Business Careers

In the business world, you will utilize your understanding of goals and relationships to drive sales, keep customers happy, and help maximize employee performance.

From sales and marketing to human resources and management, psychology is useful in all aspects of business, because it helps you understand what people truly want. 

Watch the video to learn more, or click on the profiles below to learn about psych majors who have succeeded in all aspects of business.

Business Career Resources

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Learn about successful psychology graduates working in all aspects of business by clicking the links below.

Alumna Sandra Yang

Sandra Yang

Head of strategy for a cyber safety company and founder of Y4 Consulting

How Sandra launched a career in strategy

Jim Hutcheson

Entrepreneur and family business consultant, REGENERATION partners

How Jim got started in family business consulting

Torrie Taj

Entrepreneur and advocate for children 

How Torrie became a CEO

Jamie O'Connell

HR Generalist, Zenreach

How she became an HR Generalist 

Lisa Clark

Entrepreneur

How she became a racecar driver

Emily Reynolds

Talent Strategist, KIPP Foundation

How she became a Talent Strategist

Yolanda Anderson, MS

HR Specialist, ASU Biodesign

How she became an HR Specialist 

Robert Ewing

Marketing Communications Manager,
ASU Department of Psychology

How he became a Marketing Manager

Shobhna Kumar, MBA

Marketing Programs Manager, CenturyLink

How she became a Marketing Programs Manager

Raymond Sweis

Category Manager, General Mills

How he became a Category Manager

Clinton Ang

Managing Director, Cornerstone Wines

How he became a Managing Director

Brooke Todare

Owner, Global Diversity Logistics

How she became a Company Owner

Michelle May, MD

Owner, Am I Hungry?

How she became a Company Owner

Melanie Katzman, PhD

Author, Connect First Founder,
Katzman Consulting

How she became a Company Owner

Interested in a career in business? Check out our resources below.

Sales

Sales representatives match customers with their desired products, negotiate prices and maintain customer relationships. Sales positions are critical to building and maintaining the consumer bases of businesses.

Sales positions exist within every business and include pharmaceutical sales representatives, real estate agents, sales engineers, and insurance agents.

Recommended classes:

  • PSY 350 - Social Psychology
  • PSY 482 - Social Influence and Consumer Behavior
  • PSY 461 - Interpersonal Influence

Recommended skills:

  • Strong communication abilities
  • Knowledge of Customer Relationship Management Software (e.g. HubSpot CRM or Salesforce CRM)

Marketing

Marketing specialists convey the benefits of a company’s products and services to potential customers.

Marketing positions exist within every business and include market analysts, promotions directors, public relations directors, and advertising managers. 

Recommended classes:

Recommended skills:

  • Design abilities
  • Strong writing skills
  • Ability to analyze data 
  • Knowledge of analytic systems like Google Analytics that will allow you to track advertising and networking sites

Finance/Accounting

Within a business, the finance department keeps track of spending and earnings to keep companies profitable. 

Recommended classes:

  • PSY 230 - Introduction to Statistics
  • PSY 482 - Social Influence and Consumer Behavior
  • ECN 211 - Macroeconomic Principles
  • ECN 212 - Microeconomic Principles 
  • ECN 315 - Money & Banking

Recommended skills:

  • Understanding of  bookkeeping software such as Excel and Quickbooks
  • Knowledge of local tax laws and payroll policies
  • Strong organizational skills

Human Resources (HR)

Human resource teams help employees work together effectively. 

In HR your tasks could include recruitment, training, resolving workplace conflict, and helping workers with questions about employee benefits.

Recommended classes:

  • PSY 320 - Learning and Motivation
  • PSY 440 - Industrial/Organizational Psychology
  • PSY 453 - Organizational Behavior
  • PSY 350 - Social Psychology
  • PSY 370 - Interpersonal Relationships

Recommended skills:

  • Strong communication skills
  • Understanding of how to foster teamwork

Management

Managers help coordinate employees to ensure projects and departments run smoothly and efficiently. Management positions exist within most teams in a business, and managers often have in-depth experience with the work their team performs.

Recommended classes:

  • PSY 453 - Organizational Behavior
  • PSY 350 - Social Psychology
  • PSY 304 - Effective Thinking
  • PSY 315 - Personality Theory and Research
  • PSY 370 - Interpersonal Relationships

Recommended skills:

  • Strong leadership skills
  • Communication skills
  • Time management
  • Knowledge of management software such as Workforce, Teamwork, and Excel

Business Ownership

To be a successful business owner, you will need to have a strong understanding of sales, marketing, finance, human resources, management and the products and services your company provides.

Recommended classes:

Recommended skills:

  • Strong leadership skills
  • Communication skills
  • Time management
  • Understanding of customer needs

Interested in finding an internship or mentor? Fill out the form below.

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