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Occupational psychologist: Sara

This Case Study belongs to Occupational psychologist.

Sara has a BA (Hons) German and English, a PG Diploma in Psychology, an MSc Occupational Psychology and a PG Certificate in Coaching. She currently works as an associate psychologist for People-Centric Associates Ltd.

I first became interested in psychology as an aspect of literary theory, and social influence and persuasion. At that time I was very interested in working in business, especially marketing, as this allowed me to use my interpersonal skills in a creative way. I completed internships in marketing and public relations in my summer vacations and in Germany in my year abroad.

After graduating I changed my mind about marketing as a long-term career and reviewed my options. Initially I considered clinical psychology but decided I would prefer to combine my love of business with psychology by applying it in work and business. I made contact with a local occupational psychologist who runs her own consultancy. She inspired me to train as a psychologist and has since then acted as my mentor, as well as employing me periodically.

While I was doing a British Psychological Society (BPS) conversion course as a non-psychology graduate, I earned a living undertaking various short-term and freelance assignments, including research for psychology projects in leadership and entrepreneurship development. My background in marketing and business has been invaluable in occupational psychology consultancy in seeking new business, understanding the commercial needs of clients and maintaining a flexible approach.  

Next I juggled a full-time Master’s degree in London while continuing working for a consultancy in the North East. My previous experience helped me apply what I learnt to real-time business problems, and I became much more confident in statistical analysis and psychometrics. I completed my dissertation project on a stress management audit for a global manufacturing company.

After the course I got a post as a psychologist in a medium-sized consultancy in the South East, gaining a wide range of experience in marketing and tendering for business, facilitating management development and leadership training, assessment/development centres and psychometric testing, individual profiling and career development.

What I most enjoy about occupational psychology is being able to develop an idea into a practical and commercial proposal that the client accepts and is inspired by, and that brings tangible benefits for the organisation. I also gain great satisfaction from coaching, the privilege of sharing an individual’s personal journey and supporting them in reaching their goals. Less enjoyable is the necessary chore of producing tenders for work that may be rejected and working with larger and more impersonal groups. I have enough experience to become chartered now but need to write it up.

My tips for aspiring occupational psychologists are:

• use every opportunity to gain business experience before, during and after your studies as this is as important as your academic qualifications;
• if your work experience is not in psychology or HR, shape it to gain relevant skills;
• use every opportunity to develop and maintain a network of contacts for business and support;
• identify a mentor who can help you and your career develop.

Case Study sourced by Ed Riddick of AGCAS, 23 October 2009.