Meet SIOP Member Irina Cozma, Coach
Name
Irina Cozma
Position/Employer
Coach
How long have you been a SIOP member?
14 years
What roles have you had within SIOP?
International Affairs Committee Member
Interest area(s)
Coaching, Assessments, Talent Management
What sparked your interest in I-O psychology?
I realized at one point that we spend most of our lives working (breaking news, I know!), and far too many people do not enjoy what they are doing. That felt unacceptable to me, so I decided to change it for as many people as possible. That’s why I chose to study organizational psychology.
What role do you see I-O psychology playing in the future of work?
I like to think of I-O psychology as a form of preventive medicine. When people ask what I do, I tell them I help people wake up in the morning without that pit-in-the-stomach feeling. No, I’m not that kind of doctor. But the work we do in I-O psychology helps people navigate their work lives with greater ease and resilience. We help individuals find roles that truly match their skills and talents, making their jobs more rewarding and less stressful. We help them become better at what they do, so they can tackle challenges with more confidence and less friction.
Ultimately, when people can move through their workdays with greater ease, they’re less stressed and therefore healthier. That’s why I believe I-O Psychology is a form of preventive medicine.
What work trends are you seeing and hearing about and how can I-O psychology practitioners, educators, and students impact these trends?
As technology becomes more embedded in every aspect of work, it will be increasingly crucial for people to harness it to perform their jobs more effectively and efficiently. I-O Psychology can play a vital role in supporting organizations as they integrate AI and other emerging technologies alongside their employees. Our field can help ensure that this integration is done thoughtfully and ethically, minimizing bias and maximizing fairness. We can also design fairer selection systems for remote workers and create more personalized development programs that meet people where they are, helping them succeed in this changing world.
What advice would you give to students or those early in their career?
There’s really no wrong path to take. If you’re drawn to developing deep expertise, start there. If you’d rather explore broadly, that’s perfectly fine too. Over time, you can always zoom in or zoom out based on what sparks your curiosity. Ideally, you’ll have the chance to work in organizations that expose you to different roles and projects early on, so you can learn and find your niche as you go.
What is one of your favorite SIOP Annual Conference memories/highlights?
I’ve been to more than ten SIOP Annual Conferences over the years, and the best part of each one is always reconnecting with old friends and making new connections. That said, the two conferences held in Chicago stand out in my memory. A famous Romanian author is buried there, and I had the opportunity to visit his grave both times. That was a personal highlight that made those conferences especially meaningful.
Please share one non-I-O-related bit of information about yourself.
My favorite food is Ethiopian food. Or more exactly, I should say my favorite food is good Ethiopian food from a particular restaurant in Charlotte. Let me know when you are in Charlotte and I will take you there!
Is there anything you would like to add?
When I was younger, my father dreamed that I would become a professional volleyball player. I was on Romania’s junior national team at the time, and he had high hopes. Then, he thought I should become an accountant. But one day, I told him I wanted to be a psychologist. Taking charge of my career was both hard and easy. Hard because I had to go against expectations. Easy because I knew what I wanted. Over the years, I discovered that coaching is my happy place. I’ve since coached hundreds of people, and my hope is that they, too, can find their own happy place, a place that helps them navigate their professional lives with more ease.
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