All Your Questions Answered

• I spent the last two years getting a Master’s degree in Industrial Organizational Psychology.
  
  
• It’s the application of psychological principles and theory to the management of human resources in organizations. I/O Psychology is focused on collecting and analyzing data in order to make empirically driven decisions that will result in the effective and efficient use of human resources. I am more interested in the “O” side, which looks at more how the organization can affect behavior, so I would like to get involved in organizational change and development. Although, I do enjoy the “I” as well. The “I” side is more focused on measuring human characteristics.
  
  
• I am living at home with my parents looking for a job.
  
  
• Nothing yet.
  
  
• Nope, no prospects either.
  
  
• I am hoping to get into a consulting firm. A consulting firm is hired by an organization to help with a specific problem or project pertaining to their human resources. For example, if an organization needs a new selection process or new training curriculum developed, the organization may hire a consulting firm. I would also be able to work in an organization’s HR department, but if I were to take a job like that, I would hope that it is defined as an internal consulting position rather than an administrative HR position (I didn’t go to grad school to file I-9’s and W-2’s all day).
  
  
• I am willing to move anywhere. I would prefer to stay on this planet.
  
  
• I would still be a Packer fan.
  
  
• Yeah, Brett Favre is a jerk.

PHR

Well as most of you have heard, I passed the PHR yesterday. This is the Professional in Human Resource certification exam. Passing the exam does not mean that I am certified at this point, but after 2 years of exempt experience I will be. So why take it you ask? Well having passed the exam I can show to employers that I know my stuff and although I would eventually get into HR consulting, I am much more likely to find a job in HR to start out. It gives me that one step up that may help when I am paired against another job candidate with similar education/experience.

I finished and handed in my thesis on Wednesday, prior to that thesis was my number one priority and I didn't do anything but that. Then all of a sudden I had only 5 days before my test. Turns out the last thing I really wanted to do was study some more, so I didn't do a very good job focusing. I did manage to read 1 of the 6 books in the SHRM Learning System which was on labor laws and unions which we don't learn much about here (especially the union part). So I did that and took a bunch of practice tests. I usually scored a solid 60% on all the practices. I was prepared to fail.

I drove to the test site and got settled in to start my 225 multiple choice questions. I was feeling alright at first, but it wasn't long until I felt like I was guessing on almost every one. Then things got better and I knew every question. Then things went bad again and I just wanted it over. I would find myself reading the question over and over. The answer was many times obvious once I got myself focused again, but focusing was proving quite difficult.

Focusing was a challenge not only because of the 225 questions, but because of my surroundings. Nothing really bothered me at first, but by question 100, distraction was inevitable. The biggest distraction I had was a growing headache, but I managed to keep that at bay until the test was over, then unfortunately I had one of the worst headaches of my life (but not nearly as bad as those migraines I used to get in 1st grade). Anyway... to my right there was Movey McMoverson, to my left was Miss Coughsalot behind me to the right was Sir Typey Typetype and then behind me to the left was Mr. HolyCowThisTestIsHardIAmReallyStressedOutWhenWillThisBeOver.

I used up about 3 hours of my alloted 4 hours. I sat with all the questions done and contemplated whether it was worth it to go back through. I was feeling pretty confident that I had not passed and I didn't know if it was worth the bother of going back through and trying to remember information that I didn't really know. I decided that it is best to go with my instincts and I opted to submit my test. So I hit "end test" and waited.... then finally the "optional questionaire" popped up. I filled it out and clicked to the next screen. I waited patiently and cringed as the screen popped up. It took me a second to look over the screen and find the result and it said "Pass". My jaw dropped and I gasped (I may be known in someone else's blog as Gaspy McGasperson). I couldn't believe it. I would have been willing to bet money on me not having passed, and I would have lost money.

I left my computer and I handed my note paper back to the procter and said in a disbelief "I passed!' and he said "well thats what you came here to do, right?" So then he printed off my preliminary results report stamped it with the seal and I was on my merry way. And then I called mom.

I feel confident now that I have retained something from the last two years. And it is nice that all that studying for comps really did take care of two birds. Now, let's go do a job analysis!

Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm DONE!!!!

Well its over. I handed in my thesis to the office of graduate studies today. I got all three signatures I needed, but not without a bit of drama. I planned on getting everything signed on Thursday, but Tuesday morning I heard that the Department head was not going to be in the office on Thursday and Friday. So then I had to figure out a way to get everyone signed today. Which I did manage to do, but due to the unconventional way of going about it, I was unable to get them to use the pen I got for Christmas, sorry Heidi. So Glenn signed the sheet left it in his mailbox, I had to go out to COHRE to track down Mike. He was in a meeting so the secretary Mitzi went in and had him sign. And then I went over to the psych department office to have Papini sign it. I realize you probably don't know any of those names... but trust me, its all the right people.

