Is Psychology a good future choice for introverts?

You may be a student who’s either coming towards the beginning or the end of their university journey and may be thinking about the opportunities that are available to you as an introvert. Leaving education and joining the working world can be terrifying, especially if you’re an introvert.

An introvert is someone who tends to enjoy quieter, low-stimulus environments and may feel drained or overwhelmed by too much social interaction. If you are more on the reserved side with your personality traits and someone who enjoys their personal space, you might be an introvert. If you are currently looking for a career path that will enable you to embrace your introversion, psychology could be perfect for you. So, let’s hop right in so you can compare your options and get your thoughts running!

What is psychology?

Psychology takes a deep and intense look into the science and study of the mind, human behaviours, emotions, thoughts and motivations. Due to research over the years, we understand more of what’s going on up there!

But it isn’t as boring as it might sound. You get to look at the thought process behind various different people’s actions, such as criminals or politicians and in theory, by the end of your studies, you should be able to assess anyone that seeks or need professional help.

Along with learning about the things mentioned, you gain skills that are helpful in employment along with your studies such as statistics, research and writing skills; this is why the possibilities that come with being a psychology graduate are endless.

What routes will become available to me?

The main route that psychology graduates take, naturally, is a career as a psychologist. But other common choices are:

Counselling

- A counsellor is someone who helps individuals that are facing personal, social, educational and career challenges. The aim of a counsellor is to provide support and guidance to their clients in the form of therapy in order to improve their health and well-being. You should expect to work in environments such as a therapy clinic, a GP practice, an educational setting or from your own office/home.

Clinical Psychology

- Clinical psychologists specialise in treating and diagnosing mental, emotional and behavioural disorders. This can be by working with individuals, families or groups to provide therapy, conduct psychological assessments and develop treatment plans that are best suited for clients. You will most likely find yourself working for the NHS or a private hospital. If not, you could be working from a client's home, at a health centre or in an educational setting.

Sport Psychology

- Sometimes we forget athletes are human too; especially if they’re famous! A sports psychologist is someone who works with athletes in order to improve their performance and overall well-being, including their mental resilience. If you have ever been or still are an athlete, you will understand that sports can come with stress leading to a loss in motivation and drive. Sports psychologists are here to reduce and prevent the chances of that happening.

Forensic Psychology

- As mentioned previously in the blog, as a psychology student, you will get to study areas such as criminal behaviour. Forensic psychology is where the law and criminal justice meet You could help solve cases by identifying possible suspects, help convicts understand their issues and prepare risk assessments. The standard working environment for a forensic psychologist is typically within the police service or the NHS. By supporting legal proceedings, you will also be making communities stronger and safer.

Now that you have been given a clear understanding of a few of the roles that would be available and what they consist of, you may now be wondering ‘at what point do I find out why psychology is fit for introverts?’ Well, the answer is right in front of you!

The career options mentioned above all consist of working with a small number of people or independently, providing one-to-one care for your clients involving no other parties.

Introverts thrive in an environment where they can work on their own terms and in their own space, as this allows thoughts and feelings to come naturally. It is important for introverts to find a role in which they can excel without having to go too far out of their comfort zone. Of course, you are never going to find a job in which you never have to communicate with anyone ever. But you can find a role like those mentioned that reflects the type of person you are.

Where do I start?

If you are interested in making a step in this direction but are unsure of where to start your journey, we have something that will sound like music to your ears!

At the University of Bolton, we offer a wide variety of psychology courses that would allow you to pursue your dream future. These courses include:

- BSc (Hons) Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience

- BSc (Hons) Criminological and Forensic Psychology

- BSc (Hons) Mental Health, Wellbeing and Counselling

- BSc (Hons) Psychology

- BSc (Hons) Psychology, Psychotherapy and Counselling

If you want to find out more about these subjects, just follow the links above!

Bolton University takes pride in putting our students before anything else. Not only do we offer one-to-one support for each student throughout their studies, but we also take into consideration all the struggles that may come with being a student. We understand; whether you’re an introvert or not, as a student it can be hard to speak out and ask questions in a lecture hall full of hundreds of others. That’s why we are proud to offer small class sizes for all our courses that allow students to form meaningful connections with each other and create a comfortable learning environment.

So, what are you waiting for? #UseYerLoaf and choose #UniAsItShouldBe, one big family that offers a friendly, diverse and supportive campus. For any further information, contact us at enquiries@bolton.ac.uk or call us on 01204 903903.