Careers
Study Psychology. Do Anything.
What can I do with a Psychology major?
Our graduates work in a wide variety of fields due largely to the skills they learn in studying psychology. These skills include, but are not limited to, the ability to critically evaluate and understand complex ideas and theories, data analytical skills, the capacity to be independent learners, and the ability to clearly, concisely, and effectively articulate their thoughts in both written and oral format. In addition, students benefit from gaining insight into and understanding why they (and others) think, feel, and behave as they do — insight that is invaluable in working and interacting effectively with people in all settings.
About a third of our graduates move directly to some form of graduate or professional program, another third enter the workforce directly in various disciplines and areas and the rest do a period of service before returning to graduate school or the workforce.
Skills you'll learn
- Ethical judgment and decision making
- Ability to analyze and solve problems with people from different backgrounds
- Well-developed higher-level thinking ability in analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating information
- Excellent people skills
- An understanding of their own and the behavior of others
- Predict and understand the behavior of individuals and groups
- Evaluate the legitimacy of claims about behavior
- Know how memory and learning function
- Have insight into problematic behaviors
- Demonstrate the capacity to adapt to change
- Understand and operate effectively throughout the channels of an organization
- Manage difficult situations and high-stress environments
- Start and carry out projects with limited information or experience
- Show persistence in challenging circumstances
Catherine Reidy ’13
Global macro and comparative analytics researcher — Eurasia Group
Catherine Reidy majored in psychology and anthropology before attending the University of Oxford as a Clarendon Scholar. “Studying psychology is interesting because you learn a lot about yourself in the process—things that make you think and develop. I’ve always been intrigued with the study of the human person and the way that we interact with others in society. My advisers taught me the meaning of research integrity. They inspired me to care more about the world outside of my own interests—to do research and work that matters and that will make a contribution.”
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Catherine Reidy ’13
Global macro and comparative analytics researcher — Eurasia Group
Catherine Reidy majored in psychology and anthropology before attending the University of Oxford as a Clarendon Scholar. “Studying psychology is interesting because you learn a lot about yourself in the process—things that make you think and develop. I’ve always been intrigued with the study of the human person and the way that we interact with others in society. My advisers taught me the meaning of research integrity. They inspired me to care more about the world outside of my own interests—to do research and work that matters and that will make a contribution.”
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Kristin Cullinan ’19
Fulbright Teaching Assistant — Madrid, Spain
"Psychology applies directly to my current position, as I work mostly in the Psychology Department at Universidad Camilo José Cela. Furthermore, nearly everything I do as a teaching assistant requires me to utilize the wide range of speaking, reading, writing, researching, and analytical skills that I developed through my Arts and Letters studies. Throughout this year, I have provided instruction in several undergraduate courses and I also assist a professor with the RULER research project, a collaboration with the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence."
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Mark Hardy ’19
Analyst — Volition Capital
"By delving into the intricacies of human behavior, I could appreciate why different people with different backgrounds have different ideas and patterns of behavior. Every Psychology class I took incorporated evidence-backed research to corroborate every point which ingrained in me a data-driven mindset that is key to any analyst role. This was a very marketable skillset for employers and I was able to make the most of it and land a position with Volition."
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Natalie (Jackson) Hibshman ’17
M.D. student — Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
“I loved psychology and the brain. I was happy I chose to major in Arts and Letters Pre-Health and psychology because it allowed me to explore interests outside of science, and I ended up with a studio art minor because of that freedom. My route to medical school has helped me because I feel that I can think outside the box. Those of us in medical school with bachelor of arts degrees have been regarded as the creative thinkers of the class. You need those deviations to make strong teams, and I think all of our eclectic backgrounds will make us better physicians someday."
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Meghan Pugach ’03
Psychologist — Rosie's Place
After completing her bachelor's in psychology, Meghan Pugach ’03 earned a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from Boston College. "I'm currently working as psychologist at Rosie's Place, a shelter and multi-service center for poor and homeless women in Boston. I also have a private practice, where I treat children, adolescents, and adults with a range of presenting concerns. Beyond the practical research skills I gleaned at Notre Dame, I was also strongly influenced by the professors who helped me to develop my ability to think critically about topics in the classroom, and more importantly, about the world outside. On a daily basis, my undergraduate experience continues to inform my work."
98% of recent Notre Dame Psychology majors found success within six months of graduation.
Source: Meruelo Family Center for Career Development First Destination Reports, 2020–24
Independent projects include completing internships, conducting research, taking a gap year, pursing independent creative projects or freelance work, or volunteering.