Tyler Cahill

Tyler Cahill (’16 psychology) is a senior people scientist with Culture Amp, an employee experience platform that aims to create a better world of work and partners with clients ranging from startups to Fortune 500 companies.

Cahill naturally gravitated towards a major in psychology because he was fascinated by the brain and psychology’s diverse pathways.

“I loved the variety of specialties within the major,” he said. “There are so many course options that can lead you down a path of clinical, cognitive, developmental, neuro, industrial/organizational, and more. Psychology is such a broad field, and Iowa State offers courses that allow you to dip your toes into many specialties.”

For Cahill, those courses included a focus on industrial/organizational psychology with Kathy Hanisch, teaching professor of psychology. Cahill said Hanisch helped prepare him for graduate school and professional life by emphasizing problem-solving skills and effective communication.

Cahill earned a master’s degree in industrial/organizational psychology from Roosevelt University. As a senior people scientist, he now provides leadership in HR and engagement. His daily work includes explaining the science behind measuring and improving employee engagement and performance and partnering directly with clients on survey design, analysis, process development, communication, and feedback strategies.

He encourages Iowa State psychology students to explore the major’s many possibilities.

“Take many different types of courses to figure out what area you are interested in the most,” he said. “And if you have not stumbled upon the world of industrial/organizational psychology, I highly recommend giving it a look.”