Anna Hoffmann
Current Employer/Organisation Name
Otto International
What have you been doing since leaving Exeter, and what are you doing now?
When I left Exeter, I first took on a trainee position in talent acquisition before moving into a permanent role focusing on learning & development and employee engagement initiatives. As I continue to move through different roles within the People & Culture department, I started a Masters in Organisational Psychology.
Why did you choose this career? And what do you enjoy most about your work?
During my time at Exeter, I became interested in the Social Psychology module and understanding the psychology of employees within the workplace. Since we spend so much time at work, I wanted to understand what drives our motivation, engagement and performance in the hope to create a work environment we want to be in. My work gives me an opportunity to have a meaningful impact on the employee life cycle and work directly with people to help them on their career journey.
What did you enjoy most about your programme and what was the biggest highlight?
There was a great variety in the modules for the BSc Psychology. I hadn’t been sure of the direction I wanted to go to and the program gave me a good insight to the various possibilities. Some of my biggest highlights was studying mindfulness and meeting great course mates.
What did you most enjoy about studying here?
I got to meet so many wonderful people and am still best friends with my flatmates from first year. Also, the University of Exeter is situated in a lovely city and the campus has a great atmosphere. The support staff were always ready to help and being an international student, they made the move very easy.
Why did you choose to study at Exeter?
My high school promoted the university to me when I shared I wanted to study Psychology. They highlighted the reputation of the university and when I visited the open day, I knew I would enjoy studying there.
What skills and experiences have been most useful for your career?
Microsoft Office 365, presentation skills, problem solving, data analysis, and risk analysis.
What advice would you give to a current student who wishes to pursue your career?
Try out as many different aspects of Human Resources and talent management as possible. There are so many interesting opportunities and roles to have a meaningful impact within organisations, you may find inspiration in areas that you didn’t initially think would be for you.
What are your plans for the future?
I intend to finish my Masters this year and continue to work in Talent Management. I would like to help organisations create meaningful workplaces that engage and inspire.
