Use your psychology degree to coach performance and leadership

The human mind and body are capable of amazing things.

But sometimes a lack of confidence or cognitive challenges get in the way, and our greatest capabilities are never fully explored. That’s where psychology comes in.

Psychologists who understand performance and leadership have the ability to coach others to help them realize their full potential. With a deep knowledge of how the mind works and how human behavior shapes interactions, they understand what motivates individuals, groups, and teams to achieve success. Their skills are beneficial in sports, business, and social/human services settings. Here are some common positions in the field of leadership and performance development:

Business-focused leadership

What psychologists in this area do: Improve performance, motivation, and company morale. Apply psychological best practices to drive productivity and enhance employee satisfaction.

Related job titles to explore*:

• AI ethics interns
• Assessment managers
• Behavioral scientists
• Consultants
• Experience specialists
• Global recruiters
• Heads of customer experience
• Organizational development managers
• Organizational effectiveness consultants
• Organizational effectiveness managers
• Organizational managers
• People analytics analysts
• Program coordinators
• Program managers
• Sales effectiveness managers

Related employment settings:

• Administrative management and general management consulting services
• Colleges, universities and professional schools
• Employment placement agencies
• Executive and legislative offices, combined
• General medical and surgical hospitals
• Research and development in the physical, engineering and life sciences (except nanotechnology and biotechnology)

Degrees to explore:

• Master of Science in Psychology, Industrial/Organizational Psychology Specialization
  
• PhD in Psychology, Industrial/Organizational Psychology Specialization

Sport-focused Leadership

What psychologists in this area do: Provide motivation and build confidence for clients who seek to reach peak performance or restore performance post-injury. Guide individuals through challenges associated with sports, physical therapy, or even business ventures.

Related job titles to explore*:

• Adjunct psychology instructors
• Assistant professors of exercise science
• Assistant professors of kinesiology
• Assistant professors of psychology
• Assistant professors of sport management
• Associate professors of psychology
• Faculty lecturers
• Open rank tenure track faculties
• Performance coaches
• Psychology adjunct faculties
• Psychology faculties

Related employment settings:

• Colleges, universities and professional schools
• Junior colleges
• Sports teams and clubs

Degree to explore:

• Master of Science in Psychology, Sport Psychology Specialization

Social/Human Services-focused leadership

What psychologists in this area do: Lead, collaborate, and advocate to find solutions to human problems and support meaningful change for people, organizations, and communities.

Related job titles to explore*:

• Family advocate
  
• Learning center manager
• Psychiatric assistant
• Rehabilitation supervisor
• Social services supervisor
• Adjunct, part- time or full-time faculty
• Program director

Related employment settings:

• Social service agencies
  
• College/university
• Federal, state, and county government

Degrees to explore:

• PhD in Psychology, Industrial/Organizational Psychology Specialization

Interested in working in leadership and performance enhancement? Learn more about online psychology degree programs.

*These are examples intended to serve as a general guide. Some positions may prefer or even require previous experience, licensure, certifications, and/or other designations along with a degree. Because many factors determine what position an individual may attain, Capella cannot guarantee that a graduate will secure any specific job title, a promotion, salary increase, or other career outcome. We encourage you to research requirements for your job target and career goals.