This year, UBC Psychology is offering three new opportunities to help undergraduate students discover how psychology can be applied beyond the classroom and academia.
Through career exploration, community-engaged learning, and social justice programs, students can apply psychological principles to address real-world challenges, support local communities, and advance social change globally.
Dr. Sunaina Assanand, a professor of teaching in UBC’s department of psychology, has led the development of these new co-curricular programs with the goal of inspiring students to discover the diverse opportunities available through a bachelor’s degree in psychology.
“These co-curricular programs encourage psychology students to translate their learning into action, build meaningful connections, and envision futures where they can make a positive impact in their professions, communities, and beyond.”
Learn more about these programs:
Through career exploration events and programming, students can connect with alumni and career development professionals to learn about diverse career paths and gain practical insights into how a bachelor’s degree in psychology can translate into meaningful work beyond academia. These events will help students explore their interests, expand their career horizons, and become career-ready graduates.
The first event, Conversations with Alumni: Career Paths with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, takes place on September 28, 2026. Alumni from the public and private sectors, including Netflix, lululemon, the Government of Canada, and a non-profit organization, will take part in a panel discussion followed by networking opportunities. The department is partnering with the Psychology Students’ Association to host this event.
The Scholars in Prison program is offered through the UBC Office of Regional and International Community Engagement’s (ORICE) Global Experiential Education Program (GEEP). ORICE’s experiential education programs help build connections between theory and practice in addressing global issues. Through GEEP, students can participate in experiential education projects designed and led by global community partners.
The Scholars in Prison program is a collaboration between the UBC Human Rights Collective and the international Scholars at Risk Network.
Students in the psychology cohort take part in the broader learning community while working together on a research project that supports advocacy efforts for Scholars at Risk cases. Participants also receive mentorship and guidance from Dr. Sunaina Assanand to help them connect their academic learning to real-world impact.
The deadline to apply is September 13, 2026.
Through UBtheChange, a student-led program through CCEL, psychology students will take their first steps as changemakers during Community Action Days.
During Community Action Days, UBC students and local community organizations collaborate on diverse short-term, community-based projects that respond to a community need.
Participating students will:
- Connect with other passionate peers and community organizations across Metro Vancouver
- Participate in fun and engaging events that support broader social and environmental movements
- Learn about further opportunities to get involved in pressing local and global issues
- Collaborate with and directly impact community organizations that work with diverse populations
- Put learning into practice and develop career skills
Stay tuned for program details!
Whether exploring career options, contributing to community initiatives, or engaging with human rights issues, students will gain valuable experience and a deeper understanding of how psychology can create positive change in the world around them.
“We want students to know that a bachelor's degree in psychology can lead to many meaningful opportunities beyond research and graduate school. These programs will help students explore diverse career pathways, gain hands-on experience, and build the skills needed in a wide range of professions and communities.”
