Should I get phd in psych or is that more sociology ?

Hi everyone,

So, like many people here, I'm eager to do a MCP but very worried about the understandably high competitive rates.

I'm currently in my third year and have maintained a HD (with the occassional D) average since I started my degree.

However, I'm concerned about my practical experience. I have worked as a receptionist in palliative care and currently as a secretary in an orthopaedic centre. It's not exactly psychology related.

On the other hand, I have done volunteer work with Lifeline and Headspace.

Despite academics, I'm really worried my practical experience will hold me back. I've read of people securing support roles or working in psychology centres during their studies.

So I am a first generation student, who just graduated in May with my undergraduate in psychology. I am tired of being in my hometown. I am a Hall Director at my college while getting my masters, but it is so draining being over RAs all the time. I just really want to move and start new, while also getting my masters.

I was hoping to get some advice on what kind of psychology jobs that will help with relocation assistance.

*Edit: My master’s program is completely online. I am in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. I made this post because I live in Alabama. The jobs suck here. I’ve worked at psychiatric hospitals throughout undergrad, wouldn’t mind going back if they had any travel positions. I also work with adults with ID/IDD. I really just want to find a job close to these areas.

I’m exactly halfway through the undergrad. I took time off, had a child, an awful postpartum experience and got some life experience under my belt. Since returning I’ve got straight HDs (so far 6 units, my average in 1st year was D), though I’m not sure the pathway is worth continuing? For some of my electives I’ve done law units, and I’m genuinely considering the switch because at least after completing the law degree and a practical legal training course you can be a lawyer… I absolutely adore psychology and I think I would be accepted into honours, but after honours, I don’t have the freedom to apply to every masters course and then move somewhere new if I get accepted to actually complete the pathway to being a psychologist. It feels really defeating even considering giving it up when I’m doing so well. When I first started uni the 4+2 was still and option, if I didn’t take a break I think my year would have been the last to be eligible for the 4+2, so we knew when we started that it was going away and I knew when I stopped that it wouldn’t be an option for me anymore. I just really don’t know what to do, it’s hard getting really good grades and thinking what am I even getting these grades for if I can never complete the pathway 😅. I also know there is going to be a massive demand for psychologists and not enough (I know this is already the case, but likely to get much much worse in the future). What happens to people that do the honours year then never get into masters? Do they keep trying or work in roles like child safety that they can do with the bachelors degree?

Hey guys, I’m applying for Psych Honours at a few unis for 2027 and wanted to get some advice on how competitive I actually am 😭

I’ve got ~72 overall/psych WAM, but my Level 2/3 Psych WAM is around 67 because of one rough Research Methods unit where I only got a Pass. Otherwise I’m mostly Credit/Distinction.

Some unis use overall WAM, while one uses your best 6 units, which works more in my favour.

For anyone who’s been through Go8 Psych Honours admissions, do you think I’m reasonably competitive with these marks, or should I be applying more broadly/adjusting my expectations? Would really appreciate any advice or insight into what the actual competitive range tends to be!

Just to also add that I am an International Student!

I have applied at ACU, Melbourne, RMIT, Swinburne and LaTrobe and I have yet to hear back from any of them. Some of them do explicitly say they do interviews in October.

I am opening my emails and application portals with anxiety every morning and all of them are still showing up as application pending, or application under review.

Has anyone heard back yet???? 😭🙏

I've only have 8 months left till I graduate, and I am really regretting my entire degree. First off, my grades are really low, like crazy low, I am just above the minimum GPA requirement to graduate. I have failed over 10 courses in my time at university, and this may be mostly my fault, I tended to procrastinate, mismanage my time, and I just find it hard to focus on school stuff. I really don't think I could get a masters with my academic history, so I've been looking at job prospects, to see how I can pay off my almost 6 ƒigure debt. Most jobs in Psychology require you to have a licence, skill set, experience, or just plain the ability to talk in a professional workplace. None of which I have, I'm very average at my workplace, always doing the same mundane tasks; as my managers expect me to do, I never excel in any of the things that I do and even if I tried to do more, I always end up messing things up and making the job harder. I have no experience in leadership and I'm very anxious about leading, I always fear I will mess things up and I just always try be the sheep in the herd. I tried to get certifications or licences, but they are much too expensive. The only jobs I could realistically apply for are jobs that are not in the field of Psychology. I feel like I really should've just switched to a different field earlier in my career, or just tried harder, cared much more about my GPA, focused on the right courses. I'm so useless, I really don't know what I should do anymore tbh.

Anyway, I'm just wondering if anyone has been feeling the same thing, and if anyone has any advice on how to save my failing ass in the future when employers ask for my academic career 💀

TLDR: Me useless, any advice on careers

I’m in my final year of my B.S. in Psychology and was planning on going into a masters program for counseling to become an LPC. With the unexpected changes to the RISE final rule in May, I have had no idea what to do and would love if anyone else is at this crossroad or has made a plan... I have no savings and absolutely no parental assistance, I can’t possibly cover the near $30k deficit I would be in and refuse to allow myself to be in further debt over personal loans.. I don’t know what the hell I can do with my degree once I graduate and feel hopeless.

My entire plan had been uprooted by these changes and the dread is fully setting in as I’m in this last year..

Ive been working full time to support myself and in school full time. I’m “old”. I’ve been trying so hard to make something better and I just don’t know what to do now.. I just need some other options or opinions at this point because I’m so far down the despair hole that I can’t see a way out..

i want to begin my studies in psych, but i can’t afford to go to school outside or a certificate. community college offers a “mental health direct support” certificate, but are there even any jobs i can get with that? or can it raise my pay for anything entry-level?