They are, in certain schools. You can major in communication, with a specialty in Startegic comm.
Yeah, for real. I have an MA in I/O psych that taught me so much about stats, tests and measurements, and research methods.
Yeah, for real. I have an MA in I/O psych that taught me so much about stats, tests and measurements, and research methods.
I learned more about performing research during my MA schooling than when I was getting my PhD in Org Sciece (an interdisciplinary PhD program), and that took me 6 years to complet (compared to 2 for the MA).
Yeah, everybody I work with, in various jobs, all have at least a Master’s Degree. Just having a BA is like a high school diploma nowadays, or at least that’s the case in my profession (UX research). Matter of fact, just having a master’s is kinda looked down upon. I don’t know what it’s like in other fields, but everybody I work with is highly educated. Like, the average person is very impressed that I have a PhD, but I’m like, it’s not really that impressive, as most of the people I know, professionally, have a PhD.
Yeah, everybody I work with, in various jobs, all have at least a Master’s Degree. Just having a BA is like a high school diploma nowadays, or at least that’s the case in my profession (UX research). Matter of fact, just having a master’s is kinda looked down upon. I don’t know what it’s like in other fields, but everybody I work with is highly educated. Like, the average person is very impressed that I have a PhD, but I’m like, it’s not really that impressive, as most of the people I know, professionally, have a PhD.
So, take that with a grain of sand. It is probably different elsewhere.
Anyway, I/O psych. So you can go in 2 routes, either HR or organizational behavior. I/O is basically the study of groups in an organizational setting. You can focus on HR, where it’s all about job placement and tests and measurements. You become an expert in measuring performance correctly and placing employee in the right role, given their skills.
On the other hand, you can focus on behavior. Typically you would be a consultant that trains people in a particular skill. Or, you can be brought in and be tasked with improving the culture and group dynamics.
I find HR boring as hell, but a lot of my former classmates are HR professionals and easily make 6 figures a year across the board
I find group dynamics and training to be more enjoyable, so I focused on consulting, which lead to UX research, as I have a strong background in research methods.
I will say this though, I/O psych is not a “fun” degree or field. You have to take a lot of stats and research methods classes and have to be good at public speaking. Now, the money makes it worthwhile, but I wouldn’t say it’s a “fulfilling” career. I’d suggest taking a few classes before you decide to go all in on an I/O degree
I was actually just discussing this with somebody in TRL. I actually taught public speaking when I was getting my phd. I firmly believe that the only way to get over a fear of public speaking, is to make public speeches. Almost everybody I taught was very anxious when making their speeches. I was the same way when I was younger. But, after doing it so much as a master's student (all my teachers forced us to make speeches all the time), I got over my fear. I have no problem doing public speaking at all anymore. It's a very profitable skill to have. It sucks doing speeches when you're so nervous, so scared, etc., but like other phobias, the only way to get better is to do immersion therapy. So, I just really suggest that you take a public speaking course and try to speak in public whenever possible. It will work. I know firsthand
