Since Patrick Cahill graduated from his Master’s in Culture, Organization and Management (COM) at VU Amsterdam, he’s worked for big brands like Booking and Nike, as well as smaller organisations like a local healthcare non-profit in Oregon, the US. He explains how his education complemented every role he’s been in, and why he credits small companies over big brands for being the best place to learn and grow.
When Patrick looks back on the four years of his career since he finished his Master’s, he sees a common thread: organisational development. “I think my experience and education complement each other: organisational culture, team development and change management,” explains Patrick. “Booking was really exciting because I became an Agile Coach, working on leadership development and high-performing team practices. At Nike, I stretched my change management muscles and rolled out a cybersecurity program that impacted all 10,000 of their managers globally. And now, I work as a change management consultant at a non-profit that aims to transform the healthcare system in the US.”
No such thing as a typical work day
Perhaps unsurprisingly, his work day looked completely different at all three organisations: “At Booking, it was fast-paced and I’d facilitate day-long offsites with a team. At Nike, I’d have more time to prepare, but then make a high-stakes presentation to a boardroom of Executives. At my current company the pace is slower, and I work closely with both internal and external consultants on moving programs forward in small increments. Three companies, three cultures, three work days that totally differ.”
Thinking like an anthropologist
Patrick credits his COM studies for his ability to get to grips with change management and organisational development. “We looked at organisations through the same lens that an anthropologist would look at an island tribe: by zooming out and making sense of the practices, behaviours and power dynamics we observed,” he says. “I developed the ability to observe critically and take things in with all my senses rather than simply believing what I read or see. All corporate value statements sound the same, so the ability to see beyond that to what life is truly like in an organisation has been the biggest benefit of the programme for me.”
Small wonder
Many students thinking about taking the COM programme might be considering their options at big name companies after they graduate. But Patrick recommends a different approach: “I've had the privilege of working at both small and large organisations. Most hiring managers are attracted to candidates who've worked at a name-brand company, but ironically my experience has clashed with this point of view. The times I've worked hardest and grown as an individual have been in smaller companies where I’ve had more responsibility and greater reach. In larger organisations, things tend to move slower and people can hide between the cracks.”
What other advice does Patrick have for prospective students? “Build relationships. Networking isn't just a skill to help you get a job; it’s a practice that if you integrate into your regular habits will help you thrive both personally and professionally. The broader the web of connections you have, the better positioned you will be not only to find the next job, but also to pioneer an initiative, get a promotion, help a friend or find a friend.”
