Student Life
What is the typical age range of the students in the program?
Most students are between the ages of 21 and 35, although some are in their early 40's.
Can I know more about your graduate students?
Please visit our graduate student association (IOPAC) website ( http://lamar.colostate.edu/~iopac ) . This website has information about all our current graduate students, and how to contact them. You are welcome to contact any of the students to learn more about their research interests and perspectives on the program.
What are some of the regions and schools that students come from?
CSU students represent every region of the United States. Currently, there are students who moved to Colorado from New York, California, Florida, Montana, Wisconsin, Georgia, Idaho, and even as far away as Slovakia and Bulgaria. Students also come from a variety of different schools, including some of the top universities in the country as well as from smaller schools.
About how many new students enter into the program with a Master's Degree?
In the past few years the percentage of incoming students with Master's degrees has ranged from 0 to 50%.
What are some examples of students' research interests?
The students possess a variety of research interests, which strongly represent both industrial and organizational topics. Some examples include achievement motivation, organizational justice, conflict resolution, ethnic identity, workplace creativity, personality, performance appraisal, selection, etc. The graduate student website has detailed information about students' current research projects.
What is the climate of the program? Do the students work collaboratively or in isolation? Are the students encouraged to compete or cooperate?
Any graduate student will tell you that one of the most distinctive features of our program is the cooperative environment. Students are supportive of each other in completing courses and research. For course exams, students may hold study groups and lab meetings or "brown bags" to discuss research interests and results. Students also invite speakers from the I/O community to discuss research and consulting opportunities. In sum, the graduate students find it much more productive and rewarding to cooperate rather than compete. Faculty encourages students to collaborate.
Do the students spend time together outside of the classroom?
Yes, all students participate in a few events each semester such as the annual I/O banquet, picnics, and holiday celebrations. Students always get together to celebrate each other's achievements such as a thesis defense or completion of the written comprehensive exam. In addition, Ft. Collins and the surrounding area have much to offer groups of students who want to unwind from a stressful school week. For example, students will often go hiking, skiing, or barhopping together during the weekends.
What are the major predictors of whether a new student will fit in and like the program?
The students brainstormed about this question and came up with a few predictors (most of which are predictors of success in graduate school): achievement motivation, tolerance of ambiguity, stress management, and cooperation with fellow students and faculty members. Also, interests in research and the I/O field in general are also a good indication of overall motivation and success in the program.