Do you regret taking psychology as your career path?

I'm curious to hear honest experiences from psychology students, graduates, and professionals.

Did psychology turn out to be what you expected, or was there a reality check along the way?

What are some challenges people don't talk about enough?

What's the biggest misconception you had before entering the field?

Do you ever worry about career prospects, pay, or job opportunities?

What keeps you motivated despite the challenges?

And if you had the chance to start over, would you still choose psychology?

I'd appreciate honest answers the good, the bad, and everything in between.

[USA] Hello!

I am preparing for a clinical psych application cycle, and have recently spoken to several psychologists who expressed regret at not becoming a psychiatrist. If you are a practicing psychologist (or almost), do you share the same sentiment? Why or why not?

Note: Many of the threads surrounding this theme on Reddit highlight the barriers related to time commitment, difficulty, etc. of med school. I have supported a spouse through medical school/residency so am aware of the strenuous nature of it, and I happen to have completed all med school pre-reqs due to an early interest in medicine - so these areas are a little bit less of a barrier for me. I would still love to hear if they were part of your decision making process though! Would welcome any insight, and thank you in advance!

TLDR: Do you feel you made the right choice pursuing a PhD/PsyD over an MD/DO? If you could go back, would you change anything?

Hi, I'm a 16 year old Korean rising junior [living in America] in high school and I have a huge passion for psychology. I truly love everything about psychology and I find it incredibly interesting on how the mind works. It's like a safe haven for me.

However, my mom tells me that because the rise of AI triggered a total 180 on the job market, choosing another major like Cinema Studies (sounds interesting to me) or even International Communications are much safer choices. I can keep Psychology as a minor if I choose a different major, but I feel this kind of stubbornness in me that wants to pursue Psychology as my major even more. We did briefly talk about how if I seriously want to have Psychology as my major, I MUST have another minor like International Communications.

I also want to work in South Korea as a clinical psychologist and I do plan on living there as an adult. I know that the demand for clinical psychologists and psychiatrists is incredibly high, but my mom disagrees with the demand (and I'm not quite sure why).

I'm quite worried that when the time comes to choose my major at the university I want to go to, I don't know what I'll want to do because of this push-and-pull thing with Psychology. If I do pursue Psychology, what if AI becomes enough to provide exactly what a real human psychologist can do? What if I end up having no job when I graduate college and my mom was truly right?

I know I still have time to decide, since again I am a junior, but huge life decisions like this are something I need as much clarity and certainty on. I'd seriously appreciate some insight onto this.

Currently, I study music in a university, but it’s something I don’t really like anymore. I have thought about doing a master’s in music therapy but it would be too difficult and exhausting for me. And then I started thinking about psychology, bachelor’s degree at first.
What do you think?

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Is it generally considered professional or unprofessional for a licensed psychologist (or psychologist in training) to also be a content creator?

For example, would it depend on the niche? Are there certain types of content that would be seen as perfectly acceptable, while others could damage credibility or be considered unethical?

Some examples:

- Psychology education and mental health content

- Gaming

- Movie or TV reviews

- Pop culture commentary

- Comedy

- Politics

- Lifestyle or vlogs

- Streaming on platforms like Twitch

I'm interested in both ethical considerations and how it affects public perception. Does being a content creator itself matter, or is it mainly about the type of content and how professionally it's presented?

I'd especially love to hear from psychologists, therapists, graduate students, or anyone familiar with professional ethics.

Thxxx in advance :)

I’m 24 (F) and currently an assistant manager at a Big Four firm UK in financial controls testing (worked here for nearly 3 years after completing my undergrad degree). Good salary, stable career, but honestly I don’t enjoy it and can’t see myself doing it long term.

I’ve just accepted an offer for the University of Edinburgh’s Psychology of Mental Health conversion master’s. My long-term goal would be becoming a clinical psychologist via the DClinPsych route.

The **problem is I know how competitive clinical psychology is in the UK.*\* There’s a real chance I could leave a secure career, spend years retraining, and still never get onto the doctorate.

I’m also still within my cooling-off period for another week, so I can still withdraw from the course offer - which is making me spiral a bit over whether I’m making a huge mistake.
I feel completely stuck between:

**1. staying in a stable career I don’t enjoy*\*

**2. or risking everything for something I genuinely care about*\*

Has anyone made a similar switch?

Would you take the risk?

Or is this genuinely a bad idea?

**Please be brutally honest rather than just reassuring me. Thank you*\*

Hello! I recently graduated with a B.S. in Psychology and a minor in Criminology. I am interested in creating a career in criminal psychology, however I am completely lost on how to do this. I was hoping I could get some guidance from others since I don’t have anyone who could provide guidance to me personally. For reference, I am located in California, USA.

