MPS in Applied Industrial-Organizational Psychology

Sandi Slappey Brown, 2023

Describe your dissertation, thesis, or capstone (if you completed one):

I worked with an amazing team of three other students - Aimee Durrance, Lorain Alonso, and Nikita O'Leary - to conduct research about neurodiversity in the workplace. We used survey methodology to explore the moderating influence of neurodivergence on the relationship between psychological need fulfillment and job satisfaction.

How did you choose your specific area of study?

We chose our topic to fill a research gap in the emerging field of neurodiversity. One of our team members identifies as neurodivergent and truly championed our work to add to this knowledge base and help organizations develop more inclusive workplace environments.

How did your academic experiences in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences impact you?

I was so energized by everything I was learning! It became a common occurrence for me to show up at work telling colleagues about something I'd just learned that we could use to strengthen our workforce. The content was immediately relevant to my workplace challenges. I loved it!

Of which accomplishment(s) during your time at Mason are you most proud?

Oh gosh, that's a hard one. I guess I'm just proud of having successfully tackled the whole program, and applying what I learned to my workplace.

Are there faculty or staff members who made a difference during your Mason career?

Every. single. one.

Dr. Stagl, Dr. Elder, Dr. Leeds, Dr. Kaplan, Dr. Zaccaro, Dr. Hutchison, Dr. Ahmad, and Dr. Doverspike. I loved when they invited students to dialogue during Office Hours - I got a lot out of sharing my experiences and hearing from others.

What advice would you give to an incoming cohort of graduate students?

Connect with your fellow students; I would not have gotten through without them. Go to Office Hours and be involved - you get so much more out of the class that way, and the professors really enjoy engaging with us! Figure out a strategy that works for you to stay ahead of the deadlines - life happens and you need a cushion. Take feedback as an opportunity to learn and grow. Don't sweat a few points; stay focused on what you're learning.

What are your current career plans following graduation? What are your long-term career goals?

I am crafting my current job to make better use of my new knowledge and skills. Long-term I hope to do more to support organizational change in my current workplace and as a consultant down the line.