I also didn't get to use the paper bc they don't require special paper. They actually include printing and binding all together. I have to had in a paper copy, but I also give them an electronic copy. So, Sorry Heidi and Dave, I didn't get to use your paper.

I will hear back from the graduate office in a few weeks. I am sure there will be a thing or two that I missed as far as style goes, but everything else should be fine.

Unfortunately, I am not quite done with school-like stuff yet. I still have to take the PHR on Tuesday. Seeing how I haven't really studied yet, I am not too hopeful that I will pass. And if studying doesn't go too well in the next few days I may cancel my test time. I am not too worried about it though since it doesn't affect my graduation, but still it would be nice to pass.

Best Study Tactic EVER!

I have done this in the past and have had success, and I did it again today and it has been a very successful thesis day.

Step 1: Drink a cup of coffee
Step 2: Take a thirty minute nap before the caffeine hits.
Step 3: Wake up with an insane amount of energy.
Step 4: Finish your thesis.

I am still on step 4, but I am getting much closer!

Oh wow..... its already June 14th...

I am really REALLY nervous now.

It's Crunch Time

Suddenly it's June and in 21 days my thesis must be signed and in the Graduate Studies office. I have a lot to write before it is ready, so I am a tad nervous. I am not so much nervous in my ability to write, I am more nervous that the "stellar" professors here will not sign off on it in time. My proposal took 3 weeks and 3 emails to get signed by one person. Thankfully that person is now done with their part of the process and I don't need that signature for the final step.

I got some pretty interesting results so it won't be too painstaking to write. At least I will have more to say than, "nothing was significant" which some of my classmates are getting to write.

I can't wait for July.

Cats are funny!

I found this hilarious!

And yes thesis is going marvelously.

Seriously?

Remember this?

Well I shoved all that stuff in my closet.

It may be time for that fire.

Last Day of School

Today I had my last class of my entire life. Its pretty weird to think that in the fall I won't start up with a new set of classes.

I still have that thesis to finish up though, so I am not completely out of the school realm yet.

It's been a while

Well it has been quite some time since my last post and a lot has happened and it mostly school related.

I took comps and found out yesterday that I passed.
I submitted to IRB and was approved for my thesis.
I went to New Orleans for SIOP, which was great.
I collected data for my thesis.
I cleaned my room.
My town got slaughtered by a tornado.

All in all things are wrapping up nicely. All I have to do at this point is enter the rest of my data (I am about half done), analyze the data, and write it all up in a fancy little document called a thesis. As far as class goes.... I am essentially done. We ran out of things to talk about so Thursday is my last class.... probably of my life, weird. I am busy at TCCW. I am the lead on a pretty huge project and so it is a bit stressful. I am taking another test sometime in May or June. This is the PHR certification test. Since I passed comps, it doesn't really matter if I pass this one or not. I would still like to since being certified would hopefully help me get a job, and the bugger was pretty expensive so I would rather it not be a waste.

Study Study Study

Next week this time the biggest test of my life will be over! Unfortunately there is a lot of studying that I have to do before I am ready for it to be next Saturday.

As part of our Master's experience we have to pass a comprehensive exam. This exam consists of 7 questions, one from all of the core classes we have taken and one integrative question. It is 70 points and I have to get a 70% to pass. That means they can take off 21 points and I still pass. I am pretty sure I can do that... pretty sure.

They give us all the possible questions before hand, so really there is no reason not to pass, but out of the 80 or so possible that they give us, I am a bit worried I will not know the 7 I need to come test day.

Besides that I am up to my ears in thesis, trying to get my proposal ready to submit to IRB. I really wanted to get that in early this week so I could collect data early next week since I am heading back to New Orleans on that Wednesday for SIOP.

I also got moved at work into a different department. I am now part of Organizational Effectiveness which is more in line with my field. I am working on a workforce planning project for a change that DCS is going through. Its a bit stressful because I am essentially the only one on the project and frankly I don't have a clue what I am doing... but it will look good to future employers given I am successful.

And now... back to studying. I am now going to move out of advanced org psych and into job analysis/performance appraisal..... exciting stuff.

It's come to this...

I lit the stress candle Heidi gave me for Christmas... let's hope it gets me to the end.

Sunburn

Well I have my first sunburn of the season. Today the temperature was around 80 degrees, so me and Jaclyn decided to head to the pool. We laid out and chatted for a couple hours. I, of course, got a nice sunburn. Its not too bad, but still, I'm red.

Fortunately for studying purposes it is going to be in the upper 40's lower 50's with rain for the rest of the week and through the weekend. That should be a bit more conducive to spending more time in the library and less out by the pool.

"new" computer

My computer got sick and I tried really hard to make it better, but it was not having it. So after a little consultation with Dave, he confirmed what I figured needed to be done. I had to erase the whole system and start new. I think I have everything back to normal. I ended up buying a new microsoft office. If you are in school you can download the ultimate version for 60 bucks. It includes word, publisher, ppt, outlook, onenote, infopath, groove, access, and excel. Being the nerd that I am, I am pretty excited about it. I have all my files back on my computer and I am working on getting all my programs installed again. So I have a "new" computer! yay!

