Excursions and Practical Talks
Work and organizational psychology is an applied subject. In practice, work and organizational psychologists primarily focus on fields of work related to personnel.
Consequently, topics such as personnel and career development, the recruitment and selection of employees or performance assessments are at the forefront of our work. To offer students the opportunity to practically explore the broad fields of activity in work and organizational psychology , the Professorship of Work and Organizational Psychology (Prof. Dr. J. Volmer) regularly organizes national business field trips and practical lectures.
The interlinking of science and practice is key to our work.
Exkursionen
WS2024/2025
To Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. KG (Bamberg)
In December 2024, an excursion to Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. KG in Bamberg took place. After an introduction to the company's history, production and development focus areas, and international locations, a tour of the company premises followed, offering insights into work processes and everyday life at the company. Finally, the topics of personnel development, lifelong learning, and employee support were presented and discussed. We would like to express our sincere thanks to everyone at Brose for the informative program and the open exchange of ideas.
WS 2023/2024
To Wieland Electric GmbH (Bamberg)
In January 2024, students attending the “Work and Organizational Psychology” lecture visited the headquarters of Wieland Electric GmbH. After an introduction in the showroom, they gained insights into the company's history, guidelines, and current focus areas, particularly in human resources development and occupational health management. This was followed by a tour of the production facilities and showroom, where work processes and possible applications for the products were presented. The visit concluded with an open discussion. We would like to thank Ms. Lang and the team at Wieland Electric for their hospitality and the exciting insights they provided.
WS 2022/2023
To Wieland Electric GmbH (Bamberg)
In January 2023, around 35 students and staff from the professorship visited the headquarters of Wieland Electric GmbH in Bamberg. After an introduction in the showroom, they received information about the company, its areas of work, and health services. This was followed by tours of the production facilities, offices, and showroom, where manufacturing processes and possible applications for the products were presented. The visit concluded with a discussion round with snacks and the opportunity to solder a small key ring yourself. We would like to thank Ms. Lang and all the employees of Wieland Electric for the friendly organization, the insights into everyday working life, and the open answers to our questions.
WS 2019/2020
To STAEDTLER Mars GmbH & Co. KG (Nuremberg)
During the 2019/2020 winter semester, an excursion to STAEDTLER Mars GmbH & Co. KG in Nuremberg took place. After a brief introduction to the company's history and the manufacture of its product range – including wooden pencils, highlighters, and fineliners – a tour of the factory followed, providing insights into workplaces and production processes. During a tour of the premises, automated process steps from procurement to production and shipping were presented. Afterwards, the participants analyzed key aspects of the work based on activity analyses and developed ideas for ergonomic design approaches and the prevention of mental stress in production.
Previous Excursions
- WS 2018/2019: Schaeffler AG (Herzogenaurach), international automotive and industrial supplier.
- WS 2017/2018: adidas AG (Herzogenaurach), world’s leading sporting goods manufacturer.
- SS 2017: Robert Bosch GmbH (Bamberg), global technology and services company.
- WS 2016/2017: BPS Berufspsychologischer Service (Bayreuth), psychological service of the Federal Employment Agency.
- WS 2015/2016: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. KG (Coburg), international automotive supplier (mechatronics/interiors).
- SS 2015: Würth Industrie Service GmbH & Co. KG (Bad Mergentheim), industrial supply & C-parts management, logistics.
- SS 2015: BMW Group (Munich), premium automotive manufacturer.
- SS 2014: STAEDTLER Mars GmbH & Co. KG (Nuremberg), manufacturer of writing and drawing materials.
Practical lectures
Insight into the tasks, functions, and fields of activity of psychology graduates (at the BPS)
- Presentation of everyday working life and psychological procedures using a case study from the assessment process, as well as information on the structured induction phase at the BPS.
- Discussion of the speakers' individual career paths and motivations, as well as the importance of a varied, psychology-specific role in the public sector.
