Meet Cassidy, a second-year student in the IOHRM graduate program whose path has been shaped by curiosity, persistence, and a genuine interest in people and workplaces. His growth begins with early interests during his undergrad in a holistic pursuit of both academic and professional opportunities.
Journey to IOHRM
Cassidy’s path to the IOHRM program at Appalachian State began during his undergraduate years, when he took an organizational behavior class that initially sparked his interest in the field. As a business major, he found himself drawn more to management courses that explored human behaviors instead of traditional business subjects like finance or accounting. That curiosity led him to explore I/O Psychology as a field. After graduation, Cassidy worked in Human Resources at Salt Lake Community College, where he gained hands-on experience in areas like compensation, recruitment, and onboarding. These early professional experiences reaffirmed his interest in the field and motivated him to pursue higher education down this path. After visiting Appalachian State back in 2019, he was drawn to the IOHRM program’s dual-degree option, research opportunities, and emphasis on applied experience.
Exploring Interests as a Current Student
Cassidy’s main interests lie in DEI and organizational culture. He recognized how much of people’s lives are spent at work, stating the importance of maintaining a supportive environment so time at work can be as enjoyable as possible. Currently in the program, Cassidy has explored this passion in multiple ways. He is co-leading the OCI (Organizational Culture Insights) team within HR Science, interned as a DEI specialist at Micron Technology over the summer, and also engaged with the broader IO community by attending conferences such as BIOP and SIOP. His thesis, “Reality Check: The Impact of Image Authenticity in Online Recruitment,” dives deeper into the area of DEI, examining how different types of images, employee photos, stock images, and AI-generated visuals on employer websites influence applicant perceptions and intentions during the job search process.
Essential Skills and Insights Gained
Coming from a business background, Cassidy initially had limited exposure to research methods and statistics prior to joining the IOHRM program. These quickly became some of the most important skills he developed during his studies here. Learning to conduct research and interpret empirical literature has been essential to his academic and professional growth. Cassidy also improved significantly in public speaking. He shared that he was once terrified of speaking in front of an audience, but now feels much more comfortable presenting his ideas clearly and confidently. This is a skill that was honed through the program coursework and research presentations at conferences. This growth in the ability to effectively communicate has helped him become more efficient in both academic and applied settings.
Advice for Prospective Students
Cassidy’s advice to prospective students is to take every opportunity that comes your way. He emphasizes that the IOHRM program offers a multitude of experiences, and saying “yes” can open unexpected doors. For instance, he joined HR Science without a background in research and found it to be a transformative experience. His encouragement to explore and current position as a co-lead speak to the value of being open, curious, and proactive during graduate school.
Looking Ahead
After graduation, Cassidy will be starting a full-time position at Micron Technology in Boise, Idaho, as their Culture and Workforce Strategies Specialist. While he is excited about this next chapter, his long-term goal is to return to school and earn a Ph.D. in IO Psychology or Organizational Behavior. This is because his dream is to one day become a professor, combining his experience as a practitioner in the field with a love for teaching. Inspired by mentors like Dr. Carson, Cassidy hopes to help shape future leaders in the field with a thoughtful and laid-back teaching style.
We appreciate Cassidy for opening up about his experiences. His journey is a great example of how leaning into your interests and staying open to opportunities can lead to tremendous growth as a graduate student. We are so excited to see how he will continue to build a career that blends impact, research, and leadership!
