Studying psychology isn't simply about becoming a psychologist. It opens doors to myriad career paths post-graduation. For example, this field offers foundational knowledge for careers in sectors like marketing, counseling, and social work.
A background in psychology, holding a degree in industrial organizational psychology, for example, is also quite beneficial if you're pursuing a career in HR.
Whether you just finished college or looking for the next challenge, this piece is for you. Here’s a rundown of six great ways studying psychology could help your HR career and afterwards.
1. Enhanced Communication Skills
Understanding psychology can help you better perceive what others are thinking or feeling, thus enhancing your conversation skills. This emotional intelligence is key to HR success. As we’ll see later, it aids in conducting interviews, communicating expectations, and resolving employee issues.
2. It Helps In Understanding Employee Motivation
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Psychological studies often delve into what motivates individuals. As an HR professional, knowledge about various motivational theories can guide you in developing reward systems, setting performance metrics, or even creating an employee wellness program.
These can go a long way in boosting employee morale and motivation at the workplace, aiding productivity in turn.
3. Aids In Conflict Resolution
In the job environment, it’s not unusual for conflicts to occur. It could be amongst colleagues or between an employee and their boss. It could even be between an employee and a client.
Whichever the case, an amicable resolution is always the best way to avoid hurting productivity and business operations, and this often requires intervention from HR.
On this note, psychology provides insights into triggers and resolution or management techniques for workplace conflicts. This knowledge equips you to handle workplace disputes effectively, allowing for a quicker recovery and return to productivity for all involved parties.
4. Leadership Styles
Different situations call for different leadership styles, and knowledge of psychology helps identify the best fit. For example, if a team is low on morale after a setback, adopting a transformational style that motivates and inspires might be most effective.
Alternatively, during times of crisis or when quick decisions are needed, an authoritative style could bring order and clarity.
Learning about these styles through psychology gives HR professionals the adaptability to promote productivity in diverse scenarios.
5. Better Decision-Making
The psychological study of biases and perceptions can help you make fair engagements and decisions as an HR professional. By understanding this side of human cognitive processes better, you are less likely to show favoritism or discrimination, which in turn boosts the organization’s employees' trust in the department.
After all, a successful career as an HR professional relies heavily on your judgment or analytical and decision-making skills!
6. Efficient Recruitment
A background in psychology can greatly enhance the recruitment process. It gives potent insights into candidate behavior and skills, helping you to identify potential talent properly.
Likewise, it enables the interpretation of non-verbal cues during interviews, providing a broader understanding of applicants beyond their written resumes. With psychology in your toolkit, you are more likely to choose candidates who fit well with your company culture and job expectations.
What if You Want to Move On from HR?
Choosing a career in human resources with a psychology background doesn't lock you into HR for life. After all, the field of psychology is wide and incredibly diverse.
If you ever decide to transition out of an HR role, there's an array of Psychology Jobs within your specialization that could be considered. One noteworthy option to explore is psychiatry, especially for those who need a new challenge.
Drawing heavily on psychology, psychiatry involves diagnosing and treating mental health conditions, requiring extensive knowledge in this area. While it may require further education and training, it's a rewarding career path for those intrigued by the intricacies of the human mind.
In summary, a degree in psychology offers valuable insights that can elevate your HR career or pivot to myriad other roles within the field. With such diverse career possibilities, psychology truly is the key to unlocking a wealth of opportunities. Choose wisely and carve out a fulfilling career path that suits your interests and skills.
