Arbeits-, Organisations- und Wirtschaftspsychologie, Master 1-Fach

Hatten Sie während des Studiums die Möglichkeit, praktische Erfahrungen zu sammeln? Wenn ja, in welcher Form?

Yes, several. I did an internship at a management consulting firm while I was still working on my bachelor’s degree, and I subsequently worked there as a student employee. During my master’s program, I wanted to explore additional areas, so I took a semester off to do a six-month internship in a company’s HR department. Later, I did another internship at an in-house consulting firm. During my final semester, I worked as a student employee in thyssenkrupp’s in-house consulting division—and that’s where I joined the company full-time after graduation.

I was also active in the student consulting firm Campus for Company. There, I was able to work on exciting topics alongside motivated fellow students and take on responsibility in projects early on.

Was war die größte Herausforderung im Studienalltag und wie haben sie diese gemeistert?

One of the biggest challenges was organizing the numerous group projects, which play a central role in the program. Often, several group projects in different modules ran simultaneously, which required strong organizational skills. It was crucial to coordinate well with group members, set clear sub-goals, and divide the work in a structured way. It was particularly helpful to meet in person regularly and work on the projects together. This improved not only efficiency but also group dynamics.

Welche Tipps für einen erfolgreichen Berufseinstieg können Sie den Studierenden geben?

Wie ging es für Sie nach dem Studium weiter? Wie sind Sie zu ihrem aktuellen Job gekommen?

After graduating, I joined thyssenkrupp Management Consulting—thyssenkrupp’s in-house consulting firm—right away, where I now work as a senior consultant. I landed the position through my previous job as a student employee. Many of my former classmates had similar experiences; internships and student employee positions can therefore be very helpful when starting your career.

Wie sieht Ihr Arbeitsalltag aktuell aus?

My day-to-day work is incredibly diverse. In internal consulting, I work on strategic topics within the corporate group on a project basis, often with shifting focuses and areas of expertise. I collaborate closely with colleagues and clients, frequently in interdisciplinary teams. I’m currently working on a project in the HR field, where I’m able to draw on and apply much of what I learned in my studies.

Wieso haben Sie sich damals für Ihr Studienfach entschieden?

I’ve always been interested in how people in organizations think, make decisions, and collaborate, and how these processes can be specifically improved. The combination of psychology and business was therefore ideal for me. I found it particularly exciting that the program covers topics such as organizational development, decision-making behavior, leadership, and aptitude assessment in a way that is both scientifically grounded and practical. Since I had already completed my bachelor’s degree in business psychology at Ruhr University Bochum and had really enjoyed my studies there, it was an easy decision for me to stay at the same department for my master’s degree.

Wussten Sie schon im Studium, in welchem Bereich Sie einmal arbeiten möchten?

From the very beginning, I had my sights set on three areas: external management consulting, internal management consulting, and HR. Through targeted internships and part-time student jobs, I got to know all three and was thus able to make a decision. In the end, internal consulting appealed to me the most—because of the mix of strategic work, close client interaction, and a steep learning curve.

Hatten Sie während des Studiums die Möglichkeit, praktische Erfahrungen zu sammeln? Wenn ja, in welcher Form?

Yes, definitely! That was incredibly helpful for me in gaining a clearer understanding of my interests. I actually did my first internship during my bachelor’s program at a child and juvenile psychiatric clinic, where I gained my first insights into the clinical field. At the same time, I’ve been active with Campus for Company e.V.—RUB’s student-run psychological management consulting firm—since my bachelor’s program. There, I was introduced to topics in business psychology and human resources. This was followed by internships at the university and at a large corporation. During my master’s program, I was able to further deepen my expertise through an internship in corporate health management. I’m currently working as a student employee at a consulting firm specializing in workplace culture and change. This allows me to apply my knowledge directly to projects and gain valuable experience in organizational development and human resources development.

Was war die größte Herausforderung im Studienalltag und wie haben sie diese gemeistert?

The biggest challenge for me was the transition from my bachelor’s to my master’s degree. It was an adjustment not only academically but also socially. Part of my old network was gone, and I first had to find my footing again in a new environment. In the process, I realized how important it is to stay flexible, reach out to others with an open mind, and take care of myself—especially when it comes to social connections and my own well-being. Over time, I’ve built new routines, met wonderful people, and learned how valuable it is to try new things and keep my eyes open.

Welche Tipps für einen erfolgreichen Berufseinstieg können Sie den Studierenden geben?

My most important tip: Try out a lot of different things! Exploring various fields, doing internships, or working as a student employee helps you figure out what really suits you, and you’ll make valuable connections along the way. Being open-minded, staying curious, and having the courage to try new things always pays off in the long run.

Wie ging es für Sie nach dem Studium weiter? Wie sind Sie zu ihrem aktuellen Job gekommen?

I'm currently still working on my master's degree, so I haven't started my official career yet. However, through my internships and part-time student jobs so far, I've already gained a lot of insight and now have a pretty clear idea of the direction I want to take. Right now, I'm planning to complete a coaching certification program before moving into consulting.

Wie sieht Ihr Arbeitsalltag aktuell aus?

