When we think about career advice, we often hear the same old tips: “Follow the money,” “Pick something prestigious,” “Stick to a clear path.” But in this conversation on Business Schooled, industrial psychologist Denise Hartsoch turned that logic on its head.
Denise’s message is simple but powerful: To build a meaningful career, start by understanding yourself. What motivates you? Where do your true strengths lie? What environments bring out your best? It’s not just about chasing titles or salaries — it’s about aligning what you love with what you’re naturally good at.
Through her work with IBM, Denise helped create tools like the “Tech Type Quiz,” which gives people quick, actionable insights into career pathways they might not have considered. It’s a reminder that career exploration isn’t a one-time decision — it’s a process of ongoing discovery.
Psychology, Denise explains, has a hand in almost every aspect of business: marketing strategies, employee engagement, leadership development, even mergers and acquisitions. And with AI now helping to personalize learning and career development, understanding human behavior is more important than ever.
For anyone entering the workforce today, Denise offers timeless advice: Know yourself. Stay flexible. Never stop learning. And seek out mentors and support systems that will help you stretch beyond the obvious.
In a world where the jobs of tomorrow haven’t even been invented yet, the best investment you can make is in understanding — and believing in — your own potential.