What is a psychometrician's job like?

I'm interested in psychology and came across the term 'psychometrician.' Can someone explain what they do and what career paths someone might follow to become one? Is there a particular college major that leads to this job?

A psychometrician is involved in the development and validation of measurement instruments used in the field of psychology, such as tests and questionnaires. They use mathematical formulas and statistics to analyze and interpret the data collected from these tools. Psychometricians usually work in research-based environments such as universities, testing companies, or other fields where cognitive testing is prominent, though they can also be found in clinical settings and corporate environments.

To become a psychometrician, one usually pursues a major in psychology or a related field (like statistics or education research) in their undergraduate studies, where they typically take courses in statistics, research methods, and psychology. It's particularly important to build a strong foundation in statistics and research methodology, as these are crucial tools for a psychometrician's work.

Following their undergraduate degree, most prospective psychometricians forge on to attain a graduate degree in the same or related field. A master's degree in psychology, educational psychology, or quantitative psychology, for instance, can lay the groundwork for a career as a psychometrician. Certain positions may require a doctoral degree (PhD).

Beyond academic credentials, those interested in the field also need to be comfortable with complex statistical software, detail-oriented, and enjoy solving complex problems. An understanding of human psychology, development, and behavior is vital, as developing effective measurement tools often requires a deep understanding of what's being measured.

As for career paths, after receiving the necessary education and gaining some practical experience—often done through internships during graduate school—individuals can begin their careers as junior or associate psychometricians in various settings. They can then move on to senior or lead psychometrician roles with more experience. Some even further specialize in specific areas of psychometrics, like educational assessment or job performance evaluations.

Bear in mind this is a very mathematical and detail-oriented career path that merges the human psychology field with lots of data and research. So, it's really perfect for people who have both a curiosity about human behavior and a love for data and statistical analysis.