Ségolène Dibayula

• Bachelor of Arts in Forensic Psychology + Stream in Mental Health & Well-Beingy with a Minor in French (2022)

Ségolène completed her Psychology degree in June 2022, with a specialization in Forensic Psychology, a minor in French, and a stream in Mental Health and Well-Being. She went on to earn a Master’s in Industrial Relations from Queen’s University in 2025 and now works as a Labour Relations Advisor with the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC).

Brief description of what I do!

I work as a Labour Relations Advisor at the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), where I support a healthy and productive workplace by helping manage the relationship between the employer and employees. My role involves conducting legal and policy analysis, interpreting collective agreements, reviewing case law and jurisprudence, and advising on grievances, performance management, and complex workplace issues. A large part of my work focuses on helping managers and employees understand their rights and responsibilities so they can navigate workplace challenges effectively and fairly.

What inspired your career path after graduation?

What really inspired my career path was a course I took during my undergrad called Transition to Careers, taught by Dr. Janet Mantler. One of the main assignments in that course was creating a five‑year plan with three possible career paths. Clinical psychology was my first choice at the time, but as I explored different opportunities and learned more about myself, I realized that HR—and eventually labour relations—was actually a much better fit for my strengths and interests. Looking back, not getting into clinical ended up opening the door to a field I genuinely enjoy.

That course also helped me build practical skills like reflecting on career direction and learning how to have informal conversations with people in different fields — something I still use today.

Outside of that, my path was shaped by exploring different types of work during and after my undergrad, including roles in mental health, research, administration, communications, and outreach. Through those experiences, I was able to better understand what I enjoyed in work and what suited me, which ultimately guided me toward HR and labour relations.

How did your experience in the psychology program shape your journey?

The psychology program shaped my journey largely because of the professors I encountered. I consistently had instructors who were supportive, passionate, and genuinely invested in student learning. One early influence was Matthew Sorley in PSYC 1001, who introduced different career paths in psychology and emphasized the importance of gaining experience outside the classroom. As a first‑year student, that advice stayed with me.

In my upper years, my thesis supervisor, Kelly Babchishin, played a major role in pushing me to grow and challenge myself. Working with her helped me realize I was capable of much more than I initially believed, and her support significantly built my confidence.

I also took a forensic psychology seminar with Craig Bennell, who brought in guest speakers and exposed us to a wide range of career possibilities. Another meaningful experience was a course with Dr. Herman Hawthorne, whose focus on equity, diversity, and inclusion had a lasting impact and influenced the EDI‑related work I’ve done since.

What skills or experiences were most valuable after graduation?

One of the most valuable things for me after graduation was staying open‑minded and willing to explore different paths. Psychology is often associated with clinical or research careers, but I learned that the degree can open doors in many areas.

Being adaptable, motivated, and curious allowed me to explore roles in research, mental health, communications, outreach, administration, and eventually HR. Taking a wide range of courses during my degree also broadened my perspective and helped me remain open to opportunities I might not have considered otherwise.

Looking back, that willingness to try new things played a huge role in shaping my career.

Are there specific Psychology courses, professors, or experiences that stood out during your time at Carleton?

I had many professors at Carleton who were incredibly supportive and passionate about their teaching, and that made a huge difference in my experience. A few courses stand out:

• Cultural Competence, which I highly recommend because the skills and perspectives are relevant across all fields.
• Transition into Careers, which encouraged me to think intentionally about different career paths.

My experience as a crisis line responder was also especially formative. It exposed me to complex situations and helped me develop skills that I now use regularly in HR and labour relations.

Craig Bennell and Kelly Babchishin were both significant influences in my academic journey, and I’m grateful for their support. And a special shout‑out to Craig Leth‑Steensen for his help in Advanced Design and Analysis—I definitely wouldn’t have passed that class without his willingness to help his students succeed!

What has been a highlight or proud moment in your career so far?

Some of my career highlights include contributing to two published papers, one of which came from my undergraduate honours thesis. That’s something I’m really proud of because it started as work I did during my undergrad and continued after graduation. Completing my Master’s in Industrial Relations was also a major milestone for me, both academically and personally. But overall, my biggest highlight is building a career without having a clear, predetermined path. I didn’t know exactly where I would end up, but I kept taking opportunities, trying new things, and creating doors instead of waiting for them. A lot of it came down to taking a leap of faith each time, and I’m proud of where that approach has led me. And if you’re a student reading this: take that chance. You never know where it will lead you — and it might take you somewhere even better than what you originally imagined.