What makes a workplace truly well?
It’s not yoga classes and kombucha on tap, it's leadership, culture, and thoughtful design.
In this episode of ConnectED, we sit down with Dr. Patricia Grabarek, an I/O psychologist, author of Leading for Wellness, and co-founder of Workr Beeing. From researching personality typologies at Penn State to advising global organizations, Patricia shares how her PhD journey helped her build a career centered on making work better—for everyone.
We discuss:
➤ How she found her way to I/O Psychology after studying stress in health contexts
➤ What to look for (beyond rankings) when choosing a PhD program
➤ Her dissertation on personality types and performance in emotional labor roles
➤ What it's really like to write a dissertation while working full-time
➤ Strategies for staying connected to academia while thriving in industry
Patricia also offers real-talk advice on writing, advisor dynamics, identity shifts, and how to communicate research in ways that actually make an impact.
Resources Mentioned:
➤ Leading for Wellness by Patricia Grabarek and Katina Sawyer
➤ PhD Comics – A lifesaving laugh for every stressed-out scholar
➤ Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP) Annual Conference
➤ APA Journal Access (for staying connected to research in practice)
Connect with Dr. Patricia Grabarek:
➤ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patriciagrabarek
➤ Website: https://workrbeeing.com/book/
➤ Podcast: Workr Beeing on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen
Follow Me for More:
➤ Instagram: @connected.phd
➤ LinkedIn: Haille Trimboli
➤ YouTube: @theconnectednetwork
➤ Spotify: ConnectED Podcast
❤️ Love this episode? Share it with a fellow PhD, tag a friend who needs a dose of workplace inspiration, and leave a review!
We’re here to normalize the messy middle, celebrate the journey, and stay ConnectED.
#PhDJourney #IOLife #WorkplaceWellness #LeadershipDevelopment #PhDToIndustry #WomenInPsychology #ConnectEDPod #WellbeingAtWork #AcademicToIndustry #LeadingForWellness
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