Nicole12108

Hi everyone, Up until very recently, I was on a direct path working steadily towards applying to Clinical Psychology Ph.D. programs. I have a B.A. in Psychology from a well-respected college with TONS of relevant research experience (including a senior thesis). I've gained additional full-time working experience as a Research Assistant in Clinical Psych. and have realized that this isn't what I really want. I'm significantly more interested in the intersection of Business and Psychology and dream of owning a consulting company. I've been researching I/0 Psychology and Organizational Behavior programs and this is where I'm getting stuck. Here are my questions: 1. To work in an applied I/O setting, do I need a M.A. or a Ph.D. in I/0 Psych? 2. Is there a viable market for these services? What is the job market like for an Industrial/Organizational Psychologist? As I look around, I know MANY people with degrees in a topic they're passionate about (history, forensic psychology) that cannot find jobs. I've been told that I/0 degrees are not marketable and the best alternative is a MBA with a concentration in Organizational Behavior. 3. What type of work experience (other than research) makes an individual a stronger applicant to an I/O program? This is what I have so far.. 1 year at the Ritz-Carlton as a Front Desk agent (basically supervising the daily operations of three different departments) 1 year as a staffing consultant (aka recruiter) in a staffing agency and 2 years of clinical research experience in a prestigious lab 4. What is the average age of most I/O graduate students? Do a lot of students come in with previous work experience? 5. How does I/O differ from Organizational Behavior? Do OB graduates work alongside I/O professionals? I'm a bit landlocked at the moment (boyfriend is in graduate school) and there are 3-4 Organizational Behavior programs in the area at top 5 schools, but not a single I/0 program. Thank you in advance to anyone who replies!