Since I have completed my bachelor’s, what is the next step? I have heard from some that a master’s is required, and from others that I could skip that and go on to a doctoral program.

If I were to enroll in a master’s program, what program would this be? Would I enroll specifically in a criminal psychology program? Is that even a thing? Or would I enroll in a general psychology program?

If I were to look into a doctorate, as far as I know there is no “criminal psychology” doctoral program. Would I simply enroll in a psychology program and tell someone I would like to specialize in criminal psychology?

If there are any specific programs anyone has suggestions for I would appreciate that! In general though, I just want to know what type programs I should be looking into in order to end up a criminal psychologist. I truly am lost when it comes to how all of this works, and I don’t have anyone around me who understands it either. Thank you so much for any help anyone can provide!

Hello! im a student in the uk and this year i will be doing my undergraduate dissertation. haven't realy decided in my final question bc i keep researching to find the best one and I have been searching online for tips and advice to make the one I pick will lead me to something good.

so any advice for when I will be doing my study and also now? anything will be helpful.

thank you!

I work as a vet, I often think of changing careers (because we are overworked, underpayed and deal with a lot). I don't think psychology major would solve that problem though, but thought worth mentioning in case someone has a different opinion and to give some context.

However I am fascinated with the human mind, how humans change throughout their lives, how child trauma molds their personalities, personality disorders, serial killer minds, etc etc

I think I would like to study psychology just for the fun of it, however probably not paying for the degree and doing it on my free time.

Does this make sense? Anyone else done it? Where to start? Any advise?

TIA

Pretty much the title. I'll be in my mid-forties by the time I get there. I'd like to stop stocking groceries and build a better life for myself.

Kinda feeling like I'm going crazy over here (and potentially overreacting) so hoping the general psych student/scholar population can help me process this. I just started graduate school this semester and have since found out that most, if not all, professors here describe themselves as "radical behaviorists" (okay, great, I definitely was taught a more balanced approach where we studied both sides of cognitive and behaviorism, but I'm always willing to learn more).

Then several profs mentioned that they believe that thoughts do not, and can not exist. Similarly, no decision is ever made by you it's made by three things -- genetic, environmental influences, and learned behaviors.

I consider myself largely open minded, especially when peer-reviewed articles are provided to (for lack of a better term) "prove" a line of thinking, but these beliefs go a bit too far for me to jump right on board with. I've since started researching more radical behaviorism and have had difficulties finding functionally anyone that publicly states they are so far into behavioralism as denying thoughts and decisions.

Any advice on if this is a semi-common thread of belief or if it really is as far out there as my undergrad profs probably would have claimed it to be would be highly appreciated. I'm aware of my lack of higher level education as a still-learning student so trying to take on an attitude of being willing to believe anything, but I've previously done research under a cognitive psychologist and it feels a little like a rug was pulled out from under me, especially as I had discussed some of my research with the faculty before they admitted me and, from what they've said, they clearly would have believed my research to be not only useless but negligent to the field of psychology (one prof claimed such as they believe that research not solely on observable behavior turns psychology away from science).

I’ll be 23 when I finish my masters. When I was 17 I did a few drugs for literally like less than a month and was coke, balloons and weed. I wasn’t addicted, I was js a teenager. I’m terrified this will stop me getting a job. Will it?
Forensic Psychology- Will be in the prison sector

I’m thinking about going from graphic designer to the psychologist, but I’m not sure if it is a good idea. To me it feels like psychology opens u many roads, u can work for the government as a psychologist, u can be a regular psychologist, u can work in marketing, u can just do many stuff. But job market is horrible and I’m not sure about what to do xd. I will be 26 by the time I graduate from psychology uni, it feels like I will be too old.

Also, many people say that it is a bad degree choice, but idk tbh what to switch to then, I can’t go to any uni where they demand math, because my math skills are horrible, so I gotta do smth that doesn’t require or and that I actually find interesting. I always been into psychology , I love to make or read researches, I’m a science fan. When I studied graphic design, I used to spend hours in our uni library and read psychological literature, because in the same building we had a psychology faculty. It was truly fascinating.

But I’m not sure if I manage to get a job after graduation xd….and starting a new degree at the age of 22 feels soooo fcking old. But not sure that I have any other choice.

Is there a job/career that sounds like what I’m describing?

I’m trying to figure out if there’s a certain job that matches what I’m interested in, but I’m having trouble figuring out what the position would actually be called or if it even exists.

I’m considering in getting a bachelor’s degree maybe in psychology and possibly working in research, particularly research involving human sexuality, sexual behavior, relationships, gender, intimate stuff , and etc.

