social processes, health behaviours, mental health, and others
Explore career possibilities
Career opportunities vary widely across a range of fields including healthcare, social work, counselling, government, non-profit, advertising, marketing, journalism, education, and others.
There are many career paths that can combine your academics, skills, and experience with your different interests. Read through the job titles below for ideas. Some career options may require further education or training.
Visit the National Occupational Classification website to research basic requirements and responsibilities of jobs in your field.
- Addictions counsellor
- Art therapist
- Behavioural consultant
- Child and youth worker
- Community worker
- Consumer advisor
- Corporate image consultant
- Counsellor
- Dating agency consultant
- Disability management specialist
- Employment counsellor
- Group home coordinator
- Hospice worker
- Immigration officer
- Job analyst
- Labour relations specialist
- Market research analyst
- Media relations officer
- Mental health program manager
- Mental health worker
- Organizational psychologist
- Patient care associate
- Personnel manager
- Police officer
- Psychiatrist
- Psychologist
- Psychology research assistant
- Public affairs officer
- Public health statistician
- Public opinion interviewer
- School counsellor
- Social policy analyst
- Social rehabilitation worker
- Social services worker
- Social worker
- Statistical officer
- Teacher/Professor
- Technical writer
- Therapist assistant
- Training and development consultant
- Transition management consultant
- Volunteer services director
Make the most of your program
Your experiences will open doors to new opportunities and help you understand your values and interests.
- UBC Psychology Students’ Association
Sign up for resume and CV workshops, meet your Psychology professors, and attend fun events. - UBC Chapter of Psi Chi
Check out events and award opportunities for psychology students with distinguished academics. - Departmental events
Network with Psychology students and faculty members at a variety of events. - Departmental research opportunities
Browse online volunteer postings or reach out directly to faculty members to ask about potential research positions. - UBC Psychology’s Human Subject Pool
Learn more about the process of psychological science and contribute to ongoing investigations into human nature. - Psychology Undergraduate Research Conference
Present your undergraduate research or simply attend this academic conference in Term 2. - Psychology co-op success stories
Learn about the experiences of past and present co-op students from your program and others. - Arts Co-op Program
Gain paid work experience in your area of study as part of your degree program. - UBC Undergraduate Journal of Psychology
Showcase your research by submitting papers to be published in a peer-reviewed journal. - Vancouver Coastal Health volunteer opportunities
Find volunteer opportunities in hospitals and health centres. - Fraser Health volunteer opportunities
Gain volunteer experience in local communities through healthcare opportunities. - Kids Help Phone
Volunteer to help young people across Canada access the support they need. - Psychology career paths
Read about job responsibilities for various types of counsellors, therapists, psychologists, and social workers in Canada. - BC regulated professions
Many professions related to psychology are regulated. If you want to practice in British Columbia, check with your regulatory body association to make sure you have the appropriate credentials.
Build your network
Employers often hire people they know, so help them get to know you. You can build your network through clubs, classes, informational interviews, and more. There are so many ways to make connections and find mentors.
The professional associations below are also great resources for meeting people, learning about specific industries, and accessing job and volunteer opportunities. Most have reduced membership rates for students and new grads.
- American Psychological Association
- Association for Psychological Science
- BC Association of Clinical Counsellors
- BC Psychological Association
- Canadian Association for Neuroscience
- Canadian Association for Play Therapy
- Canadian Council of Professional Psychology Programs
- Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association
- Canadian Mental Health Association
- Canadian Professional Counsellors Association
- Canadian Psychological Association
- Canadian Society for Brain, Behaviour and Cognitive Science
- Psychonomic Society
Connect with alumni on LinkedIn
Find UBC Psychology graduates on LinkedIn to learn about where they’re working, and their career and academic paths.
More information
From your Arts degree, you’ll develop skills and experiences that can translate into many career paths. Check out other things you can do with your Arts degree.