Navigating Careers Through Experience: Lessons Learned Across a Changing I-O Landscape
Mike Heil
This session explores the evolving career landscape of industrial–organizational psychology through personal insights and lessons gained over more than 30 years in the field. Drawing on experience as an educator and as both an internal and external consultant across the private and public sectors, Mike reflects on how careers are shaped by change, risk-taking, learning from both successes and mistakes, mentoring, leadership transitions, and shifting personal and professional priorities.
Key topics include:
-
Learning from mistakes and failures, and using them as catalysts for growth rather than derailment
-
Adapting communication styles across roles, stakeholders, and career stages
-
The importance of being seen and heard, and taking intentional steps outside of one’s comfort zone
-
Navigating transitions from individual contributor to manager and leader, including learning when to delegate and when to step back
-
Rethinking leadership as enabling others to solve problems with support, rather than solving everything yourself
-
How motivation, goals, and values evolve over the course of a career, and recognizing when it may be time to pursue new challenges or directions
Rather than focusing on a single “ideal” career path, the session emphasizes how professionals can navigate uncertainty and make intentional decisions over time. Through real-world stories and reflections, from early career missteps to leadership challenges, Mike will share lessons that offer practical perspective on managing careers in a profession that continues to evolve.
This session is designed to support students, early-career professionals, and seasoned practitioners alike. Participants can expect to leave with practical insights they can apply to their own careers, helping them learn from experience, adapt to change, and continue growing as the field of I-O psychology evolves.
Thursday, January 29th (in-person and Zoom):
- 5:30 - 6:30 PM Presentation and Q&A
- 6:30 - 7:00 PM Optional Networking
Details:
- The presentation will go from 5:30 - 6:30 PM EST, followed by a networking session.
- This presentation will be in-person and a live webcast via Zoom.
- The in-person location will be at the MLK Library, Room 401-E which is on the 4th floor in the Conference Center.
-
- Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library: Room 401E; 901 G St NW, Washington, DC 20001
- The recorded webcast will be available to PTCMW members in the webcast library.
- Registration closes at 8:00 AM EST on the day of the event.
Students:
- Student members can sign up on the event registration for free. If you encounter any issues, please reach out to the Vice President (vp@ptcmw.org).
- Student non-members will need a registration code to sign up for the discounted rate of $5. Please email the Vice President (vp@ptcmw.org) your student email address.
Professionals:
- Professional Non-Members: $10
- Professional Members can sign up on the event registration for free. If you encounter any issues, please reach out to the Vice President (vp@ptcmw.org).
