Industrial Organization Psychologist: The Profession Revealed

Industrial Organizational Psychology (I/O psychology) is a sub-field of psychology that focuses on human behaviors in the workplace.  Management procedures and employee policies, according to I/O psychologists, are social factors that affect an individual’s behavioral patterns.  How employees are selected, evaluated and promoted are all aspects that concern I/O psychologists.  I/O psychology is particularly focused on all work-related problems and concerns faced by an employee.  Professionals in this field have a firm understanding of group behavior, organizational management, industrial evaluation and social cognition.

What Do I/O Psychologists Do On A Regular Basis?

At its root, the role of the I/O psychologist is to effectively uphold and advance productive employee attitudes and behaviors, as well as design proper procedures for the hiring, evaluating and promoting of employees. I/O psychologists are usually hired by companies to work with their HR departments in the construction or reevaluation of organizational polices.

Many I/O psychologists are hired by companies in order to head up their hiring practices and training procedures. To begin this process, I/O psychologists will, most likely, be asked to sit in on a series of meetings in order to gain a better understanding of how a company functions within its individual branches and as whole.  This position requires candidates to engage in the brainstorming and development of management policies, as well as to serve as the main presenters in training sessions or seminars.  Therefore, I/O professionals need to be able to work in both large groups and one-on-one sessions.  On certain occasions, I/O professionals may be asked to gather relevant information about a certain topic, such as sexual harassment or stress management, and compile the information into packets for company-wide distribution. 

What Skills Do I Need To Be A Successful I/O Psychologist?

Note the following list of attributes if you are considering a career in I/O psychology.

• Exceptional communication skills
• Ability to understand and evaluate large and small-scale companies and their various parts
• Comprehensive understanding of Industrial Organization and Management Methods
• Strong critical thinking skills
• Ability to make constructive and beneficial decisions for the greater good of the company’s employees, management and owners
• Computer technology aptitude
• Ability to work independently or with an established company
• DiversekKnowledge of structural, leadership and management strategies (established, experimental, wide-scale and specialized)

What Else Do I Need to Know?

I/O psychology, as a field, is a relatively new subfield of psychology. As companies and businesses began to concern themselves more with equal pay, affirmative action, and job satisfaction, the field grew rapidly both in study and employment opportunities. I/O psychologists find themselves constantly facing new challenges as the field continues to grow.

Job options and flexibility are major assets of the I/O psychology arena.  Professionals can work in a consulting firm, take a position in a Human Resources department, move up to a management position, or become self-employed.  In each case, the work standards are different.  If working for a consulting company, you will constantly find yourself facing new settings and experiences.  Management positions, while extremely competitive, enjoy the greatest salary rates.  Meanwhile, human resources employees are always in high demand.  Self-employment brings its own benefits, which include flexible hours, select clients and the ability to outline job responsibilities.

The Financial Aspects of the I/O Psychology Field

Pay rates for professionals in I/O Psychology are highly dependent on academic degree level. Therefore, the following breakdown categorizes the average pay range of I/O psychology professionals by degree level.

These figures are dependent upon several factors and usually increase with additional certification and specialization. 

Career Outlook

Fortunately, I/O psychology is a field with ample growing potential and constant employment needs.  Whether new or established, companies are continuously searching for ways to improve productivity in the workplace. In fact, large corporations’ new focus on team-building and job satisfaction has added a substantial boost to the I/O psychology field.  According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, professionals in this field—whether part of a consulting firm or self-employed—will enjoy an increase in job opportunities in the coming years.