This week, we highlight our second-year student, Natalee Jamerson, whose journey blends leadership development with a strong interest in organizational change. Through this curiosity and drive, she has shaped a graduate school path that is both meaningful and rewarding.
Journey to IOHRM
Natalee’s journey to the IOHRM program began after she completed her undergraduate degree at Christopher Newport University and spent two years working as a leadership consultant for Delta Gamma Fraternity. In this role, she found herself immersed in leadership development, team dynamics, coaching, risk evaluation, and implementing organizational change (ex. recruitment). As her time in that role came to a close, she began asking herself what she wanted to do with her life. By reaching out to trusted undergraduate faculty, they helped her find the answer by introducing her to the field of I/O psychology and the Society for I/O Psychology (SIOP). Natalee realized that she was more drawn to the psychological side of business than to business alone. The IOHRM program at Appalachian State stood out to her, not only for its reputation and uniqueness but because it offered a career path with strong future potential and a name that would be easily recognized by employers.
Exploring Interests as a Current Student
As a current student in the IOHRM program, Natalee has developed an interest in talent acquisition and people analytics beyond organizational development, change management, and leadership development. Her coursework, especially in organizational psychology, development, and training, has also deepened her understanding of these topics and allowed her to apply what she has learned directly to her internships. Her work with NASA and Navy Federal Credit Union has given her hands-on experience in training and organizational change management, bridging academic knowledge with real-world application. Through attending conferences, engaging with Blacks in I/O Psychology (BIOP), and working with mentors, Natalee has taken full advantage of opportunities to explore and connect learning with practice. Her graduate assistantship work as an advocate for sorority life has served as a kind of real-time, mini case study in leadership and organizational transitions. These experiences have helped her understand how to manage change and adapt strategies in high-turnover, high-stakes environments.
Essential Skills and Insights Gained
In terms of important skills, she shares time management as the number one skill she has developed in graduate school. With heavy involvement in multiple projects and roles, she has had to become extremely organized, relying on tools like Google Calendar to keep everything on track. She also highlights the importance of effective communication, especially the ability to tailor tone and content for different audiences. Adaptability, both in communication and in personal study techniques, has been vital to her success. For students coming from different educational backgrounds or with knowledge gaps, finding a study strategy that works is very important.
Advice for Prospective Students
Natalee encourages prospective students to take time to really think about what they want from graduate school. Are they looking for a research-heavy program? A balance between research and community? What kind of environment are they hoping to live and learn in? Once those factors are identified, she strongly recommends reaching out to current students to get honest feedback about the program’s benefits and areas for improvement. What you read online won’t always reflect the day-to-day reality of being in the program. Finally, she emphasizes the importance of flexibility. There will be opportunities you didn’t expect, and it is key to stay open to them.
Looking Ahead
Natalee’s initial goal post-graduation is simple: get a well-paying job, and she has already achieved that (Congratulations!). After her summer internship at Navy Federal Credit Union, she received an official offer to become a full-time Change Manager. Beyond that, she’s using what she’s learned in IOHRM to build out a five-year plan, working closely with mentors to define the next steps. She has also found immense value in pursuing the M.S. Advanced Data Analytics (MSADA) dual degree, which has introduced her to some of the best courses and faculty she has experienced. Through it all, her biggest takeaway is the importance of finding enjoyment outside the program. “The best thing you can do is step out of the program and find new things that bring you joy.”
We are thankful that Natalee is offering a glimpse into her graduate school experience. Her story shows how being willing to chase what excites you can lead to incredible opportunities. We are so excited to see what she takes on next!
