Through experiencing and observing the significant impact that workplace environments can have on employee’s health and well-being, Rebecca Brossoit ’15 PhD became interested in resolving problems in demanding work settings. Stress at work, safety concerns, long hours, and varying schedules can all take a toll on our mental and physical health, also leading to more stress at home. As an assistant professor at Louisiana State University (LSU) in the Industrial/Organizational (I/O) Psychology Program, Brossoit strives to improve the lives of employees at work and set them on a path to better health. Within the specialty of Occupational Health Psychology (OHP), she applies research to real-world settings, promoting positive change in the workplace.
Rachel Siegal ‘16 is currently specializing in Community Psychology within the Health Psychology PhD Program at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. This program has allowed her to partner with local organizations and communities on projects that have a significant impact. Through her experience as a researcher and evaluator, Siegal has witnessed first-hand how an individual’s wellbeing is shaped by their environment. A person’s family, neighborhood, and education—as well as the larger systems and policies in place within our communities—all influence health and well-being. “Not only do we want to promote well-being for all, but we want to address the disparities that currently exist for different groups,” she notes.
Check out this great presentation by Social Psychology Alumna Jane Stout, PhD! She discusses her journey along a non-faculty career track within psychology. Jane shares many great career development tips, insights into how she landed each of her jobs, and ways to manage work/life balance and find work that is fulfilling to you.
This presentation is geared towards social psychology grad students, but is useful to anyone considering a psychology career in industry.
Improving childhood learning using interactive media
Heather Kirkorian, Laura M. Secord Chair in Early Childhood Development and Professor of Human Development and Family Studies at the University of Wisconsin—Madison began her career as a developmental psychologist at UMass Amherst under the mentorship of Professor Emeritus Dan Anderson. They explored the effects of educational media on childhood learning and attention, seeking out ways to make programming more beneficial.