For this week’s IOHRM Student Spotlight, we are featuring Jack Bowden, a dual-degree candidate pursuing an Industrial-Organizational Psychology and Human Resource Management (IOHRM) master's degree and an MBA here at Appalachian State University. He completed his undergraduate studies at Western Michigan University, earning a degree in Behavioral Psychology with minors in business and philosophy. Let’s explore his unique path from behavioral science to business leadership and his experiences in the program.
Journey to IOHRM
Jack’s path to the IOHRM program began with a background in Behavioral Psychology. His interest was first sparked while conducting traffic research for the Michigan Department of Transportation under Dr. Ron Van Houten, an Organizational Behavior Management researcher and mentor from Western Michigan University. While interested in behavioral psychology, Jack knew he did not want to work in a clinical capacity, such as with individuals with developmental disabilities. Instead, he found his niche in the business world by taking OBM classes. This new focus led him to join a practicum site utilizing OBM practices and to conduct research for faculty in the OBM field. When it came time for graduate school, he knew he wanted a master's degree in some form of ‘business psychology.’ The choice came down to specializing in OBM at WMU or coming to Appalachian State. He ultimately chose App State because of the unique opportunity to dual-major and graduate with both an MBA and the IOHRM degree.
Exploring Interests as a Student
When Jack entered the program, his primary interest was in I/O psychology and consulting, with little initial interest in HR functions. However, his coursework has significantly broadened his perspective. He notes that the program has made him more open to working in HR, and that each class gives him a new perspective on the possibilities within the field. He finds that each new specialized course he takes, such as Training and Development, Compensation, or Performance Management, tends to become his "new favorite subject." He enjoys how these topics tie back to the behavioral principles from his undergraduate studies.
Outside of the classroom, Jack has been heavily involved in SHRM and SHRM Consulting and was previously a member of the behavioral safety team. From these experiences, he has learned practical skills in project management, team leadership, and business consulting. He feels the program met his expectations for coursework, but the most significant development has come from these external opportunities.
Favorite Part of the IOHRM Program
For Jack, the most rewarding part of his experience has been the professional development events. He particularly enjoyed his time attending the NCSHRM conference, the HR Summit, and the Safety Summit.
Advice for Prospective Students
Jack offers two main pieces of advice for those considering the program. First, he strongly recommends visiting the area to determine if Boone is a good fit for you. He notes that while the program is wonderful and speaks for itself, getting a good grasp on the place he would live for the next few years made a world of difference for him. Second, he advises applicants to prepare for the rigor of graduate school. He personally prepared by practicing how to study properly, which included reading textbooks on memory and listening to podcasts about study tips. He believes that having a framework to be more efficient with study time goes a long way when you are strapped for time. He also adds that he wishes he had known more about general HR functions before starting, as his undergraduate program did not have that focus.
Current Plans for After Graduation
Looking ahead, Jack’s post-graduation goal is to enter a leadership development program and participate in rotations around the country for a few years. Following that, he plans to find a location he would like to settle down in and find a permanent job there.
He credits the IOHRM program with preparing him for this search, noting he has been thrust into professional development opportunities from the beginning. Through these experiences, he has learned how to interview better, network properly, speak highly of his achievements, and seek out job opportunities that are a good fit for him.
