I/O Psych -- Internship or Study Abroad?

[ReInvention]

I am currently a junior at a top public college in the Northeast (though it is not very famous outside of this region). My ultimate goal is a PhD in I/O Psych.

Just for some background on me:

I have a 3.9 GPA

Work as a research assistant in a lab conducting research on children's social interactions

Have conducted two semesters of independent research on children's social interactions

Two summers working with special needs children

Leadership position in a mental health awareness organization

Miscellaneous extracurricular activities/honor societies (psych club, Phi Eta Sigma, Golden Key, etc.)

Haven't taken the GRE yet, but had a 1390/2120 SAT.

I am currently committed to studying abroad in Europe during the second semester of my junior year. However, because of the differences in the educational system there my semester is running into mid July. The school I am attending has an EXCELLENT psychology reputation and I will be taking I/O related courses while there.

Essentially, studying abroad = no summer job/internship. I will probably be able to get an internship in the spring of my senior year, but I don't know if I will find out in application season.

Basically, if I apply to I/O programs in the fall of 2011 without any internship experience or I/O relevant work experience, will this hurt me?

I am willing to think about master's degree programs, or simply waiting until the next application cycle (2012). If I wait a year, for I/O psych, would it be better to try to find a full time research position or try to work as an HR intern, etc.?

Thanks in advance.

Edited November 6, 2010 by ReInvention

[alexis]

Based on what I know about I/O programs I really don't see how this will hurt you. Many students go into I/O (both master's and PhD) without any work experience. They are going to care way more about your research experience. There might be a few applied I/O programs that want you to have work experience, but most of the academic ones are going to be more focused on your research. If you do well on the GRE and get good LORs, combined with the profile you presented, I think you have a great shot. I don't think there is a need to wait and work before applying, unless it's something you want to do.

[ReInvention]

Great, thanks for your help! I am definitely interested in more academic focused programs. I know I will have at least one outstanding LOR from my research supervisor, no reason the other two shouldn't be good although they may have to come from professors who know me from class rather than research.

Do you think my research experience is adequate at this moment? By the time I apply next fall I should have three semesters as an RA (not counting the spring of my senior year) as well as two semesters of independent research I designed and conducted myself. None of it is explicitly I/O related (my college has very little foundation in I/O). I probably will not have any publications by then, but I may have my name on a poster at a conference (which I can't attend because of studying abroad). I will be presenting a poster as the first author at my undergraduate institution (but not a real conference).

I just don't want to sink the money and time into applying to 8+ I/O programs when I might be better served by waiting a bit and increasing my research experience. But, if it looks good the way it is, I am also happy to apply in the fall.

Edited November 7, 2010 by ReInvention

[alexis]

While I have to preface this by saying I'm not expert and this is just my opinion, I do think your research experience is more than adequate. While it's not directly related to I/O, it is psych related (and deals with social interactions), and a great deal of the methods/etc are going to be similar to I/O psych. For example, you're probably familiar with APA, SPSS, maybe you have experience with coding, etc. This is awesome! Professors that I know LOVE it when potential PhD students know what research in the I/O area entails. As long as you can relate your research experience to I/O, I think it will be great. And the fact that you will be taking I/O classes will show that you do have some knowledge in that area, even if your research experience isn't directly related. 2 semesters of independent research where you designed & carried out research yourself is awesome; definitely highlight that in your statement of purpose. First author on a poster is also great. The key part is going to be showing how you link that to I/O and how you can be successful performing research in I/O.

It's really your decision whether you decide to apply now or not. I don't think having real-world work experience is really going to make a difference in your application; the only thing that could strengthen it more is to have I/O research experience. But I really don't think that's necessary, I think your application is strong as it is. It may not seem this way now, but it is a long wait between applying & attending a school...if you know what you want now and are competitive now, I say go for it.

Do you know any I/O professors? It might be helpful to talk to one and see what they think--they could offer a much more informed answer than I can.

[ReInvention]

While I have to preface this by saying I'm not expert and this is just my opinion, I do think your research experience is more than adequate. While it's not directly related to I/O, it is psych related (and deals with social interactions), and a great deal of the methods/etc are going to be similar to I/O psych. For example, you're probably familiar with APA, SPSS, maybe you have experience with coding, etc. This is awesome! Professors that I know LOVE it when potential PhD students know what research in the I/O area entails. As long as you can relate your research experience to I/O, I think it will be great. And the fact that you will be taking I/O classes will show that you do have some knowledge in that area, even if your research experience isn't directly related. 2 semesters of independent research where you designed & carried out research yourself is awesome; definitely highlight that in your statement of purpose. First author on a poster is also great. The key part is going to be showing how you link that to I/O and how you can be successful performing research in I/O.

It's really your decision whether you decide to apply now or not. I don't think having real-world work experience is really going to make a difference in your application; the only thing that could strengthen it more is to have I/O research experience. But I really don't think that's necessary, I think your application is strong as it is. It may not seem this way now, but it is a long wait between applying & attending a school...if you know what you want now and are competitive now, I say go for it.

Do you know any I/O professors? It might be helpful to talk to one and see what they think--they could offer a much more informed answer than I can.

