We surveyed and you answered. Graduate school info was highly requested by current Psi Chi members, and we wanted to start the year off strong by hosting faculty presentations on the graduate school process and the specifics of their career fields.
We began the series last Thursday with Dr. Morganson, who you might know from Diversity in the Workplace or Industrial Psychology. Dr. Morganson has a doctorate in Industrial and Organizational Psychology and a Master’s of Science in Experimental Psychology. Her research focuses primarily on work-life balance and gender issues in the workplace.
Dr. Morganson gave a fantastic overview of the grad school application and experience via Zoom. Additionally, she discussed UWF’s Industrial Organization master’s program and why students should consider Industrial Organization as a potential career. Here’s a breakdown of some of the major topics that were discussed.
Grad School Applications
Dr. M emphasized the importance of applying to a handful of programs and doing a great bit of research into potential faculty that a prospective student would like to work with. If the faculty member you apply to work with is not accepting students for the semester you apply, it’s good to have several more options to choose from. Additionally, it’s very important to tour the schools you apply to—you never know which program might be better on paper than in-person.
Another tip: take the GRE as soon as possible. You’ve just spent four years preparing for this exam and waiting too long to rip the band-aid off could rattle your statistics skills or make admissions reviewers question your motives. That being said, if for some reason your GRE score was affected by something going on in your life at the time, your personal statement section can help you out.
The personal statement section is to show the school you are applying to who you are and why you are passionate about their graduate program. Highlight your strengths and accomplishments; this is where you can distinguish yourself from the other applicants and provide some background context on your reason for pursuing a graduate degree. Be careful of inappropriate oversharing—when applying for a clinical graduate program, saying that you “just want to help people” and including your personal trauma might not read as entirely professional or prepared. Check out some more tips here!
Grad School Life
Did you think the undergrad years were tough? Buckle up for grad school; writing and statistics straight ahead!
Dr. Morganson emphasized to us that graduate school is challenging—it’s supposed to be. Any good program will challenge you to grow and move outside of your comfort zone. She also mentioned that many students experience imposter syndrome once they enter the graduate school classrooms. The other students in graduate programs are high performers and the content in classes is far more difficult than most of the classes you took for your bachelor’s program. Fear not—this stage of adjustment is typical, and once you get into the swing of things, you’ll fit right in.
On the bright side, all of your classes will be directly related to your career choice. No more Intro to Biology for Non-Majors and English Comp; now is the time to dig deep into your future field of study. A lot of students find that it’s easier to focus on their studies when it feels much more relevant to their degree program.
I/O Psychology
Let’s first begin by noting that UWF’s I/O graduate program has been recognized as the #2 school in the country for applied experiences in I/O and #5 for overall quality. This list was compiled by SIOP, the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology, which itself is a
division of the American Psychological Association. Go Argos!
Another important piece of information to note: SIOP has identified I/O psychology as one of the fastest growing fields of study with very high average salaries and fantastic job security. For more information, check out SIOP’s breakdown on I/O career paths here.
Dr. Morganson explained that while there are many extrinsic motivators that may drive someone to a career in I/O, there are plenty of intrinsic motivators to be found as well! I/O psychologist actively help everyday people work in safe and inclusive environments. I/O psychologists can research instances of sexual harassment in the workplace and come up with research-based solutions to keep employees safe at work. I/O psychologists might also help a company to develop flextime, a concept that allows employees to choose when they start and stop for the day while retaining the same amount of hours. Flextime is a great way to help young families balance their work and life obligations and can be an important element in retaining diverse workers.
Additionally, I/O psychologists can help companies to diversify their workforce and create policies that lead to inclusion. Mentorship, support groups, and leadership development are all subjects of interest within the field of industrial and organizational psychology that can be researched and analyzed to increase productivity and employee satisfaction. If any of this appeals to you, consider giving I/O a shot! Taking undergraduate courses like Organizational Psychology and Diversity in the Workplace can give you a preview of a career in I/O Psychology that might end up being a perfect fit for your interests!
Future Events
Dr. Morganson gave us a fantastic presentation on graduate school preparation and the I/O career branch. If you missed out last week, we will be having another Zoom presentation with Dr. Rotunda on UWF’s graduate program for counseling psychology and a preview into what being a clinical psychologist is really like. Look out for the Zoom invitation for 4:15 p.m. on September 17th to join!
We also have some great guest lectures coming soon from nationally recognized experts in various fields of psychology, so stay tuned and stay healthy!