Business

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Business

Psychology Career Pathways

What is Business?

The field of business focuses on how organizations operate, make decisions, and create value through areas like management, marketing, human resources, and operations. At its core, business is deeply people-centered, making it a strong fit for psychology majors who study human behavior, motivation, communication, and decision-making. Psychology students bring valuable insight into how employees perform, how leaders influence teams, how consumers make choices, and how organizational cultures develop. As a result, psychology majors are well prepared for business roles that involve working with people and systems where understanding behavior is essential.

Psychology in Practice

Psychology plays a direct, applied role in both HR and marketing. In HR, psychological principles inform how organizations select employees, design training programs, support motivation, and create environments that promote engagement and retention. In marketing, psychology helps explain why people choose certain products, how they respond to messaging, and what influences attitudes and behavior.

Business for Psychology Majors

Explore sub-fields of business that are fit for psychology majors. Click on the hyperlinked sample job posts to see real job postings that detail the position's responsibilities and qualifications. 

  • Human Resources
  • About Field
    Human resources focuses on recruiting, developing, and supporting employees while shaping workplace culture and employee well-being. This subfield includes hiring practices, training, performance management, employee relations, and compliance with workplace policies and labor laws.

    Sample Job Posts
    • Human Resources Generalist
    • Academic Human Resources Analyst
    • Learning and Development Specialist

    Sample Job Titles
    Human Resources Coordinator, Corporate Recruiter, Staffing Specialist, Benefits Administrator, Onboarding Specialist, Employee Relations Manager, Human Resources Analyst, Employment Representative, Personnel Officer
  • Marketing and Advertisement
  • About Field
    Marketing focuses on understanding consumer needs, shaping messages, and influencing purchasing behavior through branding, advertising, and market research. It combines data analysis, creativity, and strategic messaging to connect organizations with their target markets.

    Sample Job Posts
    • Communications Assistant 
    • Marketing Assistant
    • Communications Specialist

    Sample Job Titles
    Brand Coordinator, Business Development Specialist, Demographic Analyst, Market Analyst, Market Research Analyst, Market Research Consultant, Market Research Specialist, Market Researcher, Marketing Strategist

How to Prepare for a Career in Business

Do your Research

The steps you take to prepare for a career in business depend on what kind of position you want to pursue. For an overview on how to conduct research on your professions of interest, look at our Work Research section on the right. Here are some other starting points:

 

 

Supplement Your Bachelor's Degree

Consider the following course, double major, minor, and experiential recommendations during your academic journey

  • Psychology Major Course Recommendations
  • Core A: Perception, Cognition, & Cognitive Neuroscience
    PSC 100 — Introduction to Cognitive Psychology
    PSC 133 — Neuroeconomics/Reinforcement Learning & Decision Making

    Core B: Psychobiology
    PSC 126 — Health Psychology

    Core C: Social/Emotional
    PSC 151 — Social Psychology
    PSC 152 — Social Cognition
    PSC 154 — Psychology of Emotion
    PSC 169 — The Science of Multi-Cultural Psychology

    Core D: Development
    PSC 142 — Social & Personality Development

    Electives
    CMN 120 — Interpersonal Communication
    CMN 122 — Nonverbal Communication
    CNS 100 — Consumer Behavior
    SOC 126 — Social Interaction
     
  • Double Major Recommendations
  • Business
    Cognitive Science
    Communication
    Economics
    Managerial Economics
    Mathematical Analytics & Operations Research
    Sociology - Organizational Studies
    Statistics
  • Minor Recommendations
  • Accounting
    Communication
    Contemporary Leadership
    Managerial Economics
    Statistics
    Technology Management
  • Work Experience and Internship Recommendations
  • It is highly recommended that all undergraduate students engage in part-time work, internships, volunteering, and other extracurricular opportunities. ANY experience is RELEVANT experience. 

    General Experiential Education Recommendations for Psychology Students

    Business Specific Recommendations
    • Many departments on campus will hire for a Social Media Assistant as a student position. This can involve running their social media profiles, website, or newsletter. 
    • Student organizations and clubs on campus also have positions for social media and marketing relations
    • ASUCD employs students for a variety of positions involved in social media management
    • Use the key terms Marketing/Social Media/Human Resources + Intern/Assistant/Coordinator in job search boards
  • Campus Organization Recommendations
  • Davis Women in Business
    Davis Women in Business (DWIB) is one of the largest professional organizations at UC Davis. We aim to build a community of high-achieving leaders who challenge themselves and others to bring their voices and ideas to the table. We focus on helping our members get to the next level. 

    Economics and Business Student Association
    The Economics and Business Student Association (EBSA) is the largest undergraduate professional business organization at the University of California, Davis. Founded in 2012, our mission is to empower students to pursue careers in business, economics, and other related fields.

    Human Resources Management Association at UC Davis
    Our purpose is to provide students with the fundamentals of offer letters and benefit packages, equip them with the tools to negotiate salaries, enhance interviewing skills, and foster self-advocacy. We aim to cultivate a supportive community of aspiring HR professionals and facilitate learning opportunities for the broader business community at UC Davis, offering workshops on cover letters, resumes, and other essential career development topics. Through these initiatives, we strive to bridge the gap between academia and industry, empowering individuals to achieve their career goals with confidence and competence.

    Phi Chi Theta, Eta Epsilon
    Phi Chi Theta (PCT) is a national co-ed professional fraternity in business and economics, established in Chicago in 1924 by six women from rival business fraternities. With over 23,000 members nationwide, PCT focuses on developing professional leadership skills, fostering a supportive network, and promoting business education. The fraternity emphasizes values, codes, and professionalism, aiming to enhance business acumen, encourage cooperation, and stimulate dedication among members preparing for business careers.

    Pipinix in Business and Law
    The mission statement of Pilipinx in Business and Law is to provide a community with whom students interested in pursuing careers in business, law, and other related fields can feel supported academically, socially, culturally, and professionally. We strive to empower others by exploring the Pilipinx identity as well as encouraging growth through awareness and advocacy within these fields.

Graduate School for Business

Graduation cap decorated with white and yellow flowers and blue stickers, seen from behind

What is Graduate School? What is a Graduate Degree?

Understand what graduate school is with this page from the Pre-Grad Advising Office. Pre-Grad Advisors are available to meet with students to discuss if graduate school is right for you .

Do I Need Graduate School for Business?

Graduate school may not be required for many entry-level careers in business. Psychology majors can pursue positions in areas like human resources, recruiting, marketing, sales, customer success, operations, and communications with only a bachelor’s degree. In many business fields, relevant experience, internships, leadership, networking, and transferable skills are often just as important as graduate education.

Graduate school may be worth considering if you:

  • Want to qualify for higher-level leadership or management positions
  • Want to specialize in a specific area such as organizational development, consumer behavior, analytics, or industrial-organizational psychology
  • Are interested in careers involving research, assessment, consulting, or advanced data analysis
  • Find that positions you are interested in consistently prefer or require graduate degrees
  • Want to increase your long-term earning potential or career mobility
  • Enjoy academic learning and want deeper training in a subject area

Before pursuing graduate school, it is important to research the careers you are considering and determine whether a graduate degree is necessary, preferred, or optional for those paths.

Common Graduate Programs Related to Business

  • Business Administration (with several concentrations)
  • Human Resources/Organizational Leadership
  • Marketing Analytics
  • Industrial-Organizational Psychology
  • Business Analytics
  • Consumer Sciences