careers in occupational psychology

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University of East London, School of Psychology,Romford Road, London E15 4LZ, UK

www.uel.ac.uk/psychology

Careers In Occupational Psychology

Mark HollowayChartered Occupational PsychologistDecember 2008

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What Is Occupational Psychology?

• Attempts to explain, predict and make improvements to how people experience the workplace in three main ways:

•Their well-being•Their work behaviour•Their attitudes towards work

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Areas Of Interest

• There are four main areas of research and work for occupational psychologists:

Helping Organisations to Change

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Areas Of Interest


Working with Technology

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Areas Of Interest


Managing Performance and Careers

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Areas Of Interest


Getting the Right People and Getting the People Right

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Issues In Selection & Assessment

• Are selection decisions rational?• Uncritical acceptance of testing• Are individual differences stable?• Methodological problems• Selection as a social construction• Mutual dishonesty• A new stakeholder

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Rational Decisions?

• Good enough decision making• Good enough on both sides• Decisions made by groups• Bias and distortion

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Uncritical About Tests

• Do tests measure what they purport to?

• Is self report contaminated?• Can we measure internal

processes?

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Individual Differences

• Stability across time• The past predicting the future• Success in different contexts

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Methodology Problems

• Tests developed on students• What happens to rejects?• Lack of critical review by

organisations• Slow to address adverse impact

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A Social Construct?

• One best way?• Selection defines potential on its

own terms• Selection as an organisational

manifestation

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Mutual Dishonesty

• Contamination from both sides• Putting your best foot forward• How to be good at selection

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A New Stakeholder

• Power with the organisation• Power with the organisation and

applicant• Test publishers as new

stakeholders

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Training In Occupational Psychology

• 1 year full time/2 years part time• Cost £6000• 20 UK Universities/c600 students• Do you need to be a psychologist?

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What Qualifications Do You Need?

• BSc in Psychology (GBR)• BA or BSc in associated disciplines

and some work experience• Related professional qualification

(such as CIPD)

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What Experience Will Help?

• Almost anything in a work setting– Management experience– Human resources

• Use of psychometric tests• Selection and recruitment

– Consultancy

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What Qualities Do You Need?

• Skills common to most graduates include:

•Literacy•Numeracy•Computer literacy•Information finding skills•Research skills •Measurement skills

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• I believe that psychology graduates have an additional range of skills that they may be less aware of. These include:

Scepticism

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Interpersonal Awareness

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Pragmatism

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Who Will Employ You ?

• Self-Employed • Public Sector

– Central & Local Government– NHS

• Private Sector– Consultancy Practices– HR & OD Functions

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What Work Will You Do?

• Training & Coaching• Ergonomics Design/Error Evaluations• Selection & Recruitment

– Psychometric Testing– Assessment Centres

• Change Management– Cultural Change– Staff Evaluations

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How Much Can You Earn ?

• Public Organisations– Graduate Psychologists (£17-£22,000)– Higher Psychologists (£19-£26,000)– Senior Psychologists (£25-£50,000)

• Private Organisations– £18- £25k : first job– £25-35: second job – £65K-£85k for experienced consultants– £100k + for partners & directors

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Where To From Here?

• Thanks for listening• Finding out more• Taking your interest further

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Where To From Here?

• Marika Hooke: Admissions Officer (AE.3.01)• 020 8223 4609• [email protected]

• Jonathan Passmore: Admissions Tutor (AE.3.22)

• 07736 017463• [email protected]

• Mark Holloway: Programme Director (AE.3.21)• 020 8223 4178• [email protected]

careers in occupational psychology

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