Wieso haben Sie sich damals für Ihr Studienfach entschieden?

I originally began my bachelor’s degree in General Psychology at Ruhr University Bochum (RUB) with the goal of eventually working as a therapist. During my studies, I was able to discover through seminars, internships, and part-time jobs just how diverse and broad the field of psychology actually is. Particularly valuable for me were the experiences I gained in the “Applied Psychology, Work, and Health” course at Ruhr University Bochum and through my involvement with the student-run psychological consulting firm Campus for Company e.V. at RUB, which gave me a very broad insight into various fields. It was then that I discovered my deep passion for work and organizational psychology. After all, work takes up a large part of our lives, and I want to help ensure that people can work under good and healthy conditions. It motivates me greatly when I can positively influence the daily lives of others through my work. That is why I ultimately decided to specialize in work, organizational, and business psychology and subsequently began my master’s degree at the RUB in this field.

Wussten Sie schon im Studium, in welchem Bereich Sie einmal arbeiten möchten?

Ever since my bachelor’s degree, I’ve been particularly drawn to the intersection of psychology, work, and organization. That’s why I’ve increasingly focused on workplace health management and organizational consulting—and that’s exactly the career path I’d like to pursue in the future. Recently, I’ve also become more and more interested in topics related to coaching and consulting, and I’d like to combine these areas. The practical aspects of my degree program have also shown me that I really thrive in creative work and that I truly enjoy conceptual problem-solving. I hope to continue applying these skills in my daily professional life.

Hatten Sie während des Studiums die Möglichkeit, praktische Erfahrungen zu sammeln? Wenn ja, in welcher Form?

It really helped me to get involved early on and explore all possibilities. I believe the field of business psychology has a very promising future—especially in this age of technological advancement, interpersonal aspects are becoming increasingly important. And this can manifest in many areas: So explore a wide range of opportunities and say “yes”—you have plenty of (work) time to start over at any point. Trust in the soft skills you’ve developed and what sets you apart from others, and the right opportunities will present themselves. 

Was war die größte Herausforderung im Studienalltag und wie haben sie diese gemeistert?

The biggest challenge, of course, was having to organize everything on my own: I had moved out of my parents’ house, was living alone, and had to balance my personal life with my studies. While in high school everyone tells you what to do and when, college requires a lot more self-organization: reviewing material, giving presentations, and writing papers. What helped me the most was the sense of community and the interaction with other students—especially the cross-cohort exchange from day one. That way, I quickly got tips and was able to improve from semester to semester. 

Welche Tipps für einen erfolgreichen Berufseinstieg können Sie den Studierenden geben?

It became clear relatively quickly that I have a real knack for consulting, training, and coaching, as well as aptitude testing. However, since these fields are so diverse, I wasn’t yet sure exactly which specific position at which company I’d like to hold. It was important to me to have an interesting role that I enjoy. My time at Campus for Company e.V. gave me exactly that—a diverse, varied, and challenging role. That’s why I decided to start my own business in the industry while I was still in college. 

Wie ging es für Sie nach dem Studium weiter? Wie sind Sie zu ihrem aktuellen Job gekommen?

I don’t really have a set daily routine—every day is different. There are projects, employee-related issues and discussions, and day-to-day business. Psychology helps me with this every day: wherever I’m working with people on various issues, the self-management, communication, reflection, analytical skills, and action-oriented approach I’ve learned come in handy. The important thing is that I enjoy my work every day—no matter what the task at hand is.

Wie sieht Ihr Arbeitsalltag aktuell aus?

I took psychology as a subject in school—I found it fascinating from day one and could imagine combining my interest in biology, math, and people. However, I knew I didn’t want to become a psychotherapist, so I researched what other career paths there were in psychology. That’s when I came across business psychology. The idea of improving people’s work lives really appealed to me—after all, we spend more than half our lives working. That’s why I chose this major, and I haven’t regretted it for a single minute. 

Wieso haben Sie sich damals für Ihr Studienfach entschieden?

In addition to the mandatory internship, we also regularly encountered real-world examples in the seminars for our individual courses. Furthermore, starting in my second semester, I got involved with the student consulting firm Campus for Company e.V.—without realizing it, this would later shape my entire career. For me, this was a great opportunity to gain practical experience alongside my studies right from the start and to develop a clearer picture of what the field entailed. Since, being the child of working-class parents, I had no other exposure to academic careers, this really helped me find my direction and develop my strengths. 

Wussten Sie schon im Studium, in welchem Bereich Sie einmal arbeiten möchten?

Starting my own business while I was still in college really helped me. In a short time, I got to know a variety of projects, topics, people, and companies. From then on, it was relatively easy: I was able to be and remain self-employed at any time. At the same time, however, it was also important to me to experience what it’s like to be an employee. I initially worked at the university as a research assistant, but since practical work suits me better, I took a position in human resources development. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I dared to make a fresh start once again, and today—in addition to my freelance work—I work for a large corporation, originally in aptitude testing and now in a leadership position in an operational HR department. It was important to rely on the skills I developed during my studies alongside my subject-matter expertise. That has always opened doors for me and continues to help me today.