An evaluation of the characteristics of undergraduate psychology majors

This study evaluated the reasons 130 undergraduates selected psychology as a major. The most salient reason reported was a strong interest in the subject matter, but the utility of the college degree as a means of preparing for a job or professional education was also important to the students. Of these participants, 73 indicated that at least one of their career goals was doctoral study in clinical or counseling psychology. Their ratings of the favorableness of the job market, salary, job autonomy, and job security exceeded the corresponding ratings of recent recipients of doctoral degrees in psychology. The undergraduates rated that private practice would be the most desirable practice setting, and they predicted ''much'' job autonomy in this setting and above-average job security across practice settings. These results suggest that educators in psychology may have responsibilities to counsel students who aspire to forms of professional practice that are largely unattainable at this time.