Dan Beaver
- Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (2022)
Dan earned his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in 2022. Following graduation, he has since built his career as a Project Manager at The Expo Group.
“Talk to people inside AND outside of your circle. On one hand, it can be very helpful to gain insight and guidence from people who know you and know what you’ve been through. On the other, you will be surprised at what a different point of view can do for you. Sometimes all it takes is one comment to help you view yourself, and maybe the world, in a whole new way.“
Brief description of what I do!
As a Project Manager, I connect internal and external customers with the goal of completing a given project.
What inspired your career path after graduation?
I was and am living in Texas and COVID brought me back to school to finish my degree, which I left back in 2007. I had been working in the tradeshow industry before COVID, and as it was winding down, was given the opportunity to work part-time, which allowed me to continue and finish my studies. I then was granted a full-time position as business started to pick back up.
How did your experience in the psychology program shape your journey?
I definitely had a unique journey. I was a Youth Counselor working for the Children’s Aid Society in London, ON, working with youth at risk in the group home system. This inspired me to get into psychology. I went to live and work in Japan teaching English, then returned to Canada and Carleton to start my psychology journey. Due to various life challenges I ended up leaving school and wasn’t able to get back to it until 2021. During this time the deeper dive into psychology that I took at Carleton helped to inform many of the interactions in my life, as well as helping my critical thinking as it relates to how many of us think about and interact with the world. This really was the driving force behind getting me back to school to finish what I started.
What skills or experiences were most valuable after graduation?
I think as it relates to experiences, I realized that no one views the world the same way, nor do they react to what the world gives them in the same way. The understanding I gained from my courses helped me to see my experiences in a different light, and even if I didn’t understand everything that was happening around me, I was able to view my interactions with people and the world through a more informed lens.
Do you have a favourite memory from your program at Carleton?
Organizational Psychology (PSCY 3801) with Dr Damian O’Keefe; Research Methods (PSYC 2001).
What has been a highlight or proud moment in your career so far?
Finding out how the people in my life view me (mostly positive; not everyone will see you the same way), which I really think is a direct result of the knowledge I’ve gained from the psychology program.