Student Highlights
Influencing the psychology of ‘work’

After initially enrolling in a double degree in Business and IT, Newcastle local Michael felt the urge to change direction.

“I realised that my primary interest was in understanding people,” said Michael.

He enrolled in a Bachelor of Psychological science and hasn’t looked back.

Michael has drawn deep inspiration from his grandfather, Trevor Waring AM, former Chancellor and Conjoint Professor at the University of Newcastle.

“My mentor, role model, and career inspiration is my grandfather.

“He had goals to use psychological science at a large scale, like founding the Everymind organisation in 1992, a leader in mental health and suicide prevention.

“I hope I am able to contribute to society like he did,” Michael said.

At the end of his undergraduate studies, Michael knew he didn’t want to go on to become a practicing psychologist delivering therapy.

“I have profound respect for those who do, I just didn’t think I was suited to that role.

“I was more interested in applied and social psychology, where I could use science to inform behaviour change on a larger scale, either in the workplace or in the community,” he said.

The psychology of ‘work’ is both important and fascinating to Michael.

“I see work as not only a means to provide for yourself and your loved ones, but also as a way to develop and contribute to the world.

“Working in our current world takes up a lot of time and energy, both of which are exceptionally precious.

“Using science to make ‘work’ a healthy, meaningful, and fulfilling experience is a worthwhile cause. The Master of Business Psychology allows me to do that,” Michael said.

Michael says he’s enjoying the Master’s program and the diversity of courses available.

“There is a mix of depth and specificity, with the flexibility to explore more broadly with electives and directed courses.

“The flexibility has allowed me to explore different areas and perspectives, all of which I can draw on in my career," he said.

While studying, Michael found work in a graduate program for an organisational psychology consulting firm, Chandler Macleod Consulting.

“I have learnt and become accredited in a variety of top-of-the-range psychometric tools for selection of personnel and talent development.

“I have also received extensive mentoring and training in workshop development and facilitation, career coaching, and organisational diagnostics like culture and engagement.

“They are extremely accommodating and supportive to their grads, as they know the importance of education,” Michael said.

Looking to the future, Michael’s career goal is to work in research or policy consulting.

“I would love to be able to use my foundational knowledge of ‘behavioural science’ and understanding of how people make decisions and act in groups, and combine that with some hardcore modelling and statistical analysis.

“Hopefully this allows us to make stronger predictions and inferences and consequently make better decisions and outcomes for society," he said.

For those considering studying a Master of Business Psychology, Michael advises that ‘you get out what you put in’ and to make the program your own.

“I already feel more confident in myself and how I might contribute to the world, and I owe a lot of that to my time and education at the University of Newcastle,” he said.

Michael Waring

Inspired by his grandfather, Trevor Waring AM, former Chancellor and Conjoint Professor at the University of Newcastle, Michael is currently completing a Master of Business Psychology.