- Lecturers: Claudia Schramm, Marie-Luis Keil, and Katharina Schroedel-Sonnenstatter, Occupational Psychology Service (BPS) of the Employment Agency, Period: WS 2017/2018
Qualitative psychological market research in companies
- Presentation of methodological features of qualitative market research and examples of project results (e.g., product acceptance and usage contexts).
- Discussion of the importance of qualitative approaches for understanding consumer decisions and market reactions.
- Lecturers: Dr. Karen Döring and Dipl.-Psych. Manfred Zerzer, PsychoLogik Marktforschung GmbH, Period: WS 2016/2017
Coaching with a focus on career coaching
- Practical exercises from systemic coaching, including intuition training, structured initial consultation, and group coaching (“bouquet exercise”).
- Discussion of resource-oriented approaches and training and career opportunities in coaching.
- Lecturer: Dr. Katharina Ebner, FAU Erlangen GmbH, Period: WS 2016/2017
Significance and application of evidence-based approaches in occupational and organizational psychology
- Presentation of the topic of motivation as an example of the discrepancy between scientific evidence and business practice; joint development of the Naylor-Pritchard-Ilgen model.
- Introduction to the ProMES management method and illustration of its possible applications using practical examples.
- Lecturer: Dr. Colin Roth, FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg & BlackBox/Open GmbH, Period: WS 2015/2016
Starting your career as a personnel consultant and the areas of responsibility in consulting
- Insights into the design and support of assessment center processes as well as typical activities in everyday work.
- Illustration of a contract clarification for an executive assessment center using a practical example and joint discussion of procedures.
- Lecturer: Melanie Greß, atrain GmbH, Period: SS 2015
Role of personnel development as a central field of activity in the company
- Presentation of the personnel development tool “Ready to Grow,” which supports employees in the structured reflection of their professional development.
- Reference to the transferability of the motto “You are in the driver's seat!” to one's own study and career planning.
- Lecture: Laura Bernhard, Siemens AG, Period: WS 2014/2015
Burnout prevention and resilience in a corporate context
- Presentation of practical approaches to strengthening personal resilience, supported by examples from the speaker's own many years of experience in human resources.
- Emphasis on a holistic understanding of resilience, taking biological, psychological, social, and spiritual factors into account.
- Lecturer: Wolfgang Roth (psychologist), Institute for Resilience, Period: WS 2014/2015
Presentation of the working methods of PsychoLogik Marktforschung GmbH, which specializes in qualitative primary market research, as well as typical questions and methods used.
- Gemeinsame Entwicklung eines Praxisbeispiels zur Neugestaltung des Bocksbeutel-Flaschendesigns zur Veranschaulichung des Forschungsprozesses.
- Diskussion über Karrierechancen und Praktikumsmöglichkeiten in der psychologisch orientierten Marktforschung.
- Lecturers: Dr. Karen Döring and Dipl.-Psych. Manfred Zerzer, PsychoLogik Marktforschung GmbH, Nuremberg, Period: SS 2014
Lecture “Making meetings successful: A multilevel analysis of dysfunctional behavior in meetings”
- Presentation of current research findings on dysfunctional behavior in meetings and its impact on effectiveness, performance, and health.
- Discussion of approaches for improvement, e.g., through fair processes and a positive meeting culture.
- Joint development of options for the practical implementation of the findings in organizational contexts.
- Lecturer: Eva-Maria Schulte, Dipl.-Psych., TU Braunschweig, Period: WS 2013/2014
Career coaching (short lecture)
- Lecturer: Dr. Katharina Ebner, TU Braunschweig, Period: WS 2013/2014
„(My) A path to becoming a career coach“
- Presentation of my professional career as a certified career coach and relevant qualifications from the client's perspective.
- Introduction to the approach and basic methodological principles of career coaching.
- Discussion of helpful skills from psychology studies and key “dos and don'ts” for getting started in career counseling.
- Lecturer: Nicole Hüttner, Dipl.-Psych. (psychology graduate), Period: Summer semester 2013