I-O Psychology career path...

[sfcmeador]

Greetings everyone. I am considering applying to Colorado State for their M.S IO psychology program. I am just wondering if my background will help or hurt when it comes to marketing myself in the future. I have an atypical background being that I have been a Police Officer for 15 years and also an Army reserve veteran of 15 years. I am currently a law enforcement training officer for the Ohio Attorney Generals office. I have a BA in Public Safety Management and will complete a M.S in Criminal justice specializing in behavior analysis. I'm considering a career change and I would love to break into the IO field. Are there any IO professionals out there that could offer their opinion on #1 will my background be favorable or unfavorable #2 what is the best way to break into the field.

Thanks in advance!

Jim

[BeingThere]

Hi Jim,

 

I'm not a professional in the field, but in my academic preparation I've done a bit of research into it and I don't see how your background could possibly hurt you.

 

I will say that if I were you, I would seriously try to attend a brick and mortar institution for your degree because that is where you're going to make contacts in the field, as well as get possible internships or practicum experience.

 

Best of luck to you!

Edited January 20, 2014 by Bren2014

[sfcmeador]

Unfortunately I have a full time carrer and children, so brick and moratar are out of the question for me...

 

Thanks for the response though!

[I/O The Derry-O]

Hi Jim -

 

I am also a graduate student chiming in. I am by no means seasoned, but I do have a little bit of professional experience working for New York State Dept. of Labor. Are you asking if your background is favorable for admissions to an I/O grad program? Or favorable for breaking into the field?

 

If you're asking about admissions, I would say that your unique background definitely distinguishes you from other candidates who are applying. The fact that you are working in a training role shows that you have experience in a relevant area of I/O (even if not in a clear I/O role). People end up going into I/O for different reasons. If you can provide a strong personal statement that describes what has been this catalyst for you, I think admissions committees will look favorably upon it. I would imagine that most I/O graduate programs will also want you to have taken specific psychology courses to gain admission, so I would look into those requirements if I were you (not sure if you have already through your other studies). 

 

In terms of breaking into the field, Bren2014 "hit the nail on the head" when she said that making contacts and gaining experience through internships or practicum is the best route for this. I/O is a small world so I think that it is important to not only to "be nice" to others in the field, but you should also take a learner orientation and be open to doing anything that will get you experience - no matter how mundane it may seem or if it is unpaid. 

 

Good luck!

Edited January 21, 2014 by I/O The Derry-O

[BeingThere]

Greetings everyone. I am considering applying to Colorado State for their M.S IO psychology program. I am just wondering if my background will help or hurt when it comes to marketing myself in the future. I have an atypical background being that I have been a Police Officer for 15 years and also an Army reserve veteran of 15 years. I am currently a law enforcement training officer for the Ohio Attorney Generals office. I have a BA in Public Safety Management and will complete a M.S in Criminal justice specializing in behavior analysis. I'm considering a career change and I would love to break into the IO field. Are there any IO professionals out there that could offer their opinion on #1 will my background be favorable or unfavorable #2 what is the best way to break into the field.

Thanks in advance!

Jim

 

 

You may already know about the SIOP (Society for Industrial Organizational Psychology) website, but check out www.siop.org.  You may find some good information there about getting into the field, along with other resources.  Best of luck to you!