Alicia Hänsel completed her bachelor’s degree in B.Sc. Medien- und Wirtschaftspsychologie (Media and Business Psychology, German only) at the Media University in Frankfurt with an excellent grade. The topic of her thesis is not only interesting, but also so well chosen that the abstract was published by an academic publisher. Hänsel has already gained experience as a working student in a coaching company and wants to further develop her skills in business psychology in her master’s degree starting next semester.
Your bachelor’s thesis was rated “very good” and an abstract was even published in a scientific publishing house. What was the topic and how did you come up with it in connection with your degree program?
The topic was “The mutual influence of personality structure, selective use of Instagram and orthorexia nervosa (this means the compulsive preoccupation with healthy eating)”. I have been very interested in the area of personality since the beginning of my studies, and so it quickly became clear to me that this topic should also be part of my work. The “Instagram” component was particularly interesting for the current time, as there are not really any studies in this area yet, but we all deal with it every day. I didn’t really know about the “orthorexia nervosa” diet before my thesis, but I talked a lot with my supervisor about the topic of nutrition, and so we came up with the idea of incorporating this relatively unknown phenomenon into my work.
How did the research and writing of the thesis go and how did the publication come about?
The research was very time-consuming, but it made writing a lot easier afterwards. I quickly decided on a specific path in personality psychology so as not to be overwhelmed by the amount of information. There was very little material on Orthorexia Nervosa, but this helped me because it allowed me to concentrate on the essential facts of the topic. I think that the exclusivity of the work in particular contributed greatly to the publication. The topic is specific because it relates to three independent components (personality, Instagram, Orthorexia Nervosa) and because ON (short for Orthorexia Nervosa) is an as yet unknown topic.
You did your internship at Liebherr, one of the largest construction machinery manufacturers. How did you experience your time there and what did you learn from it?
During my time at Liebherr I worked in HR marketing and was tasked with improving the reputation of the HR department with a communications concept. During this time, I noticed that in large companies, it is often difficult to get approval from above to take a step forward with your project. Probably my biggest realization was that such a traditional company is not the right place for me to work and that I attach great importance to realizing my potential.
You currently work in a coaching company. What are your tasks there and what content does your degree reflect?
My main tasks are creating and supporting workshops. Together with my boss, I create workshops from A-Z on topics such as “teams, leadership, communication, personality, stress management, conflict management…”. In addition to the thematic overlaps from my degree, I also find important skills that my degree taught me. For example, presentation skills, precise work and communication in working life.
What are your plans for the future and what tips do you have for students who are studying your degree and also want to gain a lot of experience?
After my Master’s in Business Psychology, I would like to gain further experience in the field of coaching, but also in the field of personnel development and find the best path for me. During my studies, I learned that you can only be happy if your job really makes you happy. That is exactly my goal.
The main tip I can give for your degree is that being well-attended at lectures is very beneficial. You learn a lot in addition to the lecture slides. Discussions and conversations often arise from which you can learn something worth knowing.
