Tal Stern

Meet Tal Stern, a 2017 graduate of our MSc Organisational and Social Psychology. After several years of working as an HR Business Partner, Tal is starting a PhD at Coller School of Management, Tel Aviv University. 

Tell us about your career journey since graduating from LSE.

I completed my Master’s degree in Organisational and Social Psychology at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) in 2017, a decision that has profoundly shaped my career path. Studying at LSE was pivotal in both securing my first role and in providing me with practical tools to excel in the field of human resources. LSE’s reputation as a world-class institution helped open doors, but the practical knowledge I gained about organisational behaviour and psychological principles became invaluable as I navigated complex work environments.

Over the past six and a half years, I have served as an HR Business Partner, first at Check Point Software Technologies and then at AppsFlyer. Each role has expanded my understanding of HR beyond its traditional boundaries, revealing how human resources can shape an organisation’s culture, influence strategic decisions, and contribute to the personal and professional growth of its employees. As an HR Business Partner, I have been responsible for aligning HR functions with business objectives, offering support on issues ranging from talent acquisition to organisational development. After years of working in HR, I have recently decided to pursue a PhD. LSE played a role in this decision as well, by fostering my interest in organisational psychology and research.

What’s the best piece of career advice you’ve received?

After a very tedious day that included tremendous efforts to please both “The Corporate” and my partners, the Chief of People saw me and said: “Being in HR means being the servant of many lords, that’s why the job sucks.” I love this job, and he was never more right.

What’s the greatest challenge you’ve had to overcome?

One of the greatest challenges in my role as an HR Business Partner has been gaining the trust of senior leaders, often Vice Presidents or C-level executives, particularly while still being relatively young and early in my career. Building trust with senior leadership requires a combination of expertise, strategic thinking, and emotional intelligence. Early on, I realised that demonstrating value and earning respect from seasoned leaders necessitates a proactive approach, focusing on understanding the unique needs of each leader and presenting thoughtful, data-backed insights that can drive their decisions.

Share with us your fondest memory of the Department of Psychological and Behavioural Science.

I have tons of great memories, but I will probably never forget the trip we took to Windsor. The department prepared a weekend for us with different sessions and lots of fun. We stayed overnight in a very nice place, and had some quality bonding time.

If you're a PBS alum and would like to share your experience, please get in touch at pbs.alumni@lse.ac.uk.