Interview with Judith Schmitt about her PhD Studies at FBA

Judith is originally from Germany but lives in Prague and is studying PhD at the Faculty of Business Administration (FBA). Why did she choose FBA and the field of managerial psychology and sociology? And what made her return to academic ground after 8 years of working in the corporate world? Read more in our interview.

What made you choose to do a PhD?

I pursued my master‘s degree after working in the corporate world for 8 years. Only then I realised how much I enjoy academic work and decided to continue with the PhD. Also, I am an advocate of lifelong learning and truly appreciate the chance to learn and develop.

Why did you choose FBA for your studies?

I compared different options before deciding for the program at FBA. After a year of lockdowns due to the pandemic, it was important to me to find something in person where I could be integrated into a team. Also, and this is probably very German of me, I like the clear structure of the PhD program at FBA, where we are encouraged to gain academic skills and apply those in research. What mostly made my decision was the supervisor; A colleague recommended Dr Daniela Pauknerova. We met and soon found a match in research topics of interest, and, just as important, we connected well on a personal level. All of those aspects made a big decision easy for me.

You are at the Department of Managerial Psychology and Sociology. Why did you choose this field?

My professional experience in the automotive industry showed me that there is a lot we don’t know about how people in organisations feel at work and how this can be improved. I believe research in this field makes an important contribution to the well-being of society. Apart from the field, my department consists of many smart and dedicated colleagues. Most of them are working mothers, which I find very encouraging.

What do you enjoy about PhD studies?

I appreciate the opportunity to dive deeply into research areas that interest me and I am positive that I will continue doing this after my PhD. I enjoy the diversity of tasks, whether it is academic writing, learning, teaching, or convincing others of the importance of my work. Also, my professional network expanded largely throughout the course of my studies, I enjoy working with many inspiring people.

What are the most challenging aspects of your PhD studies?

This is an easy one: Bureaucratic processes and organisational duties.

What courses do you teach? And how do you feel about teaching?

Teaching was actually another reason why I like the program at FBA. I teach intercultural communication and organisational behaviour for our international bachelor students and I very much enjoy it!

What is your current research?  

My research is about how organisational interventions support employees during times of disruptions. I analyse the effects of interventions such as coaching, mindfulness and team-development workshops during M&A.

What do you plan to do after you complete your PhD?

Celebrate! And then continue my academic career, combining research and teaching in the field of organisational psychology.

What are your tips and ideas for prospective PhD students?

Pursuing a PhD comes with a lot of hard work. I would advise going for it only if you enjoy the process and have a deep interest in your research topic.