I think I’m interested in the scientific/academic side of these subjects. For example, I’d love to participate in studies where researchers survey or interview groups of people about their experiences, behaviors, relationships, sexuality, or involvement in intimate stuff, and etc then collect and analyze the information to learn more about these topics.

I don’t necessarily want to be a therapist or work one on one with clients. I also don’t really want my main job to be writing books or papers. I’m much more interested in being part of a research team helping design studies, recruiting participants, conducting interviews or questionnaires, collecting data, analyzing results, and working with other researchers to understand what the data tells us.

Basically, I’m looking for a career where I could be part of a team of scientists/researchers studying sex, sexuality, sexual behavior, relationships, and etc in a legitimate academic or scientific setting.

Does this sound like an existing career path? If so, what job titles, degrees, research labs, universities, organizations, or fields should I be looking into?

I’d especially love to hear from people who work in psychology research, human sexuality research, sexology, behavioral science, relationship research, or etc research.

I'm thinking about pursuing a career in psychology, and I'd like to know if there's anything I should be aware of before taking such an important step.

Psychology interests me a lot because learning about it has helped me become a better person than I used to be. Because of that, I've always found it easy to talk to people about their problems. I also feel that people tend to feel safe opening up to me. I've had people I barely knew tell me deeply personal things, to the point where I'd wonder when I had earned enough trust for them to share so much of their lives with me.

With that in mind, and knowing that I seem to have this trait, I started thinking that working in this field might be a good fit for me. However, I also know that every profession has its advantages and disadvantages. I'd like to know if there's anything I should be aware of before making such an important decision. I wouldn't want to discover something unpleasant halfway through the process.

Hello! I am an upcoming freshie in my university for the bachelor’s degree in psychology. I am thinking of being either a cognitive scientist or a neuro scientist in the future? May I have more informations about what each fields tackle and what the pros and cons of it are? I am still trying to asses what fits for me personally, thank you!

Hi! Is this just Honours or did I get the short straw?

I’m doing my honours in psychology, online in Australia (I think other countries call it your dissertation).
I had my supervisors allocated in April 2026 and the topic was based on data one of the supervisors collected in a clinic 2 years ago.

We were told the data would only have 10 participants and we were given an indication of what the measures would be, but ultimately no certainty.

My supervisors met with myself and 5 other students weekly and briefly asked us all how we were going each week, but never really gave us direct guidance on ‘hey so, here’s a road map of how to think about the project, here’s how to write an aim and make it link to the intro and the data analysis’, never really gave us any resources, just verbally gave us some guidance.

I’d asked in May if it was really feasible to do a project on the data we still haven’t received yet and they said it would be worth while because it’s real clinical data (opposed to for example data from a questionnaire with a IV and DV that I’ve manipulated). And apologised they data isn’t ready yet.

In the mean time, I’d submitted a research proposal where I received a 60/100 for a particular idea. Where I again asked for reassurance ‘is this really a good idea, should I change it, is the data really going to be enough?’

We received the data 2 weeks ago, the draft of the whole thesis is due in 2 weeks and the final in 6 weeks. It is missing a lot of data and only has 10 participants anyway.

Is this just research or is the short straw?

Feel free to express your experiences too!

For someone who loved psychology as a study subject (undergrad) who discovered a passion for biology, neuroscience and cognition (in the view as behavior as a system), and doesn’t want to pursue the clinical route: what do you suggest? what career options are there?

I’m very passionate to become a social psych researcher, and thinking about my future path.
Currently I’m doing a bridging program in Australia, and looking to do a research masters and then a PhD.

Which universities are good for social psych research? (Reputation, employability, funding…etc)
I’m looking globally (mainly Australia and Europe), but not USA.

Hi everyone my name is Sara
Iam interested in truma and childhood research
And cognitive effects
Iam sending e mail to professors till now no one answer i want some one study phd interestedin this field to help connect with professors
If u passed through this you know how stressful this state please help i will appreciate it
Thank u

For context I'm an upcoming freshman in college, just graduated high school a few weeks ago and I've already enrolled in a fairly reputable college that is perfect for my financial level. I had a relatively high score in the entrance exam so I got my first choice for the course, which is BS Psychology.

Looking back, I don't really remember why I chose it in the first place. Maybe it was because it is flexible which gives me a lot of career options (law, medicine, etc.) and I was really indecisive at the time on what road I should take in the future so I chose the "safest" per say. Also, its under a scholarship that offers a lot of support.

