Basic information you need to know when wanting to become an industrial-organizational psychologist

While other areas of psychology delve into the personality and mental health issues that a particular individual is facing, Industrial and Organizational Psychology (I/O) assesses and improves the dynamics of individuals, groups, and organizations in the workplace. I/O psychologists can recommend strategies to improve organizational structure and human relations. They use their training in psychological principles to create:

• A healthy working environment
• Increase employee satisfaction and organizational commitment
• Training and developing a strong workforce

To become an I/O psychologist in an organization, please refer to the following important information:

1. About Professional knowledge:

This major requires in-depth knowledge of organizational development, attitudes, career development, decision theory, human performance and human factors, consumer behavior, small group theory and processes, criterion theory and representation, jobs and job analysis, and individual assessment. Additionally, a specialization in industrial-organizational psychology requires knowledge of ethical considerations as well as the legal, administrative, procedural, and compliance issues related to workplace activities.

2. Issues that I/O psychologists focus on

The specialty of I/O psychology addresses issues of recruitment, selection and placement, training and development, performance measurement, workplace motivation and reward systems, quality of work life, work structure and human factors, organizational development and consumer behavior.

Industrial-Organizational Psychologists use training in psychological principles to create a healthy work environment, increase employee satisfaction and organizational commitment, and train and develop strong workforces.

3. Scope of work and working position of I/O psychologist

I/O psychologists are scientists who specialize in the design, conduct, and interpretation of psychological research and the application of that knowledge to solving human and organizational problems. The work of I/O psychologists includes:

• Identify training and development needs;
• Design and optimize work, work and quality of work life;
• Develop and implement training programs and evaluate their effectiveness;
• Staff training;
• Develop criteria to evaluate the performance of individuals and organizations;
• Assess customer preferences, customer satisfaction and market strategy etc…

Those who choose to major in industrial-organizational psychology may find themselves working in a variety of fields. The specific focus of I/O is on human behavior in the work environment. Therefore, areas affected by the work of I/O psychologists include individuals who have applied for business, industry, labor, public (including non-profit) organizations, academic institutions, and health and public organizations. They are also qualified as trainers, consultants, assessors, coaches, and consultants. I/O psychologists may also work directly in an organization's human resources department, or they may work as independent consultants, hired by an organization to address a specific issue.

4. Career path

To become an I/O psychologist, you must have a bachelor’s degree in psychology. However, to further specialize in any of these areas, you should continue to take advanced courses or participate in professional practice.

According to the Occupational Outlook Handbook (United States, 2012), the largest employment – and highest-paying – sectors for I/O psychologists are management, scientific and professional consulting services…. Other sectors include scientific and development services and health and educational institutions.

According to the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology's 2012 Income and Employment Survey, the starting salary for an I/O specialist with a master's degree is approximately $65,000 per year, while the starting salary for those with a doctorate is approximately $81,000. University professors earn about $70,000 per year, and those in the private sector earn about $100,000. Overall, the median annual salary is $80,000. Top earners can earn $250,000 or more per year.

Industrial-Organizational Psychology (I/O) is a fairly new major in Vietnam today and not everyone knows about this job… Therefore, the career path with this major also has many thorns. However, with the context of rapid development of psychology in Vietnam, this will certainly be fertile land waiting to be exploited. Pursuing this field, you will become the leading generation on the development journey of organizational and human resource psychologists.

Dai Nam University is proud to be one of the pioneers in Hanoi to open a major in Industrial-Organizational Psychology at the university level. Refer to information about the Industrial-Organizational Psychology major training program of Dai Nam University.

>>> See more: Special features in the Psychology training program of Dai Nam University

Register for admission to the Psychology major of Dai Nam University here: https://xettuyen.dainam.edu.vn/