Industrial-Organizational Psychologist

What an Industrial-Organizational Psychologist Does

These professionals apply psychological principles and research methods to the workplace. The purpose of this can be two-fold. On one hand, it serves to improve the quality of the working environment and the happiness of employees. On the other, it also helps motivate workers and improve productivity. There are several different specialties involved with industrial-organizational psychology. Some may choose to focus on analyzing and training employees, while others will want to evaluate potential hires to the company to determine their suitability, while others will be interested in improving workspace flow and productivity. This field offers professionals a chance to work both on solving smaller, more practical problems within one company as well as conducting research on management methods and practices that can help companies all over improve their business. While some industrial-organizational psychologists might work for just one company, the majority are consultants who work to help a wide variety of corporations and businesses.

How to Become an Industrial-Organizational Psychologist

Your career as an industrial-organizational psychologist will begin at the undergraduate level. Students will need to enroll in a bachelor's degree program in psychology, though minoring in business or management can also be an asset later on. Unlike many other careers in psychology, work in industrial-organizational psychology doesn’t require a PhD and in many cases a master's degree will be enough to get the vast majority of jobs. Of course, a doctoral degree will not hurt your chances for employment should you choose to pursue one. Students hoping to enter this field should plan ahead to attend graduate school and complete the necessary applications and testing ahead of time. After graduation, students will need to see out certification and licensing from the state or psychological associations. The requirements for this can vary, so individuals will need to do their research ahead of time in order to know how to plan out their careers and business endeavors.

Career Outlook for Industrial-Organizational Psychologists

This field is perhaps the most-demand for any specialization in psychology. Some suggest that it might be due to the poor economy and businesses looking for ways to do more with less, motivate employees and increase job retention. This growth is also fueled by an increasingly more diverse workplace and the need to adapt to new cultures, business practices and anti-discrimination laws. It also has the advantage over many other careers in psychology in that it requires less training, meaning individuals can join the workforce more quickly. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that this field will grow about 26 percent over the coming decade, raising the number of individuals employed in it from 2,300 to 2,900. Like many fields, additional training including doctoral studies may help you find work and get sought-after positions. Since most work is done on a contractual, episodic basis, courses in business management and entrepreneurship can be a big asset to industrial-organizational psychologists.