Industrial-Organizational Psychology Concentration

Shea Fyffe, 2025

What was your specific area of study and how did you choose it? 

Broadly speaking, my area of study was a lesser-known part of psychology called industrial-organizational psychology. My research, in particular, focused on developing alternative types of personality tests for hiring. I decided to pursue industrial-organizational psychology after taking an introductory course during my undergraduate studies. It was appealing to me because it involved a lot of "hard skills" while still offering the opportunity to improve people's lives. 

If you completed a dissertation, thesis, or capstone, please tell us about it.  

My dissertation research illustrated various ways to apply artificial intelligence (AI), specifically large language models, to improve the practice of personality assessment. That is, I showed several AI techniques that organizations can use to enhance their personality-based hiring tests. 

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

Teaching is a big part of the PhD experience in psychology, so the CHSS undergraduates had a significant impact on me. I was fortunate enough to teach and interact with hundreds of them, either virtually (during COVID) or in person. The vast majority are intelligent, passionate, funny, and willing to learn—I hope I impacted them even a tenth as much as they impacted me. 

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

My advisor (Professor Philseok Lee), my program's faculty, and the Psychology Department faculty all taught me a tremendous amount. But, more importantly, they treated me like I belonged, and that I had the capacity to improve the field. Also, the administrative staff of the Psychology Department (e.g., Tanie, Susan, Dave, and Kevin) are the best—they always had the answers and were always there to help. 

Why did you choose George Mason for your graduate studies? 

George Mason has one of the best (if not the best) Industrial-Organizational Psychology programs in the U.S. They have a relatively large number of faculty with a variety of expertise. When I toured, it felt more like a family than the other PhD programs I visited. 

Which accomplishments during your time at George Mason are you most proud of? 

What I’m most proud of is the collaborative community I developed at George Mason. During my time here, I had the privilege of partnering with more than 20 fellow students and seven faculty members on various publications and dissertations. I am also proud of the undergraduates who allowed me to help shape their future, even if indirectly. The letters of recommendation I wrote, the resumes I edited, and the affirmation I provided—knowing that I helped people along the way—were the most rewarding parts of my doctoral journey. 

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

You can publish papers, ace all of your assignments, and give tons of lectures. What's most important is making someone fall in love with learning. That someone can be you, but try to make it be as many people as you can. 

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

I am currently working for the government, conducting applied research on hiring and training. I plan to stay in applied research but would love to return to teaching part time.