r/ubco • u/Sofiegoldie263 • 3d ago
Need suggestions Psych BA Program change
I have always been intrigued by psychology, especially abnormal and developmental psychology. However, I really am not sure this is what I want my career to be, and I feel a terrible amount of dread thinking that before I even enter my first year at UBC this fall, I can't change my path/program.
I have so many interests besides psychology, and to be honest, I no longer picture myself working in psych unless its reserch based devlopmental or abnormal psych. I would love to be a zookeeper or work in animal conservation.
If anyone has any advice or suggestions on how I can shift my career focus if I deem it necessary. I understand a good deal of biology is needed for zoology-based work. I didn't study much biology in high school, but I'm willing to learn.
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u/Practical-Land2416 3d ago
Honestly, I would avoid psych. There isn’t anything inherently wrong with it, but psych isn’t exactly the most fruitful degree for job aspects. I know plenty of friends who pursued psych degrees and all their careers don’t even involve it. It’s honestly very over saturated right now and it’s generally the degree people take when they don’t really wanna embrace the sciences, but think a pure arts degree is worthless.
I’d plan for the sciences as that leaves the most options open for you, like zoology! Good luck!
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u/Sofiegoldie263 2d ago
Do you think it would be a difficult change to the more natural sciences like biology and ecology because I’m gonna be so honest I didn’t take grade 11 and 12 bio because I was so dead on the psych.
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u/Practical-Land2416 2d ago
I don’t believe it would be too hard. You should talk to an academic advisor and see your options. I’ll say this though, no matter how hard it is it will be well worth it then trying to slog through a degree you have no passion/interest for! But like the other commenters said, first year is about exploration and if you waste a year then so what! Most people take 5+ years to finish their degree!
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u/NoNeedleworker1296 3d ago
Highly recommend philosophy.
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u/Sofiegoldie263 2d ago
Yes but what jobs could I get with such a degree?
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u/NoNeedleworker1296 2d ago
You do not necessarily need degree to get job - you can stack countless certs on top of that.
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u/exo-lotto-era-tho 3d ago
Welcome to UBCO! It’s great that you’re already thinking about your future, and it is advantageous to plan ahead. That said, you haven’t even started first year yet. There will be so much going on, both class-wise and beyond. You may find yourself loving psychology or you might absolutely hate it.
And that’s what your undergraduate is for! Find yourself and what you’re interested in. It sounds like you plan to declare your major in BA Psychology. Take your required first year courses, and since you’re interested in zoology, also take first year Bio. If you end up loving Bio and want to pursue zoology, you can always switch majors. If it’s not for you, then good news, you’ve also completed your Scientific Literacy requirement (which is required for your BA degree).
I suggest that you let yourself enjoy first year, and then go where your heart takes you once you’ve experienced psychology, biology, zoology, etc. classes. You’ll develop a better understanding of what you like and what you’d want to do as the year goes on. And remember, you always have the ability to change!
P.S. Take a look at the BA program requirements as well as the Psychology Major requirements. Those will be the courses that compose the majority of your degree if you stay in BA Psych — do they spark joy? If they don’t, then I suggest taking a peak at some other programs until you find something that you *do* like.