Day in the life
A Day in the Life of an Industrial-Organizational Psychologist
What industrial-organizational psychologists actually do from the start of a shift to the end: the tasks, tools, schedule and realities of the job.
What is a typical day like for an industrial-organizational psychologist?
Review survey results. From there, the day usually includes design hiring assessments, run employee surveys, and build performance systems. Full time, with some travel.
Hour by hour: a typical shift
No two days are identical, but this timeline reflects a realistic day for an industrial-organizational psychologist working full time.
- Review survey results.
- Validate a hiring test.
- Meet HR leaders.
- Analyze turnover data.
- Run a leadership workshop.
- Write a report.
- Plan a study.
Where industrial-organizational psychologists work
I-O psychologists work in offices, often for consulting firms or large employers.
Hours and schedule
Full time, with some travel.
Tasks you’ll do most often
- Design hiring assessments
- Run employee surveys
- Build performance systems
- Analyze workforce data
- Develop leaders
- Advise on change
- Conduct research
Tools you’ll use every day
- R or SPSS
- Survey platforms
- Assessment platforms
- Excel
- HRIS data
- Presentation tools
The best and hardest parts of the job
What people like
- Very high pay
- Improve workplaces
- Data and people
- Varied projects
What’s hard
- Graduate degree required
- Small field
- Explaining science to business
- Travel
You’ll likely thrive if…
- I love psychology and data
- I want better workplaces
- I like research
- I can explain science
- I’m willing to do grad school
- I want high pay
Not sure? Take the free Industrial-Organizational Psychologist fit quiz or the Career Match Quiz.
Staying safe on the job
- Protect employee data
- Follow employment law
- Avoid biased assessments
- Follow ethics codes