The Journey of a Psychology Graduate: Challenges and Aspirations

As a Psychology graduate, I’ve come to appreciate the complexities and nuances of choosing psychology as a career. Recently, I came across a post from one of my juniors, who shared his regret about pursuing psychology. Reading his words saddened me. Psychology is filled with beauty and depth, offering insights into the human mind, behaviour, and well-being.

It holds incredible value for those passionate about making a difference. Yet, the journey to a stable and fulfilling career in psychology is fraught with challenges, particularly for those from middle or lower-middle-class backgrounds.

Building a career in psychology—whether in academia, counselling, or clinical practice—requires dedication and significant financial investment. The field holds promise, but reaching a settled and secure position often takes substantial time and effort. Many psychology graduates, myself included, aspire to roles that make an impact, such as becoming an assistant professor.

For me, this dream has been filled with hurdles, not only because of the competitive nature of the field but also due to systemic factors such as category-based cutoffs. After multiple attempts—six, to be exact—I still find myself just a few marks away from qualifying, a mere eight marks shy due to these cutoffs.

The process has also been challenging due to the evolving syllabus of exams, which often differs greatly from the material I initially studied and taught. Each attempt has meant re-learning and adapting to new content, except for a few foundational concepts that remain consistent. This constant adjustment has highlighted the significant gap between the content we teach in the classroom and the material expected in qualifying exams. Though I hold no blame toward my professors or the academic system itself, this mismatch has been an additional hurdle in an already challenging journey.

For psychology graduates from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, the challenges they face are particularly overwhelming. Specializing in clinical or counselling psychology often requires extensive training and additional certifications, which can be financially burdensome. The high cost of education, combined with limited stable job opportunities, can lead to years of struggle for those aspiring to contribute to mental health and wellness in their communities. I hope that one-day future graduates will encounter better opportunities, adequate financial support, and rewarding career prospects, allowing them to focus on their work without the fear of financial instability.

Ultimately, my experiences have deepened my understanding of the challenges psychology graduates face. It has become my hope that the field will evolve to offer more accessible pathways, fairer compensation, and a supportive environment for those committed to enhancing mental wellness. In sharing this story, I aim not only to shed light on these challenges but also to encourage current and future students to persist and seek out the beauty and purpose in psychology, even amid struggles. I believe that with the right support, psychology can be a career that brings fulfilment, stability, and positive change to both practitioners and society.