What can you do with a Industrial and Organizational Psychology degree?

First, some facts. Of the Industrial and Organizational Psychology graduates we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:

These are estimates based on AI analysis of 170 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 59%, Industrial and Organizational Psychology graduates have a lower likelihood (-8%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.

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Also, after graduating, only 29% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests a Bachelors degree is enough for most Industrial and Organizational Psychology graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.

See the details:

• What jobs can you get with a Industrial and Organizational Psychology degree?
• What do Industrial and Organizational Psychology graduates do 1, 5 or 10 years out?
• How hard is a Industrial and Organizational Psychology degree? How long does it take?
• How much money can you make with a Industrial and Organizational Psychology degree?
• What are the best colleges for Industrial and Organizational Psychology?

View a random Industrial and Organizational Psychology graduate and our analysis:

Relevance score: 33% We think this person has NOT gone into a career related to their degree. DEGREE INFO Graduated in 2014 from MiraCosta College with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Industrial and Organizational Psychology. No other secondary education since. JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION Customer Service Team Lead Nortek Control Feb 2016 - Feb 2020 As a Customer Service Team Lead at Nortek Control, some skills from Industrial and Organizational Psychology, such as understanding team dynamics, may be useful, but the core qualifications of the role primarily focus on customer relations and management rather than psychology. Customer Service Supervisor Nortek Control Mar 2020 - Dec 2021 The role of Customer Service Supervisor at Nortek Control likely involves managing people and processes, which could indirectly benefit from principles of Industrial and Organizational Psychology, but it does not require them as core qualifications. Data Process Manager CheckPoint Solutions Oct 2021 - Present The position of Data Process Manager at CheckPoint Solutions is primarily focused on data handling and management tasks, which do not draw upon the specific knowledge and skills associated with Industrial and Organizational Psychology. ABOUT No information provided.

What jobs can you get with a Industrial and Organizational Psychology degree?

The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:

• Recruiter
• Human Resources Intern
• Human Resources Coordinator
• Research Assistant
• Administrative Assistant
• Human Resources Assistant
• Human Resources Specialist
• Assistant Property Manager
• Intern
• Customer Service Representative

Analyzing the diverse career paths of individuals who have graduated with degrees in Industrial and Organizational Psychology (I/O Psychology), we can see a wide range of job roles, some of which are closely aligned with their academic background, while others veer off course. The most prevalent types of jobs among these graduates tend to be in Human Resources (HR) and recruitment-focused positions, such as HR Generalist, Talent Acquisition Specialist, and various roles that emphasize employee management and organizational behavior. These positions leverage core principles of I/O Psychology, focusing on understanding and improving how individuals interact within organizations, which aligns with the educational foundation provided by their degree.

On the other hand, many graduates also find themselves in roles that are less directly connected to I/O Psychology. Jobs like project management, administrative positions, and customer service roles feature prominently but often lack the psychological focus that defines the I/O discipline. These positions typically require skills in organization and interpersonal communication but do not consistently necessitate the application of psychological principles. For instance, roles such as Administrative Assistant or Sales Manager, while they may involve some understanding of team dynamics and customer relationships, are more about operational efficiency and sales strategies rather than the deeper psychological insights that I/O Psychology aims to cultivate. Moreover, certain graduates end up in fields like logistics, marketing, and even technical roles, which further indicates a trend of diversification away from the core applications of their degree.

Overall, while many jobs undertaken by these graduates relate to the foundational concepts of Industrial and Organizational Psychology, a significant portion of them venture into roles where the connection to their academic training may not be overtly evident. This trend highlights a broader reality in the job market, where the skills acquired through an I/O Psychology degree—like understanding human behavior, improving workplace culture, and facilitating organizational change—can be valuable across various sectors, even in roles that do not directly apply these concepts daily. Thus, while graduates often find work that aligns with their education, the range of positions they occupy underscores the versatility of their degree in meeting diverse professional demands.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Industrial and Organizational Psychology graduates:

What kind of career trajectories do Industrial and Organizational Psychology graduates have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

Analyzing the career trajectories of graduates in Industrial and Organizational Psychology reveals a multifaceted pattern that varies greatly among individuals. When looking at their paths, you can see that many started their careers in roles closely aligned with their field of study, especially in Human Resources or related positions. For example, several graduates took on job titles such as HR Generalist, HR Associate, or even Employee Relations Advisor right after completing their degrees. This suggests that a significant portion of these graduates find their footing in areas where they can apply their knowledge of psychological principles to organizational settings, which is a promising start for someone aiming to make an impact in this field.

However, when you extend the timeline to five or ten years later, the picture begins to diversify. Some graduates do move up in the HR domain, taking on greater responsibilities and holding titles like HR Manager or even Director of HR. This progression illustrates that there are opportunities for growth and advancement for those who remain in roles that leverage their educational background. Yet, there are also notable instances where graduates drift away from traditional I/O roles. Many end up in jobs that seem only tangentially related or even completely outside the realm of Industrial and Organizational Psychology, such as Sales Manager or Customer Service roles. This fluctuation raises questions about job satisfaction, relevance, and whether their initial career goals evolved over time.

In summary, while many graduates of Industrial and Organizational Psychology embark on reasonable career paths immediately following their studies, the long-term journeys are filled with diverse experiences. Some continue to thrive in roles supported by their academic training, while others veer off into different sectors. Whether this indicates a failure to fit into their original plans or a broader definition of success is up for debate, but it’s clear that these graduates navigate a wide array of career opportunities as they progress through their professional lives.

How hard is a Industrial and Organizational Psychology degree?

Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial and Organizational Psychology can be a mix of both challenging and manageable, depending on your strengths and interests. If you're into psychology and enjoy understanding how people think and behave in the workplace, it can feel pretty engaging. You'll cover topics like research methods, statistics, and the basics of human behavior, which can be a bit tough if math isn't your strong suit. But if you’re curious and willing to put in the effort, it’s definitely doable. Overall, I’d say it’s about average in difficulty compared to other degrees, so don’t stress too much about it!

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Industrial and Organizational Psychology.

Do Industrial and Organizational Psychology graduates tend to make good money?

Looking at the job histories of these Industrial and Organizational Psychology graduates, it's clear that some of them have been able to snag some decent positions that likely pay relatively well, while others seem to be navigating a bit more of a winding road. For instance, graduates working at companies like Amazon, Facebook, and PepsiCo are likely pulling in solid salaries, especially if they're in management or specialized roles. Their positions suggest a level of success that generally correlates with higher income brackets, particularly in high-demand industries like tech and corporate management.

On the flip side, several graduates have taken on roles that might not promise the same financial benefits, like administrative or assistant positions which often come with lower pay. While these roles are essential for gaining experience, they're usually less lucrative compared to positions in management or specialized human resources fields. Overall, it looks like the income potential varies significantly based on the specific companies and roles these grads have pursued after graduation. Some are definitely on paths towards financial stability, while others may still be at the starting line in terms of earnings.

What buzzwords do Industrial and Organizational Psychology graduates use to describe themselves?

Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Industrial and Organizational Psychology. This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Industrial and Organizational Psychology?

Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Industrial and Organizational Psychology (ordered by the average relevance score of their Industrial and Organizational Psychology graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates: