Ryan Samia

Talent & Organization Development
Tractor Supply

Q: Have you pursued any certifications or additional training to enhance your skills as an I/O psychologist? 

A: Yes! I finished my Masters in I/O over 10 years ago. Since then, every role I had has been about acquiring new knowledge and skills. About five years ago, I had the opportunity to complete an intensive and comprehensive coaching certification. This has tremendously helped me as a practitioner to broaden my skills and experiences. Additionally, throughout my career, I have been certified in a variety of behavioral and personality assessments.  

Q: Are you a member of any I/O psychology professional organizations, and how has being part of these communities benefited your career? 

A: Yes. I stay connected with SIOP as an associate, as well as with Asians in I/O group. I try to leverage the annual SIOP conference and the broader community. I believe the conference is one of the best ways to get energized about the field and reconnect to our passion for what we all get to do and the impact that we have. Because of SIOP and this community, I’ve met others and collaborated with them including speaking at SIOP conferences a couple of times.  

Q: What advice would you give to someone considering a career in Industrial and Organizational Psychology? 

A: One piece of advice would be to continually be curious – curious about processes, people, systems, technology, and data. The workplace is becoming more complex and ever-changing, and while we have a lot of research and evidence-based practices already, we also know there’s so much more out there. As you consider a career in IO, prepare to dig into what’s not visible, be uncomfortable with what you might uncover, and study the field with intention, thinking about the impact you can have on people and organizations.