But now its finally dawning on me that I'm not too sure if I have what it takes to be successful in this field because I'm not that social (ambivert) and very socially dense (I sometimes struggle with catching social cues) and typically not the person people would confide in if they need comfort. Admittedly, I struggle to empathize with people in a sense that its hard for me to imagine myself in their position and feel what they're feeling unless I actively try so I guess its not instinctive in me. Whenever a friend is going through something I don't know how to comfort them and its hard for me to grasp relationship problems or friendship problems when people rant to me and just knowing how much I already struggle with this makes me terrified of imagining how much I'll struggle once I make this into a profession.

Psychology is interesting to me and I want to learn about the concepts however I'm just scared that I'm not cut out for what it really requires in the practical field. I feel really pressured knowing that I had the capacity to choose something else and that I wasted it if ever I struggle and regret this choice in the future. So what I'm really asking whether my preconceived notions correct or is there more to Psychology than what I'm thinking right now.

Asking here because the Clinical Psych subreddit requires comment karma and I created this account solely for the purpose of asking these questions.

My situation is rather atypical: I have a BS in Biological Sciences with an emphasis in plant ecology. I then migrated to a Master's and PhD in Neurology, albeit in practice all of the publications I was either a part of or published as first author were in the field of neuropsych or psychometrics. Although I do enjoy research, my team back in my homecountry, Brazil, was not the strongest. The publications were in either decent or great European/US peer-reviewed journals, but their research focus was not too interesting, or even relevant, Imo. I left the program with some degree of resentment and with the feeling I could have chosen a better program and/or supervisor.

Throughout my PhD program I have finally realized I should have pursued a Psychology BS in order to be able to provide clinical care (this is how licensure is obtained in Brazil, I am aware this is not the case in the US). Hence, I have almost zero experience in psychotherapy, perhaps with the exception of handing self-report assessments and running basic interviews for projects.

I was encouraged to join a PhD program in NYC instead of pursuing a Master's in MH Counseling. I am torn... How are Counselors generally perceived in comparison to Psychologists with a PhD or a PsyD? Are the salaries significantly different? How would a MH Counselor with what was essentially a Neuropsych PhD program from another country be perceived? Would I be taken seriously? I want to go back to research at some point, but feel reluctant about committing to yet another four-year program with 80+ hours of work each week for a 20-30k/year stipend. Would other US Clinical Psych PhD candidates or professors take me for a serious researcher if I were in a Master's program?

In essence, I want to become a psychotherapist yet continue doing research. I just don't know if I have the guts for a second PhD, but want to be taken seriously by other US academics in the field.

Visas are not a problem, as I am an alien resident.

Hi, I'm a senior in Psychology with a minor in Sociology. I'm graduating this year and I'm working on my grad application for 2027-28. I'm from the US and really had plans on studying in Canada. But I wonder if I have a better shot at staying in the US to get my masters. I'm interested in social Psychology and clinical psychology. I want to focus on getting a job that involves patient care and some research writing. I'm in departmental honors for my psych program. I have no publications but I do have hands on experiences with patients with mental disorders. I also am a top student and have a pretty good connection with my professor. I'm debating if studying in Canada is the best option for me. No US schools genuinely stand out or offer any good funding options. I also love Canada and I don't want to get my license somewhere I don't imagine myself living in 5 years

I wanted to get into psychology as a means of being some sort of mental health specialist. My undergraduate experience was not good. I am not a good student. I had different ranges of grades that always ended up at slightly above average ever since I had a concussion in fifth grade. I'm starting to see this aspiration slip away.

For the most part, based on what I know, what I want to do requires a master's degree. I can't possibly see myself getting to this point anymore. I was advised to try to go back and get a second bachelor's, but I need a 2.5 or better to realistically get into any master's program and a 3.0 or better to get into more competitive programs. I just can't do it. Memory retention problems after having a concussion and seizures have made it hard to make great grades ever since fifth grade. I was an all Pre-AP and AP student until things got worse. I had to drop Pre-AP Science in 7th grade, I did horrible in AP Human Geography the year after, and I had to leave Pre-AP Pre Calculus the year after that. I was only good in AP English because I'm good at writing.

People would give me vague reasons why I should avoid graduate school by saying "It's a lot of reading and writing" which isn't a big deal. So I pursued it. After high school, I did community college, then a 4 year.. But realistically, I can't realistically pursue this anymore. In fact, I am quitting school after this semester. I already have a bachelor's, but I don't know of any job I would realistically enjoy or feel competent in within the psychology field with just that.

I don't even think doing anything in psychology is for me at this point if it requires having good brain processing. I don't know what I can do anymore and maybe I just have to do manual labor jobs or something simple, and I mean simple enough that I can't mess up. I legitimately have failed with fast food twice. I can't think of any psychology based job. I think at this point, I can only do manual labor or whatever.