I am currently on spring break. I am vacationing to the library. Its pretty great. I have my comprehensive exam (aka the biggest test of my life) the end of this month so I am spending some quality time studying for that. I am also trying to get my thesis ready to submit for IRB approval, hopefully that will be ready by the end of this week as well.

NOLA was pretty fun. I am fairly certain that we were the only people in New Orleans that went to Mardi Gras by mistake. We had no idea until the hotel called us and said that we needed to get wrist bands in order to get in the hotel due to the "holiday". So I got to experience Mardi Gras, and it was insane. I will be quite content never being there during Mardi Gras again. I think my favorite part of New Orleans was the food. I learned that I really like alligator. It is a lot like chicken, except for it has a swamp taste too... yet its really good. I head back to New Orleans in April, so hopefully I will be ready to return by then.

NOLA

I am going to New Orleans tomorrow and staying until Saturday. I just decided to go today. I don't really to the "planning" thing. I am going to a psychology conference, so there is at least a reason. It is a general psychology conference though and not I/O specific... so hopefully it will be worth it.

Interestingly in a month I will be going back to New Orleans for SIOP. That conference will rock! I can't wait.

In other news, I am getting excited to get out of here and get a real job. So if you know anyone that works in a consulting firm or in organizational development let me know!

One reason to love TN

It is 67 degrees right now... in February.

EKG!

Today I had an EKG. (Spoiler alert) I'm fine.

I have been having chest pains on the lower left side of my chest. Essentially it feels like there is an organ inside that wants to get out and my ribs pinch it and squeeze the crap out of it to show it who's boss. The pain is sharp and only lasts a few seconds. It has been happening 2-3 times a day since Sunday and a dull constant pain lasts after the sharp episode. So I decided to go to the health center at school. Its free for the doctor visit and you just pay for the tests.

Essentially my dr. asked me a ton of questions, poked around a bit and said, "Its probably nothing to do with the heart but lets do an EKG to be sure." She said it was most likely pleurisy or an intercostal muscle sprain. She said it is more like the the muscle sprain, so after the EKG came back clear, she gave me some prescritptions. One is for muscle spasms called cyclobenzaprine and the other is a pain reliever called naproxen, which is just a step up from Aleve.

So I got an EKG, and two prescriptions for a grand total of: $25. Not too shabby.

Responsibility Fail

So tonight I was relaxing at home before I needed to get ready to go to a concert (my roommate Laura conducts a children's string orchestra). So at about 5:30, I decided to look over what readings I have to do for Thursdays class. I need to read them tonight, since I work all day tomorrow and then have to work on a training project tomorrow evening. I have to write a paper on this reading which is due tomorrow night at 11. So essentially it is imperative that I read this tonight. So I checked my planner and sure enough, part of the reading is 5 chapters in the book... that I haven't bought yet. (I actually attempted to buy it online, and put my order in, but then they were out of stock or somthing) So I check the website for the blue raider bookstore, praying that they don't close at 5 or 5:30.... and sure enough open until 6. I rushed over there and found the very last copy they had of the book. And I got the faculty discount since technically I am staff because of my GA.

So now I get to read my new book (and other various articles)!

Pop Quiz!

I had to buy a packet of articles from the bookstore for my OD class. All it is is a bunch of copies of articles... so printed paper.

How much do you think this cost?
And here is a picture with a shot glass to reference (I figured everyone would know the relative size of a shot glass :))The person who guesses the closest without going over wins free babysitting from me when I return to where you live! Or if you don't have kids I will buy you a candy bar.

Last First Day of School Ever

Tomorrow is my last first day of school. It is pretty exciting stuff. I only have Organizational Development and Change (OD). OD is the area of I/O that I am most interested in and I would love to work in this area when I grow up... So I am looking forward to the class, but a little nervous about it because of the horror stories I heard from the people last year, but I am optimistic.

Unfortunately, and as I could have predicted, I have not gotten much done on my thesis. You would think the fear of not graduating would motivate me, but it hasn't. Oh well, I still think I can pull it off.

Alright I have to go finish up the homework that was assigned for the FIRST day of class... lame.

Home!

Well I left Heidi's at about 9 this morning and I rolled into the Boro at 9:30pm... not too shabby. I got home and my awesome roommate Laura had supper ready for me :)

My trip was good, there was snow covering the interstate in MN but once I crossed into WI it was fine.... I guess states with cool football teams are able to plow the roads properly... who knew?

Then I got to Illinois...... that lasted forever.

And then there was a bit of Kentucky... that didn't last too long.

And finally TN! The Nashville skyline was a great sight. And half an hour later I got home.

It was a good day, I am exhausted.