Sophie Brooke

I am a Senior Talent Manager at Toast Inc., based in Los Angeles, CA. I developed practical knowledge and skills through my MPS in Applied Industrial and Organizational Psychology that enhanced my effectiveness as a talent acquisition manager, particularly in designing fair and valid selection systems. 

What was your specific area of study and how did you choose it? 

I chose the MPS in Applied Industrial and Organizational Psychology program because it blends two things that have always interested me: human behavior (why do people act the way they do?) and research. While working at Amazon, I had the opportunity to collaborate with a research scientist whose background in I-O psychology inspired me to pursue formal training—a huge thank you to that person for inspiring me and opening my eyes to the I-O field. I had initially been down an economics pathway, believing I would examine human behavior through that lens. Ultimately, this area of study is perfectly aligned with my interests in human behavior in the workplace. I sought to strengthen my research and analytical skills and develop a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to addressing complex workplace challenges. 

If you completed a dissertation, thesis, or capstone, please tell us about it. 

I completed a capstone project examining the individual effects of job satisfaction and psychological safety on organizational citizenship behaviors. Through this project, I gained hands-on research experience across the full project lifecycle, including study design, data collection, analysis, and presentation of findings. This project brought together the skills and knowledge I developed throughout the program, and working closely with my peers made the experience especially meaningful and led to lasting friendships.

How did your academic experiences in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences impact you? 

The pace of the program was fast, and the time truly flew by. My academic experiences in CHSS strengthened my analytical, writing, and critical thinking skills, expanded my data analysis abilities through programming, and reinforced the importance of effective time management. Just as importantly, the program reminded me that there is always more to learn—and that has been energizing. Working alongside my peers was the highlight of my experience; learning from their diverse backgrounds and approaches broadened my perspective and led to friendships deeper than I expected. The networking opportunities further enriched my learning and helped me better understand the range of career paths available within the field. 

Are there faculty or staff members who made a difference during your George Mason career? 

When I think of the faculty who made a difference during my time at George Mason, several professors come to mind. Professor Stagl was one of the most passionate professors I've ever had. He was generous with his time, always willing to connect outside of the classroom, in addition to his three-hour office hours! Overall, the professors' genuine passion for the field and care for their students made me feel valued and supported. The diversity of their backgrounds showed me how broadly I-O psychology applies across industries and helped the field feel expansive and inclusive. 

Why did you choose George Mason for your graduate studies? 

I chose the MPS program at George Mason because my boyfriend and a close friend were both PhD students at George Mason and spoke highly of their experiences. Their enthusiasm, combined with the strength and reputation of the I-O faculty and their impact on the field, made George Mason a clear choice for me. 

Which accomplishments during your time at George Mason are you most proud of? 

During my time at George Mason, I am most proud of the research projects I completed, especially the group projects. Working closely with my teammates was both challenging and rewarding, as I learned from their perspectives, strengthened my skills through shared problem-solving, and built friendships that made the work especially meaningful. These experiences pushed me beyond my comfort zone, strengthened my analytical skills, and helped me build confidence in areas like programming, that once felt intimidating. I am also proud of how directly I have been able to apply what I learned in the classroom to my professional life. The program gave me the language and frameworks to better understand my work experiences, including challenging ones, and the tools to evaluate and improve organizational practices. That ability to connect theory to real-world impact has been the most meaningful outcome of my graduate experience.

What advice would you give to an incoming cohort of graduate students? 

Enjoy being a sponge! Make the most of your access to the faculty, literature, and George Mason network. I spoke with several alumni before applying and throughout the program to get advice—both related to the coursework and my professional life (to name a couple of notable folks, thank you, Steve Kenton and Jessica Dixon!).  

Overall, my advice to an incoming cohort is to be intentional about building relationships early. Please make the effort to connect with your peers outside of class (form study groups!!! These people became my sounding board to experiment.), students in other cohorts, alumni, and professionals in the field; those relationships will shape your experience as much as the coursework. I recommend attending program events, fireside chats, and office hours, and engaging actively with the faculty. The program moves quickly, and investing in your network from the start pays off long after graduation.  

Take advantage of professional opportunities whenever you can, like SIOP. Even when your personal life and/or work make it challenging to balance the program, keep the bigger goal front and center, and keep showing up. I underwent many personal and professional changes during the program, and the level of support I received from my peers and professors was unmatched! 

What are your current career plans following graduation? What are your long-term career goals? 

My current career plans are to continue in my role as a talent partner at Toast, Inc. I recently joined the company and am going to invest in my future at the firm. Long-term, I'd like to transition back into generalist HR work, either as a people partner or an HRBP. My long-term career goal is to become a Chief Human Resources Officer.