Organisational Psychologist About

Organizational psychology students learn about human behavior in work settings by examining the social and cognitive factors that influence actions and thoughts. Industrial/organizational psychologists use their understanding of the human psyche to develop effective training programs, resolve workplace disputes, improve employee morale, and boost company performance.

Organizational psychology programs address management, assessment, and statistics, all of which I/O psychologists use to implement beneficial changes and enhance employee relations. Other program topics may include group dynamics, ethics, and talent development. Graduates may find jobs in areas related to consulting, human resources, or counseling.

Organisational Psychologist
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Career Roles & Responsibilities
  • organisational development

  • measuring employee performance

  • developing management strategies

  • researching consumer behaviour and customer satisfaction

  • evaluating workplace safety

  • assisting in recruitment and selection

  • identifying workplace requirements

  • structuring departments and teams

  • providing advice on career development

  • establishing management systems

  • advising companies and agencies on workplace relations

  • researching workplace behaviours

  • develop training programs

  • promoting employee productivity

  • creating programs to help solve problems

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Career Education Path Summary

1. Complete a bachelor's degree and fourth-year studies

Completing a bachelor's degree and fourth-year studies in psychology is usually a necessary step in obtaining your general registration. During a bachelor's program, you may spend three years focusing on different aspects of behavioural science. Studying for a bachelor's degree can help you improve some of your soft and technical skills related to psychology.

For the first three years of your undergraduate degree, you can expect to learn the foundations of human behaviour, language, reasoning and mental health. The fourth year of studies in psychology is where you can gain honours, which is crucial for obtaining your general registration.

2. Complete an internship in psychology

Completing an internship is another typical requirement for obtaining your general registration. Internships can be an excellent way to experience professional psychology and can provide you with advanced knowledge in your role.

Internships typically take two years to complete but may be shorter depending on your previous qualifications and experience. As a psychology intern, you can expect to be responsible for assisting professional psychologists in their daily duties. These duties may include therapy sessions, evaluations and research programs.

3. Complete a master's degree

Completing a master's degree can also help you gain your general registration in psychology. If you complete a six-year master's degree in psychology, you can typically obtain your general registration without further training, such as an internship. Master's degrees can be an excellent way to learn and develop advanced skills in psychological principles.

Master's degrees commonly take one to two years to complete, after earning a bachelor's degree. This means they can take five to six years total. Within the six years of study, you can expect to learn advanced research methods and gain extensive knowledge in behavioural science. Master's degrees can be a great way to experience the specialist roles that might be available as a psychologist, such as an organisational psychologist.

4. Obtain a general registration

Obtaining your general registration in psychology is typically the final step in becoming an organisational psychologist. To gain a general registration, there are usually three different pathways, which are the Higher Degree Pathway, 5+1 Internship Pathway and the 4+2 Internship Pathway. Each method requires a minimum of six years of experience in professional psychology, which includes higher education.

The higher degree pathway requires the completion of a six-year master's degree in psychology. The 5+1 pathway refers to the completion of fifth-year post-graduate studies and one year of a psychology internship. The final pathway is the 4+2 pathway, which requires a four-year honours degree in psychology, followed by a two-year internship. The Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA) is responsible for approving the general registration of organisational psychologists.

5. Apply for an organisational psychologist role

Once you have your general registration in psychology, you can start searching for a career as an organisational psychologist. I/O psychologists can typically find work in large corporations or businesses. You can potentially broaden your job opportunities by furthering your qualifications with training courses and certificates.

A general registration in psychology is essentially proof of your integrity and expertise as a psychologist. You can discuss your general registration in your resume and cover letter. Being prepared for a job interview is an important part of finding work. You can search for organisational psychologist roles online.

  • Human Resources Manager
  • Staffing and Recruiting Manager
  • Behavioral Analyst
  • Workforce Analyst
  • Team Development Trainer or Manager
  • Executive Coach
  • Project Manager
  • Organizational Effectiveness Consultant
  • Policy Officer
  • Market Analyst or Researcher
Similar Careers
Job Title Entry-Level (0-12 Months) Early Career (1-4 Years) Midcareer (5-9 Years) Experienced (10-19 Years)
Career Counselor $40,500 $43,410 $46,890 $49,650
Human Resources Specialist $44,690 $49,510 $54,460 $57,380
Human Resources Manager $50,910 $59,540 $68,210 $72,930
Human Resources Director $54,820 $65,460 $81,990 $94,910
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Career Pros Details
  • A fair number of career opportunities with a masters-level degree
  • Diverse career paths (i.e. private sector, consulting, government, education)
  • Opportunities for self-employment
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Career Cons Details
  • Clients and projects change often
  • Research can often be tedious, and burnout can occur
  • Many positions require doctoral degrees

Communication

Effective communication can help I/O psychologists analyse work environments and conduct evaluations of employees. I/O psychologists can expect to have responsibilities in training employees, which can require effective and clear communication. Practising good communication habits, such as active listening and attending skill workshops, can help to improve your communication.

Empathy

An important duty of an organisational psychologist is to identify problems in the workplace and improve employee well-being. Knowing how employees feel about workplace issues and understanding possible solutions can require a level of empathy. Becoming more self-aware and meeting new people may help you develop your empathy skills.

Organisation

I/O psychologists commonly research and develop more than one strategy at a time. Being organised can potentially assist I/O psychologists in their multitasking capabilities by allowing them to focus more clearly. Creating goals, planning and managing your time can help you become more organised.

Technical writing

Psychologists can often present research findings that may be used to adjust or develop workplace policies. I/O psychologists typically require technical writing skills to present the research in a way that the reader can understand. You can usually improve your writing skills by completing relevant education courses and skill workshops.

Adaptability

Human behaviour can change as the environment changes. Organisational psychologists may adapt their strategies when there is a change in the work environment. Workplace regulations might change over time, which can require an updated management program and strategy. Having new experiences, making mistakes and learning from others can improve your adaptability.

Teamwork

There can be many departments within a business that an I/O psychologist may have responsibilities in. Some of their primary functions are to improve productivity, efficiency and workplace safety. Teamwork can help an organisational psychologist identify and resolve workplace issues, which may improve employee morale. Participating in team sports and developing your communication skills can help to improve your teamwork skills.

Patience

Change within a business, team and organisation might take long periods. An I/O psychologist often has to conduct extensive research that can take time to compile and format. By being patient, I/O psychologists can reduce their potential errors and provide accurate research documents. Becoming organised and reducing stress in your life might help to improve your patience.

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