Professional Development - I/O Psychology and HRM

M.A. Program in Industrial-Organizational Psychology and Human Resource Management

Professional Development

Program faculty offer students opportunities and encouragement to become involved in extra-curricular activities designed to enhance the student's professional development. In particular, students are encouraged to become involved in one or more professional organizations related to their career choice.

Examples of relevant professional organizations include:

Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)
Society for Industrial-Organizational Psychology (SIOP)
North Carolina Industrial/Organizational Psychologists (NCIOP)
Academy of Management (AoM)
American Society for Training and Development (ASTD)

Where do I-O Psychologists work?

A recent (2003) survey of SIOP membership, gathered the following data regarding type of employment held by I-O Psychologists:

Consulting or individual practice: 30.0%
Academic: 34.5%
Public Sector: 5.6%
Private Sector and Unspecified: 30.0%

I-O Psychologists can work in Academic and/or Non-Academic jobs. Some individuals choose to specialize in one or the other side of the field, while others blend the lines and work in both categories.

Academicians can work in College and Universities. Here, their responsibilities can include research, teaching, and community service. The most emphasis is placed on research and teaching. At larger Universities, emphasis is often placed on research. In order to survive in the University climate, professors are expected to publish their research in addition to their teaching responsibilities. At smaller colleges, teaching is often prioritized over research.

In most cases, professors are not strictly academicians; they often have consulting jobs on the side.

Consultants sell specific services to organizations. These practitioners might belong to large consulting firms or conversely they may direct their own single-person private practice.

Salary Information

The SIOP survey also reported the average salaries of the respondents:

Salary by Highest Degree:

Doctorate: $87,714
Master's: $65,000

Salary by Gender:

Male: $92,000
Female: $76,000

Salary by Age (Doctoral degree only):

55+: $110,000
50-54: $112,000
45-49: $100,000
40-44: $89,600
35-39: $80,300
< 35: $70,000

The average reported starting (less than one year on the job) salaries for doctoral holders was $63, 652.

P.O. Box 32109 222 Joyce Lawrence Ln. Boone, NC 28608
I-O/HRM Program Director: Tim Huelsman, Ph.D.
(828) 262-2730 huelsmantj@appstate.edu

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Last updated March 25, 2008