The workplace of today is quickly changing. The young generation is now starting their careers. Additionally, technology is quickly altering where individuals work as well as how they interact and communicate. Employers need experts who can assist them in meeting the varied demands of a multigenerational and multicultural workforce. Organizations want leaders who can create and manage effective and efficient procedures. Industrial-organizational psychology is frequently a basis for people who have the expertise and abilities to manage these difficulties.
Industrial-organizational (I/O) psychology is defined as the study and improvement of human behaviours within teams, organizations, and the workplace. Workplace reward and incentive systems, total job satisfaction, work structure and human factors, organizational growth, and consumer behaviour are all included. Industrial-organizational psychologists do not practice as therapists. They do not assist only in resolving the mental health or social issues of employees, their goal, in general, is to assist individuals and businesses in developing sustainable practices. The study of workplace behaviour is the focus of I/O psychology.
The breadth and depth of opportunities in industrial-organizational psychology may amaze you. Here are just a few of the many reasons why you should choose a career in this fascinating industry.
Some reasons to choose a career in industrial-organizational psychology include:
- You get to assist others.
- You may find a job in almost any industry
- You can locate a job that matches your talents and skills.
- Excellent Compensation packages.
What skills are required for an Industrial psychologist?
A career in industrial-organizational psychology involves many skills, including analytical thinking, problem-solving, communication, teamwork, and leadership. To be successful, you’ll need to be good at multitasking and have strong organizational skills. You should also be able to think critically and write effectively. Some of the other skills are as follows:
Communication skills: Communication skills that can build relations with management and employees are crucial for this job. This is crucial for getting things done and also since the job primarily involves other people, the need to communicate effectively is paramount.
Empathy: This is a people-oriented job and the tasks involved require a high degree of empathy for the people. You may initially discover that it can be very energy-draining to do the job as logic alone will not be enough, a good dose of intuition and emotional intelligence are requisite for the job.
Decision-making ability: The Industrial psychology practitioner has to have good decision-making skills. Ability to gather, analyse and make a decision based on data as well as a strong ability to evaluate human behaviour are the key skills that support decision-making.
Analytical skills- The Industrial psychologist needs to have an analytical ability so that the various data collected as well as problem-solving from the findings for the research. The assessments and reports have to be analysed to support decision-making.
What degrees are needed to become an industrial psychologist?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the requirements for an industrial psychologist will vary depending on the specific program you choose. However, a master’s degree is highly preferable if you want to go far in this field. Master’s programs and PhDs are necessary to be considered an expert in the field and for research-related roles.
Where are industrial psychologists needed?
All industries need industrial psychologists. These can include:
- Manufacturing
- Healthcare
- Retail
- Service industries
- Technology companies
Where there are humans associated with any organization, an industrial psychologist is required. The issues about organizational behaviour, employee relations and culture can be tackled by expert Industrial psychologists.
Speciality areas in Industrial Psychology
Consulting comprises most of the available Industrial psychology jobs, but there are other jobs as well that you possibly may not know. These are upcoming specialities where an industrial psychologist is increasingly needed. These speciality areas compromise human and computer interactions, AI development, user experience assessment etc. The future holds a lot of opportunities for a skilled industrial psychologist.
What jobs can one do after a degree in Industrial Organizational psychology?
Some of the jobs you can do after Industrial Organizational psychology are:
- Consultant
- Human resources manager
- Training and development specialist
- Business analyst
- Labour Relations
- Employee testing and assessment expert
- Behaviour analyst
- Talent manager
- OD manager
- Research Analyst
If this is your area of interest look for top Universities where you can be under the guidance of industry experts and obtain a recognized degree. At Westford, we offer the BSc (Hons) in Psychology with Human Resource Management in partnership with Liverpool John Moores University, UK which will equip students with the skills and knowledge that will enable them to apply psychological principles within the business world. Similarly, Westford also offers the MBA in Human Resource and Organizational Psychology in partnership with UCAM, Spain, providing students with innovative and effective talent management techniques and will assist them in learning and recognizing the key aspects driving organizational behaviour and performance.
To know more, get in touch with us today!
