For this week’s IOHRM Student Spotlight, we are featuring second-year IOHRM student Natalie Del Rey (she goes by Nati), who is a dual degree candidate for the IOHRM program as well as the MBA program. Let’s get to know about her experiences as a graduate student here at Appalachian State and hear what she has to say to prospective students!
Journey to IOHRM
As an undergrad, Nati didn’t initially know about I/O psychology or human resource management (HRM) as career paths. With an undergraduate background in general psychology, she initially considered pursuing a clinical graduate degree. However, after taking an introductory course in IO psychology, the class opened her eyes to the I/O psychology field and its potential to combine her interests in business and psychology. Nati’s experience in business administration further pushed her to decide to pursue a career in HR, as HR’s role greatly influences the success of a business. When it came time to choose a graduate program, Appalachian State stood out as a top choice for her. The IOHRM program’s unique combination of I/O psychology and HRM aligned perfectly with her career aspirations. Conversations with current graduate students at the time revealed a team-oriented learning environment that was less competitive and more community-focused, which was the campus culture she was looking for.
Exploring Interests as a Current Student
Nati’s primary interests within the IOHRM program center around performance-related topics, like performance appraisal and management. She is particularly interested in how employee behavior can be influenced through management strategies and company-wide changes. Her previous experiences have shown her that business leaders often approach problems differently than employees, so HR professionals must be equipped with creative problem-solving rooted in principles of psychology and management in order to effectively engage all levels of an organization. Key classes like Performance Management have provided practical knowledge, especially when paired with her summer internship at Forvis Mazars. Nati mentions that she completed her internship before taking the course, which helped her reflect on and improve her practical skills. Beyond academics, Nati has embraced the importance of being open-minded and actively seeking out opportunities within the program and on campus. These include events, sessions, and extracurricular activities like Beans2Brew and Society for HRM (SHRM).
Advice for Prospective Students
For those considering the IOHRM program, especially those who may be unsure of their specific interests, Nati offers this advice: embrace the variety of opportunities available to you. Unlike other programs, App State’s IOHRM program provides a well-rounded education that prepares students for diverse career paths. She also highlights the program’s unique position as the only dual-disciplinary I/O psychology program in the country. For students looking to expand their horizons further than just psychology, dual-degree options like the MBA or MSADA have been aligned to work seamlessly with the IOHRM program.
Looking Ahead
The IOHRM program has helped Nati streamline her career goals. Her vision for the future includes working with large organizations in corporate settings to gain more professional experience and learn from industry leaders. Eventually, she hopes to transition to smaller businesses, where she can make a more significant impact with that expertise. Nati’s ultimate goal is to become an HR Business Partner (HR BP), which balances administrative responsibilities with strategic initiatives. Her time in the IOHRM program has laid a strong foundation for this path, with courses structured to provide a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical application over these two years.
We’d like to thank Nati for the insight into her growth as a student and her experiences as a working professional. We look forward to seeing what she will continue to accomplish!
