Our twentieth alumni presented in this series of Human of Psychology is Mirthe Vroom. She received her master’s degree in Positive Psychology & Technology in July 2017. Before that she completed the bachelor study Applied Psychology at Saxion University of Applied Sciences. She was admitted to the master Positive Psychology & Technology through the pre-master program at the University of Twente. She currently works at Siebert & Wassink, a Human Resources consultancy.
How long did it take to find your first job?
During my graduation, I started a traineeship at a mental health care institution, which was specialised in mental health care for employees. I attended the theoretical part of this traineeship during my graduation. The day after I received my master degree, I started practicing the job.
What are your tasks and responsibilities?
Currently, I am working at Siebert & Wassink, a Human Resources consultancy. The organisation offers a wide variety of HR services, for example recruitment and selection, assessments, interim management, organisation development and -consulting. My tasks encompass selection, development, leadership and career issues. Through assessments (interviews, roleplays and tests), we do an inventory to what extent the candidate matches the desired function. Or, what the career perspectives he/she has. After the inventory, we write a report and give an advice. Besides assessing people, I coach employees with a focus on development of personal qualities, attitude and behaviour. I also guide people to a new job, through outplacement.
What have you taken along your study which you now profit from?
I learned to put psychological methods and models into practice, because of my first study Applied Psychology. But my internships in particular had the most influence on my current way of thinking and acting. My first internship focused on diagnostic research. The second internship, during my master, was in a clinic centre for clients with a personality disorder (Kliniek De Boerhaven, Mediant). There, I gained knowledge of clinical psychotherapy and group schema therapy. A whole different view on psychological problems.
What do you hope to achieve in your career?
I hope that I may learn and develop every day of my working life, both personally and professionally. I want to broaden my perspective and learn how to use myself as a ‘tool’ in a professional way. In addition, I would like to provide a relevant contribution to society.
If you think about you study time, which memory comes up first?
Especially, the feeling of freedom, but also the friendships I have made. In addition, the professors and supervisors were a source of inspiration. They gave me valuable feedback, something I often think of, and try to incorporate in my daily work. Another fond memory is my membership of the board SPS-NIP Enschede. Together with the other board members we arranged activities and lectures, with the aim of diminishing the step to the work field for psychology students at the University of Twente.
Which tips and tricks would you like to give to current students?
Try to grab every chance to gain work/practical experience and to get to know (new) people.
Mirthe wrote a masterthesis in which her main objective was to gain more knowledge about the ability to predict general psychological functioning by the improvement in well-being of people with cluster B and C personality disorders. The research is part of a larger longitudinal study on the effects of inpatient group-schema therapy.
Any questions to Mirthe?
This alumni has given the opportunity to answer questions about his/her work. If you have a question you are invited to mail this questions to amygdala@utwente.nl. Our moderator will bring you in touch with the alumni, who will answer your questions. For direct career opportunities you are advised to get in touch with the Human Resources department of the employer.
Get in touch!
Do you know someone who has a nice job, has an inspiring career of otherwise is interesting to join the Humans of Psychology series? Please get them in touch with us. To be able to keep this series going more alumni are needed.
Published: June 17, 2019