Careers in Human FactorsAlso called Ergonomics or Engineering Psychology

Wally Boot, Ph.D.Department of PsychologyFlorida State University

What is the definition of Human Factors?

Human Factors researchers help to ensure that the design of a system (software, mobile device, vehicle, roadway environment, power plant) matches the perceptual and cognitive abilities of those using the system to increase:

• Usability/Efficiency

• Safety

• Comfort

Poor Human Factors Design

What are the activities in which Human Factors professionals engage?

• Conduct research on perception and cognition in applied contexts

• Research, design, and evaluate products for industry; evaluate training programs for operating high tech equipment (e.g., aircraft, submarines)

• Research, design, & evaluate environments to maximize safety

• If in academia, also teach, obtain funding for research, disseminate findings

What are the activities in which Human Factors professionals engage?

What are the activities in which Human Factors professionals engage?

Domains in which Human Factors research occurs highlight interdisciplinary nature of field:

•Transportation (e.g., driving, aviation)

•Health (e.g., medical device design, telehealth, training)

•HCI (human-computer interaction)

•Consumer product /software design

•Gerontechnology

What types of organizations or businesses employ Human Factors professionals?

• Universities (e.g., FSU, University of Illinois, Georgia Tech)

• Industries (e.g., Apple, Microsoft, IBM, Google)

• Government (NASA, FAA)

• Military (U.S. Army Research Lab, Office of Naval Research)

• Aerospace (Lockheed Martin, Boeing)

How much graduate training is needed to become a Human Factors professional?

Academia: Requires Ph.D. (usually in Cognitive Psychology,Human Factors, or Applied Experimental Psychology)

Private Industry: Usually requires Ph.D. or M.S.

Government, Military, or Aerospace: Usually requires Ph.D. or M.S.

Graduate School:

•Involves classes and intensive research training

•Funding during graduate school: Generally receive stipend

Are certifications or additional training needed to become a Human Factors

professional?No certifications or post-doctoral training required

Background checks typically necessary for government, military, and many industries

How good are employment opportunities forHuman Factors professionals?

Academia: Like many faculty positions, competitive, especially at research universities

Industry: High demand for HF researchers, but sometimes low security (e.g., small businesses)

Government, Military, Aerospace: High demand for HF researchers, typically high security

What salaries do Human Factors professionals earn?

According to Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (2013) Survey:

Average Salary: $111,762

According to Department of Labor:

Average Salary: $78,860

Ph.D. holders in the private sector make the most

(often > $150,000)

How flexible are working conditions for Human Factors professionals?

• Varies across settings, but in general, academia often offers the most freedom in terms hours (though overall, it may place more demands on your time), dress code

• Given the multiple jobs of an academic (teaching, research, service), “part-time” option not feasible

• Academia offers great freedom in terms of working on the problems you are most interested in (compared to industry, military, aerospace)

What skills and experiences should Undergrads Acquire if they are interested in Human Factors?

• Undergraduate Research (DIS): As much as possible, particularly if you can get into human factors and cognitive labs

• GPA: To be competitive for HF Masters/Ph.D. programs, a minimum of 3.0

• GRE: Depends on program, the higher the better, both Math and Verbal are important

• Desirable skills: Statistics, research design, writing skills

What is the most rewarding aspect of being a Human Factors professional?

• Using your research skills and knowledge of psychology to solve everyday problems

• Knowing that your work has an impact on the well-being and safety of many people

• Experiencing the challenge of studying psychology in the wild• Opportunity to work with newest and most innovative

technologies• Working with people from many different disciplines

What is the biggest drawback of being a Human Factors professional?

• If you do not like research, this is not the field for you

• HF researchers tackle hard problems, try to understand complex systems (e.g., preventing roadway deaths)

• Because technology changes so rapidly, must be adaptable and on top of new advances

Additional information about being Human Factors professional

Relevant Research at FSU: Human Factors and Aging

– Wally Boot & Neil Charness

•With age, perceptual and cognitive abilities decline

– Person-environment mismatch

•Can we design computers, medical devices, and roadway environments to better match the abilities of seniors?

– Improve access

– Improve safety

– Improve well-being

Website recommendations for students interested in Human Factors

Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Career Guidehttp://www.hfes.org/web/Students/career.html

Division 21 of the American Psychological Society: Applied Experimental & Engineering Psychologyhttp://www.apadivisions.org/division-21/students/careers/index.aspx