1. What aspects of the course did you find most valuable?

The lecturers were without doubt one of the most valuable elements of the course – they all have such relevant and extensive practical experience and examples, strong academic reputations and have also been so down-to-earth, supportive and approachable.

2. How have you applied the knowledge or skills gained from the program in your current role or career?

Knowledge of the psychological principles that enhance employee wellbeing, performance and behaviour in organisations has supported me to take a more evidence-based approach to strategies and advice that I implement in my role.

3. What impact has completing the course had on your professional growth or opportunities?

As I have an Undergraduate Degree in Business Management, I have found the knowledge and skills learnt in Business Psychology have been invaluable for my career in Human Resources and have helped me to transition into my preferred specialism of Organisational Development.

4. What would you say to someone considering enrolling in the program?

Regardless of your academic background, this course will provide invaluable knowledge, key skills, practical experience for you to contribute positively and effectively to the experience of people within organisations, ultimately improving that experience for people themselves and the organisation as a whole.

5. Is there a specific moment or project during the course that stood out for you?

The Work Design unit is a real foundation course that gives you skills to support the rest of the GCBP and beyond – the practical simulation we did as part of this course provided a lightbulb moment for myself and many others in how slightly changing the work design conditions of people in organisations can dramatically change the result for both people and the organisation.

6. Why did you choose UWA?

The flexible study options, relevant course content and prestigious reputation of the university were the first things that attracted me to UWA. The course was practical, interesting and directly relatable to my career and along with this, as I was living in NSW at the time and working full-time, the course was flexible for part-time and online study.

1. What aspects of the course did you find most valuable?

Teamwork unit – The concept of 'Psychological Safety' was more lighthouse than lightbulb moment. At the time of study I had 3 areas aligning to make this so valuable, learning the science behind what I'd sensed and felt in teams for decades, experiencing group therapy as an out-patient, watching how clinicians created psychological safety to support our growth at the most challenging of times and volunteering at a mental health charity helping create psychological safety as part of a return-to-work plan.

Work Design unit – ‘Dark lightbulb’ moments of deep reflection on how me and workplaces impacted each other during stressful times. Understanding the science of job demands and resources helped make my subjective experience more objective and was somewhat therapeutic, replacing anger and resentment with purpose and hope. This helped shape my own return to work plan and the moments of thriving I now experience at work.

Human & Org Factors in Managing WHS OHS unit - Understanding the science of safety whilst sharing my experience of the 'nuances' of implementation as a safety professional. Learning evidence-based concepts to challenge ill-informed opinions and knee-jerk reactions in safety was and is still very valuable.

Leadership unit - This prompted a lot of reflection on the leader I’ve been, I am and seek to become. Most importantly it helped develop a mantra that ‘leaders are people’ and may also need support.

2. How have you applied the knowledge or skills gained from the program in your current role or career?

Psychological Safety - As a trainer in mental health, safety, leadership and like skills I have ongoing practice in creating psychological safety to help people learn. You could say “I’ve found my why”. As a certified ‘Fearless Organization’ practitioner I now support teams to increase psychological safety for themselves, bringing the research into the ‘real world’.

Job Demands / Psychosocial Hazards – The knowledge of job demands gained in the Work Design unit led me to develop a deep understanding of Psychosocial Hazards and the WHS Codes of Practice. This is applied continually in my role as a training facilitator, raising awareness of what is a relatively new area to most, but resonates with people’s experiences of work.

3. What impact has completing the course had on your professional growth or opportunities?

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) - I was introduced to Mental Health First Aid during a team assignment in the WHS unit. Seeing the potential for me to combine lived experience with an evidence-based program I went on to become an accredited Instructor. In the time since, I’ve delivered over 30 MHFA courses, mostly for Lifeline for several years now. It also opened several long-term relationships to deliver other mental health training which are ongoing.

Australian Institute of Health and Safety (AIHS) – During the WHS unit we studied chapters of the AIHS Body of Knowledge (BoK), a source of credible, practical advice to help safety professionals think more critically, be more effective and bring rational thought to issues of high emotion. As an AIHS member I started and continue to facilitate ‘BoK Breakfast’ networking events to advocate for the BoK whilst bringing safety and related professionals together. This gives me the opportunity to have a direct positive impact, again bringing the research to the ‘real world’.

Facilitating and Consultancy – Having GCBP qualification has supported my credibility as a facilitator and consultant. Its helped demonstrate my commitment to evidence-based and informed practice, resulting in long term business relationships with several credible Education organisations.

4. What would you say to someone considering enrolling in the program?

People have often asked, "Business Psych, that sounds interesting, what does it cover?" My explanation is the science of how work impacts our thinking, feelings and behaviour and vice-versa. As people we can be anywhere on the spectrum from severe mental illness to thriving and we bring this to our work. The GCBP course helps us understand how to reduce harm at work but also potentially make good work which supports our health. This reaches way outside the workplace, impacting us, our families and those around us, promoting a healthier society.

To truly get the most from the course, be prepared to embrace in sometimes uncomfortable self-reflection and learn from your own experiences of work. The course will help you identify learnings from work experiences which have been good and bad, helpful and unhelpful, toxic and thriving. The GCBP will help you learn credible, evidence-based methods of creating healthier, more effective workplaces.

5. Why did you choose UWA?

The GCBP appeared to be the best way to combine my safety background and lived experience of mental illness in the workplace with learning credible approaches to help. Being aware that our effectiveness is a combination of what we bring plus the environment we are in, it was important to feel that UWA would be that supportive environment.

During the initial call with the course leader I sensed passion, enthusiasm and a level of care which made a huge impact. The eagerness to have a ‘mature’ student share experience helped me feel a sense of worth. This proved true and I’m grateful for the human touch of the teaching staff.