Your future

Welcome to Employed, an FPN Podcast! In this episode we will listen to Yara Brouckaert alumna if the IJMRWOP and Ute Hülsheger, programme coordinator.

Yara talks about how this programme has taught her the skills she needed to get off to a good start in an academic career. But also, how these skills are of value in jobs outside of academia and how she has learned to bridge the gap between fields. She mentions the importance of collaboration, learn from people with more and different experiences to keep growing and developing your skills.

Lets listen to Yara and Ute.

• First job: research associate at Leipzig university collecting data on information and communication technology use and writing short reports about the main descriptive results.
• Current job: PhD position in Leipzig, focusing on the role of gender at the workplace (currently planning to conduct research on gender-fair language and its effect on questionnaire ratings and work-related measures such as “intention to apply”)

The master’s programme was overall a great experience, although very challenging. It has equipped me with a broad range of knowledge on many W&O topics and with a great scientific skill set. I am grateful for the resilience I have built and for the opportunity to get to know three different countries, cities, and universities with different research foci and teaching styles.

• Graduated: 2022
• First and Current Job: PhD student and Research Assistant at the Future of Work Institute, Curtin University, Perth

In the beginning of the master, I was not sure whether I wanted to pursue an academic career or go into economy after graduating. The programme prepared me very well for my PhD, but it also gave me the option to work in HR, consulting, or entrepreneur coaching (those just a few examples). Additionally, traveling so much and getting to know practitioners and professors from three universities was a great way for networking with people who work already in the field. It was hard work, but I got to experience three countries in two years, and it taught me great academic writing, methodological and statistical skills.

• Graduated: 2022
• My first and current Job: PhD Candidate at IDOCAL (Research Institute of Personnel Psychology, Organizational Development and Quality of Working Life, Universitat de Valencia)

Looking back on my time as a master's student in the IJMRWOP, I can say that I really enjoyed the experience. Having completed my master's degree, I am currently pursuing a PhD at Valencia University. The master’s programme was a source of personal and professional growth, offering me the opportunity to study in three countries and gain diverse perspectives on research in work and organizational psychology. The programme equipped me with essential knowledge in research and statistical methods but also more practical aspects, like the design of interventions. Besides this hands-on knowledge, the program also enhances critical thinking and problem-solving skills. These competencies have been very valuable in my current position as a PhD candidate and provide a solid foundation for my project.

• Graduated: 2021
• First job: HR Partner at Amazon
• Currently: PhD in Work and Organizational Psychology at the University of Valencia

The two years of the master were filled with theoretical knowledge and real-life research projects which I found to be a great foundation to work both in academy and practice. After graduating, I worked as a HR Partner at Amazon in Germany. This first work experience was amazing and allowed me to put what I had learned into practice. But it was always in the back of my mind that wanted to do a PhD someday. So, when I got the opportunity to start a PhD position at the University of Valencia and work on a project about robotisation of workplaces, I was more than excited to dive back into academy.

• First and current job: PhD candidate at Ghent University

After graduating from the IJMRWOP, I embarked on a career as a PhD student at Ghent University in Belgium. In my current role, I conduct research on well-being and conflict in start-ups, a path for which my master's degree prepared me well. This programme equipped me with essential skills such as reading critically, state-of-the-art statistical analyses and learning to conduct publishable research from scratch. Reflecting on this journey, the master's programme was not only academically enriching but also holistically so. The pandemic taught me resilience, the professors taught us invaluable knowledge, and the bonds and shared experiences with my peers became the cornerstone of my personal and professional development.

• Graduated 2022
• PhD Candidate, Eindhoven University of Technology

After completing my studies, I found a PhD position at Eindhoven University of Technology in which I could thrive on my interest in evidence-based practice. Based on a comprehensive outlook of the future of work gained during the master’s, I aimed to study the potential for Artificial Intelligence to team up with humans and examine common teamwork difficulties. In my work, I collaborate with other scholars, teach upcoming students, and visit various conferences to extend my knowledge further. The master prepped me well for this endeavour as extensive knowledge on various W/O psychology domains, and the challenges of conducting high-quality research or writing and presentation skills are needed daily.

• Graduated: 2021
• First job: Consultant for Talent Acquisition at Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD)
• Current job: Organisational Psychologist in the European Commission

After graduating, I joined an international company in talent acquisition. Although the experience was enriching, offering remote work and travel opportunities, I realised it wasn't the ideal fit.

I decided to quit and apply for the European Commission. Following a five-month traineeship, I was offered a job in the field of workforce analysis and planning. Working in the EU Commission is very stimulating and being a part of a public institution enables me to do meaningful work with a positive impact. IJMRWOP gave me a solid theoretical foundation in organizational psychology, prepared me to quickly research scientific evidence and critically examine information, and equipped me with strong data analysis skills, all of which greatly benefit my professional career. I enjoy working in a diverse environment where my educational background is appreciated and where I can learn from experts from various professional fields.

• First and current job: PhD researcher in Work and Organizational Psychology at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel.

For as long as I can remember, I have been curious about why people behave in specific ways. Specifically, I was intrigued by studying psychological phenomena in the workplace. To develop my research skills in this field, I applied for the IJMRWOP programme. Thanks to the focus on research, I learned how to conduct high-quality theory-driven research and to think about the theoretical and practical implications of my research. The programme's international focus also taught me about the importance of taking various cultural environments into account when conducting scientific research. Not only did this master's prepare me for a career in academia, but it also provided me with friendships that will last a lifetime.

• Graduated: 2022
• First & Current Job: PhD Candidate at WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management

With interest in how we can influence the future of work, I applied for the International Joint Master of Research in Work and Organizational Psychology at Maastricht University. After gaining theoretical and practical insights into the field while traveling and studying at three different universities across Europe, I found my passion in research. Thanks to my training within the degree, I was able to dive deep into various scientific practices and gather hands-on knowledge. Understanding current challenges within practice and being equipped with the knowledge on how to shape future research, I followed my heart and stayed in academia. Currently, I am pursuing my PhD in organizational behaviour at WHU – Otto Beisheim School of Management in Germany, investigating the intricacies of failure culture within organizations. In addition to doing research, I received the opportunity to shape the education of upcoming students through my active involvement in teaching, where I enjoy inspiring others and sharing the tips and tricks I gained with my master’s.