Which Job Should I Pursue After Graduating: A Psychologist/Therapist or Opening My Own Cupcake Shop>?

Forget the cupcakes, that is a fad and will soon go out of fashion concentrate on something a lot more long term

i think you should go into psychology and see how you like it! if you like it create a website where people can order your baking online and then ship it to them. its low cost and you get to do both!!

For starters, what level is your psych degree in? If it is anything less than a Masters degree, you have years of study in front of you before you can practice. If it is a maters or higher, you need to get a lot of field experience before you will be making the big bucks, which psychologists or therapists can do if they have the right additional qualifications or certifications. That is a career path with a lot of training and schooling - at least 7 years from HS graduation, without summer breaks. As far as opening a cupcake shop, that will take a significant amount of startup capital. One problem with cupcakeries is that they are popular right now and the market is VERY competitive. Maybe think about another area of baking or general bakery services. You can get a degree in baking, you know. Culinary schools offer up to masters degrees in baking management including food making, marketing, management and business strategies. These are often great programs with placement options upon graduation to get you the practical experience you need to a) be taken seriously b) start your own business. As far as long term finances - Psych could see you clearing over $100k if you get the highest level of education and pursue your field. Small business owning can be a financial roller coaster. Expect to be broke for the first 5-10 years, pouring everything back into the business. However, you will be your own boss. It all depends on the success of your business, and in this case, how good your cupcakes are and how well you market yourself. MOST IMPORTANT - do what is going to make you happy. Also realize that most adults change careers (not job, but career) 3-4 times in their life these days. What you study may end up have nothing to do with what you end up doing.

When you asked this, were you hoping that one option would get the most votes? If so, that one is what you really, really want to do. The other is just another possibility. My thoughts: Opening your own shop would be costly, and time consuming. You will need a lot of money behind you first, in order to start it up. And then, it might not even set off. You will need to hire staff to help you, as one person alone cannot run/cook/serve in a shop. Psychologist/Therapist will need further education and a degree, in order to get into top jobs and businesses. It may be harder to get into, or it may be easy. I guess it depends on where you are and the time you try. This would be costly, but only for your education. Of course, you get loans for university, and only have to pay once earning £21,000... So that shouldn't put you off it. Both job options will take time to get started, but I think the Psychologist/Therapist is a more stable job. You will most likely earn more, and you shouldn't lose money at all. Your own business may never completely set off, and you could end up losing money and wasting the time.