Professional organizations are great resources for people already working in a field, but it turns out that they’re great for students, too! As I-O psychologists, our field bridges the gap between so many different specialty areas that it can be tough to find all the different organizations that can provide the best resources for us. The best place to start is the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP), of course!
Whether you’re just starting out on your journey of thinking about a career in I-O, applying to graduate school this year, or have already picked a program and are well on your way to your next degree, SIOP has a lot to offer.
What is SIOP?
SIOP (pronounced just like “psy”-op) is the primary I-O professional organization, made up of over 8,000 members from around the world. While some of these members are highly successful academics and practitioners advanced in their careers, just as many are students and early career professionals just getting started in I-O.
Where can I learn what resources SIOP has to offer?
The SIOP website is the best place to start. There’s information about student membership, professional publications like The Industrial-Organizational Psychologist (TIP) and white papers, job and internship listings, information about the annual conference, and even a whole section dedicated to students. You can find information about graduate training programs, watch webinars on the official SIOP YouTube channel, or look at scholarship opportunities.
What about the conference? Is it worthwhile to go as a student?
The SIOP Conference is held in a different city each spring, with three days of presentations and networking events, plus some optional pre-conference sessions. Many students attend the SIOP Conference to present research they have engaged in at school, but it’s just as fun and helpful to attend even if you aren’t presenting. The conference is the best place to network with new colleagues from around the country and world or connect with I-O psychologists you may have already met or whose research you have read.
There are events and sessions throughout the conference that are specially developed for students and newcomers. Check out the wide variety of session topics, where there is a whole section on student affiliate issues and professional development! Students can also sign up to volunteer at the conference, which is another great way to meet new people and get involved.
What else can I do to learn about SIOP?
The other great way to learn about SIOP’s resources and what it’s like to attend the conference is by watching Making the Most of SIOP as a Student—free, live webinar from 3:00-4:00 pm EST on April 14th, hosted by SIOP’s Visibility Committee through YouTube Live. The event will focus on common questions about how to take advantage of what SIOP offers. You’ll be able to hear from the Membership Services Specialist for SIOP, Jayne Tegge, as well as this year’s SIOP conference chair, Daisy Chang, and can even write in your own questions live! To watch the webinar live, just go to this link or find it through SIOP’s official YouTube channel, SIOPofficial. If you can’t make it that day, a recording will be posted on the channel after the event.
