Whether it’s pursuing advanced education or landing a job, how can students leverage their psychology degree to achieve their professional goals? Ideal for course use, this practical, evidence-based text combines current data on psychology careers and the labor market with guidance for effective decision making. Drawing on decades of teaching and mentoring experience, Jennifer Zwolinski addresses students' frequently asked questions and provides a framework for exploring possible career paths. Clearly organized and reader friendly, the book is packed with reflective activities, templates, and career planning exercises. The companion website features more than 30 downloadable reproducible tools.

Pedagogical Features

Learning outcomes at the beginning of each chapter.
Chapter titles and sections written as questions to help readers quickly find the answers they need.
Workbook-style activities and engaging figures and tables.
Templates to use in building a work and/or graduate school portfolio.
End-of-chapter annotated resource lists.

“Myriad psychology students wonder: Is a psychology major right for me? Might it lead to a rewarding career? If so, how do I get there? Happily, psychology master teacher Jennifer Zwolinski, drawing from her career spent exploring these questions, is a sage on the page. With her warm, mentoring spirit, she offers pertinent information, debunks myths, and presents activities and questions that assist each reader in personalizing their own answers. Whether for a course on psychology careers or for individual career planning, The Psychology Career Playbook is a much-needed and brilliantly executed guide.”

—David G. Myers, PhD, Department of Psychology, Hope College

“Zwolinski has distilled her long experience helping undergraduates to imagine careers in psychology into this comprehensive resource. This book not only provides information about a wide range of work and graduate education possibilities, but also offers guidance for decision making. Through a series of thought-provoking questions and student-oriented activities, Zwolinski encourages students to consider how their values and interests mesh with different career paths.”

—Kenneth D. Keith, PhD, Department of Psychological Sciences (Emeritus), University of San Diego

Introduction

I. How Does a Psychology Degree Prepare You for a Range of Career Options?

1. What Skills Will You Learn with a Psychology Degree?

2. Who Studies Psychology and What Can They Do with Their Degrees?

3. What Are the Main Subfields of Psychology?

4. What Does the Future of Work Look Like with a Psychology Degree?: How Can Your Degree Support You Now and in Your Future Career?

II. How Do You Decide What Career Choice Is Right for You?

5. How Do People Make Career Decisions?

6. How Can You Make Effective Decisions about Your Career?

III. What Pathway Do You Take to Pursue Your Career Goals?

7. If You Choose Graduate School in Psychology, What Do You Need to Know to Increase Your Chance of Success?

8. If You Choose to Go Directly into the Workforce, How Can You Best Prepare for Your Job Search?

Conclusion

Appendix: Templates

References

Index

About the Author

Jennifer Zwolinski, PhD, ABPP, is Professor and Chair in the Department of Psychological Sciences at the University of San Diego (USD), where she has served on the faculty and in multiple leadership roles since 2001. A board-certified clinical psychologist, Dr. Zwolinski teaches a variety of courses, including Careers in Psychology and Careers in Clinical Mental Health. Her teaching and mentorship at USD have been recognized with the Davies Award for Teaching Excellence, the Preceptorial Faculty Member of the Year Award, the Honors Program "Mens et Spiritus" Professor of the Year Award, and Honorary Mortar Board membership. Dr. Zwolinski conducts research with undergraduate students in the areas of social threats and distress, as well as stress, coping, and help seeking during the COVID-19 pandemic. She has contributed numerous appendices on career development to top-selling psychology textbooks by David Myers and colleagues.

Audience

Undergraduate psychology students and instructors.

Course Use

Will serve as a text in Careers in Psychology and related courses.

The Psychology Career Playbook

Developing and Achieving Your Professional Goals

Jennifer Zwolinski

Table of Contents

About the Author

Audience

Course Use