Carmien Brys

Background

About Carmien Brys

As a master in organizational psychology, I chose early on in my career to focus on individual development. At Kessels & Smit, I discovered solution focused coaching and appreciative inquiry. Both deeply resonated with who I wanted to be as a professional and boosted my professional learning curve. I became an expert in doing talent interviews which I did in numerous organizations. Secondly, I learned the ropes of what it meant to be an HR consultant. Moving on to KU Leuven, I started out supporting individual development as a trainer in transferable skills. At the same time, I also used my previous experience to design custom made solutions to all sorts of learning and development questions. It was invigorating to be part of the team that founded the internal career center of the KU Leuven and to become on of the career coaches. I took my move to Canada as an opportunity to mix things up a little bit professionally and looked into new learning opportunities. As such, I ended up combining some private coaching and working as a freelance instructor at Haskayne School of Business. Loving the teaching gig this much, I then applied to a full time instructor position and started full time in the organizational behavior and human resources department. Upon my return to Belgium, a new position opened up at KU Leuven which addresses the high risk for poor mental health in young academics. As advisor wellbeing, I aim to increase awareness and open comunication about mental health in academia, I provide workshops on stress and resilience and I design custom made solutions to specific issues in faculties and research groups.