Meaghan Hansen '17
M.A. Industrial- Organizational Psychology and Human Resource Management
From Charlotte, N.C.
THEN
Alumna, Meaghan Hansen, says she feels extremely fortunate to have attended Appalachian State University and the Industrial-Organizational Psychology and Human Resource Management (IOHRM) program in the Department of Psychology. Her success as a professional has benefitted from the network that she was able to build during her time at Appalchian.
“In fact, it is because of my network that I had the opportunity to interview and eventually work in the role I have today,” said Hansen.
According to Hansen, the IOHRM curriculum experience centered around courses that expanded off of one another, continuously building knowledge of IO constructs and HR practices. A course on organizational development helped Hansen apply her education to the “real world” while also allowing students to partner with businesses on real projects.
“[The experience] truly pushed us to think outside of the education mindset and apply all our knowledge in a true business setting,” said Hansen.
She recalls Dr. Shawn Bergman, a professor in the Department of Psychology, as being the person that impacted her the most as a student. “He gave me the opportunity to build confidence in my own intelligence and work on projects that exposed me to many individuals on campus and in the community, said Hansen. ”Without him, I don't believe I would have found my passion for analytics or the ability to not only trust myself, but to trust my peers and colleagues.”
Photo of Meghan Hansen posing in front of the Yosef statue with a friend during her time at Appalachian. Photo submitted
NOW
Hansen currently works for AmerisourceBergen, a Human Resources Business Partner (HRBP). Hansen says, “The best way to describe an HRBP role is as internal consultants aligned to business units and leaders. We identify areas of opportunities and lead or partner on cross-functional projects.” She also mentions the most important, and enjoyable, aspect of her job centers around the relationships with leaders that enable her to support trusting, open communication for more successful change management activities and standardization in the workplace.
After graduation, Hansen’s first role was as a compensation analyst, supporting multiple projects that exposed her to global compensation, technology platforms, cross-functional teams and data integrity/statistics. Although Hansen says she enjoyed this position, she decided to transition into an HRBP role to better align to her personal career goals and objectives. She attributes her time at Appalachian with the skill building needed to settle into a d role that allowed her to think strategically and holistically. Hansen values good communication skills the most in any of her colleagues, explaining that it is important to professionally express your thoughts verbally and in writing.
As for current students, Hansen says to keep two main things in mind: Learning how to complete a VLOOKUP in Excel, the sooner the better, and to reject any fear of asking questions or voicing your opinion.
Hansen is most grateful for the relationships she built within the IOHRM community, describing it as the “most collaborative and supportive environment” she experienced throughout all her time at Appalachian.
Recent picture of Meghan Hansen at Appalachian State University 2019 Human Resource Summit. Photo submitted
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About the Dr. Wiley F. Smith Department of Psychology
Appalachian’s Dr. Wiley F. Smith Department of Psychology serves more than 1,000 undergraduate majors seeking the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree in psychology, as well as 80 graduate students in three master’s programs (experimental psychology, school psychology, and industrial-organizational psychology and human resource management) and the clinical psychology (Psy.D.) doctoral program. Learn more at https://psych.appstate.edu.
About the Department of Management
The Department of Management offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs to prepare students for managerial responsibilities in today’s dynamic environment. Learn more at https://management.appstate.edu.
Compiled and written by Barclay Ann Blankenship and Ellen Gwin Burnette
June 22, 2020
BOONE, N.C.
Then and Now Alumna: Meaghan Hansen
Recent picture of Meghan Hansen at Appalachian State University 2019 Human Resource Summit. Photo submitted