Thanks again for your help! Yes, I have talked to the one professor in my psych department who teaches an I/O class, but I do not think I would call her an "I/O professor" because it is not her research interest. I was thinking about maybe contacting one of the professors in the business school, or even another area college for advice?

Do you think if I were to perform well on the GREs and keep my grades up, any top 10 (or whatever, not sure what rankings are/if they matter) programs might be worth applying to? Like UMaryland, UMich, UPenn, GWU, etc.? I know my GPA is probably in the right range and a lot depends on fit, but just want to get a sense of where I stand. Again, thank you so much!

Edited November 9, 2010 by ReInvention

[alexis]

Yes, I would recommend specifically talking to an I/O professor if you can, not just a psychology one (though I find it interesting that the professor who teaches I/O psych isn't from that background at all--it's a pretty big area, not just a "sub-research interest," really a whole different field of psychology, though is related to social). Yeah if there are any OB professors in the business school (management department) they could also be good to get in touch with. Some OB professors have a PhD in I/O psych and the fields are similar enough that they should be able to offer you some good advice.

I really can't say what schools you should apply to or what your chances are based on grades/GREs, but I think it's worth applying to top 10 schools if you want to. FYI UPenn doesn't have an I/O psych program, they have a social psychology program (<--they are not super keen on us "organizational" folks) and an OB track in the business school. But yes, if you do well on your GREs, no reason not to go for it (but make sure to not just apply to top 10 schools and have a range). There have been previous threads on I/O programs, in fact I'm surprised fellow I/O students/applicants haven't chimed in on this thread, maybe they were more active last year. They would know better about programs than me since I'm on the OB/business side, but here is one ranking of programs on SIOP:

http://www.siop.org/tip/backissues/TIPApr02/02gibby.aspx

[iopsych]

Thanks again for your help! Yes, I have talked to the one professor in my psych department who teaches an I/O class, but I do not think I would call her an "I/O professor" because it is not her research interest. I was thinking about maybe contacting one of the professors in the business school, or even another area college for advice?

Do you think if I were to perform well on the GREs and keep my grades up, any top 10 (or whatever, not sure what rankings are/if they matter) programs might be worth applying to? Like UMaryland, UMich, UPenn, GWU, etc.? I know my GPA is probably in the right range and a lot depends on fit, but just want to get a sense of where I stand. Again, thank you so much!

Most of those you named don't have I/O programs, or have smaller ones. The only school that has a big I/O program that you mentioned was Maryland. GW has a smaller program, that last I heard was still very focused on the O side.

Here is a list of the top 10ish schools from my POV, in no particular order. Now others may see it differently, but from what I have seen these are the schools that are the most active research wise and I would say that as long as you get a 1200+ and around a 700 in Quant., you should be fine applying to these schools.

USF

George Mason

Michigan State

Penn State

University of Minnesota

UCF

University of Maryland

Bowling Green

Texas A&M

Portland State

University Illinois

[ReInvention]

Awesome, thanks! I confused Penn State with UPenn and Michigan State with UMichigan, heh.

Just out of curiosity, is anyone aware of which I/O master's programs have a research focus/tend to send students onto doctoral programs?

I know that is a vague question, but it seems like most I/O master's programs I've read about are primarily applied (though that isn't surprising).

Edited November 11, 2010 by ReInvention

[prefers_pencils]

I'm a current I/O master's student in a strongly "applied" program, but I'll be applying to PhDs next fall. I think that a research-focused master's is great, but it isn't necessary - my classmates that did pursue PhDs have gone on to great programs. If you are motivated and take initiative to contact professors and ask to be involved in their projects, you will get the needed experience. If anything, I like that my fellow classmates aren't, for the most part, going to be my competition when I apply.

If you are a psychology major and lack several statistics courses, I would 1) take them if you're able, or 2) consider M.S. programs in quantitative methods or applied statistics. That type of knowledge is hard to find in I/O and would really augment your application.

And definitely study abroad - it was my best semester of college and I wouldn't trade that experience for anything.

Edited November 12, 2010 by arieshine

[ReInvention]

Thanks arieshine! Great to hear the applied master's programs are an option, as I'm from the NYC area and it seems like most local master's programs (Hofstra, NYU) have an applied focus.

I took the required statistics course for my major and earned an A, I also earned an A in the research methods course and I will be taking an advanced research methods course as a senior. I know that will certainly not make me stand out, but I hope it is at least adequate?

I'm a current I/O master's student in a strongly "applied" program, but I'll be applying to PhDs next fall. I think that a research-focused master's is great, but it isn't necessary - my classmates that did pursue PhDs have gone on to great programs. If you are motivated and take initiative to contact professors and ask to be involved in their projects, you will get the needed experience. If anything, I like that my fellow classmates aren't, for the most part, going to be my competition when I apply.

If you are a psychology major and lack several statistics courses, I would 1) take them if you're able, or 2) consider M.S. programs in quantitative methods or applied statistics. That type of knowledge is hard to find in I/O and would really augment your application.

And definitely study abroad - it was my best semester of college and I wouldn't trade that experience for anything.

[prefers_pencils]

Yes, I would agree that it is adequate. Additional statistics courses are considered a bonus, not a requirement.