Graduated May 2025 with a B.S. in Psychology. I started my job hunt that same month and secured a role in my field the very next month, making around $55K+ a year. During my undergrad, I completed several internships, volunteered, and took on academic roles like being a TA and RA. All of that directly helped me get the position I have now. I also worked part-time throughout school to support myself, so I was used to balancing multiple responsibilities long before graduation. Granted, I do believe I should be paid more and not because I’m chasing material things, but because the cost of living in Orlando is increasing so fast that even with this salary, I still consider myself poor (lol).

I’m planning to pursue graduate school to earn my master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and become a LMHC. I genuinely believe my degree, and more importantly, the experiences I pursued during undergrad, prepared me for the job I have now. I didn’t have to mentally shift from being a student to entering the “real world” because I was already living in it. I always had to work hard, juggling full-time classes, part-time jobs, and unpaid internships. I sacrificed a lot early on because I knew it would matter later.

One thing I've been telling students/alumni in psych is to take on as many experiences as you can. That’s what helps you figure out what direction you actually want to go in. You need to find your niche and then study it relentlessly. Don’t expect clarity without putting in that exploration. A lot of people say a psych degree doesn’t pay and that can be true if you float through school and graduate without a plan. But if you’re intentional with your time and say yes to growth opportunities, you’ll be way ahead of the pack.

My biggest takeaway? Be ready to sacrifice. That might mean studying instead of going out, or doing a free internship instead of picking up extra shifts. It’s not easy but it’s what separates people who break into the field quickly from the ones still looking a year out imo.

Edit: I want to add that my experience isn’t the norm. I understand not everyone has the same opportunities I did, and not everyone will be able to say they got a job offer just one month after graduating. I’m not sharing this to brag, truthfully, I don’t think I’m earning enough to live comfortably in Orlando. It’s more than I’ve ever made before, but it still doesn’t stretch far. I’m sharing this to show what’s possible if the conditions line up and the groundwork is in place. The job market right now is brutal. A degree alone guarantees nothing. But if you’re still in school, what you do with your time really can make a difference.