A Passion for Development – Isabel Cortes

“During my undergraduate experience, I took a course that featured a different leader from various fields of psychology each week. One time, an industrial-organizational (I-O) psychologist came to speak to the class. It gave me a new perspective on the field of psychology. My curiosity kept me up until the early hours of the morning researching “what is an I-O psychologist,” “I-O psychologist research,” and “I-O psychology careers.” I was fascinated by and gravitated to the field. 

I chose Meredith because I got the sense that the faculty deeply cared about the I-O field when I attended an information session. My academic experience at Meredith has been one of my favorite life experiences. From the very beginning, it was clear that our professors were deeply invested in our success. They provided the help and support needed to navigate our classes. I was balancing school full-time with a full-time job and was worried it’d be difficult in a master’s program. However, the support and flexibility of the Meredith I-O program made it possible. I am very fortunate that both the faculty and my employer provided the autonomy and motivation needed to overcome this challenge.

Additionally, I was worried about losing my favorite strength, my creativity, as I previously had a career in art but I was mistaken. What is great about the Meredith I-O program is that every professor and faculty member will sit down with you and help you expand your ideas. Throughout the program, I felt my ideas growing and evolving. I thrive on being creative in my day-to-day life and the I-O program expanded my creativity into new realms that I had not previously envisioned.

As a first-generation student, I initially prided myself on my independence, wanting to tackle each obstacle on my own. However, my time at Meredith has taught me the invaluable lesson of embracing support. The faculty and community at Meredith have shown me that seeking help isn’t a sign of weakness, but a pathway to growth. I’ve learned that balancing independence with the willingness to seek and accept help is key to personal and professional development.

My cohort at Meredith was incredible. We all came from diverse backgrounds but shared a common goal of success and dedication to helping each other thrive. Our cohort group chat was filled with motivation, support, and daily funny antics that broke up hours of reading or studying. The professors and my peers created an environment where collaboration and encouragement were the norm. It was immensely motivating to be surrounded by a community that genuinely wanted to see each other succeed. This sense of partnership and collective ambition made the challenges of the graduate program manageable and enriched my overall experience, fostering lifelong friendships.

One important aspect of my Meredith experience that prepared me for my career was the development of networking skills. Joe Mazzola, the director of the program, emphasized the importance of networking from our very first day of class. Initially, I did not fully understand the true value of networking but, over time, these skills became invaluable. They helped me build confidence in speaking with professionals and achieve my professional goals. The emphasis on practical, hands-on learning at Meredith ensured that I was well-prepared to navigate the complexities of networking in the professional world.

In my current position, I am split between two functions, employee relations & training and development. My primary responsibility is to train leadership in the company on essential HR practices. This involves designing and delivering training sessions to ensure our leaders are equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills. Additionally, I handle employee relations, which has been key to developing my problem-solving and conflict-resolution skills. 

During the program, I discovered my passion for the development field. One of my professional goals is to become a director of leadership or learning development. Additionally, I aspire to conduct more research on Latino leadership. I am proud to be a member of the Latino community with a master’s degree and want to use my knowledge to advocate for more diverse leadership within organizations.

In the long term, one of my major personal goals is to open a coffee shop, cat café, or some type of business in my hometown of Greensboro, N.C., that provides job opportunities for adults with disabilities. By combining my previous experience working with children and adults with autism and my I-O skills, I can foster a workplace culture that is inclusive, equitable, and supportive of the unique needs of individuals with disabilities.”