Kate (Wills ’12) Blyberg

Psychology

Biography

I’ve been fortunate to pursue my blended love for Business and Psychology, after studying both during my years in Upland. I’d known going into undergrad that I loved thinking through why people do what they do, and how businesses can influence behaviors by competing to solve people’s problems. I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of it…thinking, ideating, and solutions are truly my favorite pastimes. My family lived in Cincinnati, OH when I graduated, which happens to be a bit of a hub for market research expertise, as well as the home to some category-leading brands. So, I sent a resume (that’s right, printed resumes in an envelope with a stamp…) to every market research group and CPG I could, and prayed for an open door. As is His character, God provided one, and I accepted a role as a market research project manager. As a natural leader and organizer, project management came easy. But, within months, I was more interested in research analytics and seeing results than the PM responsibilities. So, I started leaning in harder to the questions the project intended to answer, how to derive meaningful insight from data, and using it to tell our clients compelling stories. The second I saw the power of harnessing customer insight in a real business setting, a lightbulb went off and I was hooked. It was one of those awesome times when something clicked and you hit a stride that you know can only be spiritual. Turns out, I was really good at asking big questions, understanding the problem, strategic envisioning, and creative solutions. In the 6 years I was there, it was an interesting rollercoaster and God was very present – I got married (Derrick ’12), we moved 4 times, my parents got divorced, and our home was robbed. While it feels like a blur in hindsight, God’s steadfastness undoubtedly provided the consistency and comfort I needed. At work, things were “fine” – the comp was great, I had lots of friends and was leading a team. But, my newly realized strategic muscles weren’t being flexed, and I was eager to work on bigger, stickier, gray-er business problems. So, the Lord led me to retail strategy consulting. Since I’d truly need a novel to fully cast the vision of my time in consulting, I’ll just say…it was the most educational and challenging 4 years I’ve ever experienced. I walked away with countless network contacts, new experiences, new brand and innovation skills, and a certain fearlessness that can only come through being tossed in the deep end. I don’t regret a moment. That said, the Lord’s timing to lead me to “the client side”/out of a service role couldn’t have been more perfect. One of my clients had moved to a new role with the leading grocer in the U.S. and was building a team to lead strategy and shape the future of the Fortune #17 company – all I had to do was say ‘yes’. God’s cool like that. Sitting in a corporate strategy development and leadership role today has yielded countless new relationships and unique opportunities. The space is interesting, I’m able to leverage my expertise and gifts while also constantly learning. Looking back every few years is rewarding – God’s loving fingerprints are all over my every step. Even when I thought I needed rerouting. I’m incredibly grateful for the journey so far and have no doubt the Lord has more curveballs in store for me, but I regularly pray for the reminder that all trials are for my good and His glory.

What were some of your most valuable experiences at Taylor?

My mind goes to three distinct places – personal value, professional value, and spiritual value. Personally, my wing (shout out to 2WO) community was incredible. The wing leaders encouraged participation while balancing everyone’s individual interests and needs. We were intramural football champs back when the IWU Backyard Brawl was a thing – hard-to-beat touchdowns in the Indiana snow. It’s all about the T-shirt, right? Our retreats were always impactful and intentional. I still have a letter I wrote to my future self on a wing retreat and the Lord has used it in random ways to speak truth to myself many years later – He’s funny like that. Finally, the Lithuania study abroad trip was easily the best 5 months of my life. Enough said. Professionally, the classroom size enables a balance of lecture, project work, discussion, and presentation that establishes a critical career foundation. Taylor’s course assortment gives students plenty of opportunity to explore topics of interest, perhaps narrowing potential career paths. For me, I knew I loved Psychology and business…but what do I do with that? Taking classes including Counseling, Neuroscience, and Consumer Behavior, enabled me to more confidently lean into Business after graduation. Additionally, the relationships formed with professors and administrators are incomparable, but more on that in the next section. Spiritually, I left Taylor a different person – seeds were planted in my heart that I’m confident wouldn’t have been if I’d gone another route. As with anyone who ‘goes away’ to college, your belief systems are tested. What you’ve accepted as ‘truth’ will be challenged, as you’re exposed to thousands of other people that offer unique upbringings and perspectives. I learned more about the Holy Spirit in Upland than I had the 18 years prior, and He’s softened my heart in unique ways as my life continues. Everyone’s walk is unique, but I can guarantee anyone considering Taylor that their heart will be impacted for the better if they choose to open it and seek first the kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33).

How did your classes or interactions with professors at Taylor impact your growth?

While there are many professors and campus leaders coming to mind, truly impacting my growth, there are 3 in particular I want to highlight. Business Professor: What an incredible example of passion for a profession, interdisciplinary learning, and student development on both personal and professional levels. She maintains a high bar of respect for students and content in the classroom and invests in alumni, the curriculum, and the future of the Business school. She has memorable energy and an incredible sense of humor, and I’m grateful to say she’s become a wonderful friend over the years. Psych Club Professor: Besides being a widely respected & beloved Psychology professor, he was an early believer in the vision of the Psychology Club. He sponsored its early days, encouraged Psych students to join, and helped to build a community. Another nod to Taylor’s openness to ideas and ways to get students involved. Founding that club gave me unique opportunities to exercise and hone leadership skills, and realize a vision for something that could bring people together around shared interests. Psychology Professor: When a spot on her grant-supported, clinical research team opened up, I was thrilled at the opportunity to join – zero experience and zero clue what I was doing. She taught me how to ask a good research question to yield a clear and helpful answer, the fundamentals of a survey, basic SPSS software analysis skills, and how to write a research paper. Contributing to a published APA white paper before graduation was an incredible experience, and I had no idea how much the foundational data skills would propel my market research expertise.

How can Taylor graduates use their unique Taylor education and its liberal arts foundational core as an asset in your discipline?

Breadth and exposure. Going into undergrad, I was fortunate to have somewhat of a heading toward the Psych space, but most lack confidence in direction. We aren’t born into this world knowing our unique skills and gifts…God reveals those over time. That exploration, revelation, and trust in Him is what it’s all about. Today, Business is a space that’s constantly evolving because of the pace at which entrants can appear – these days, we can snap our fingers and stand up a business overnight! Cultivating a genuine curiosity, and having a breadth of experiences and understanding instills a certain confidence. Outside of your area, you walk away with hundreds of classmate connections that last a lifetime. Many of my classmates have gone into different corners of business, or into different spaces entirely – we’re still learning from each other and helping each other along our career journeys.

What advice or encouragement could you provide for Taylor students in your vocational discipline?

The sooner you can truly embrace, not fear, change the sooner you’ll find true freedom. You’re guaranteed curveballs and challenges (James 1), especially as a believer (John 15), but you are also promised good & that you’re never alone (Matthew 28:20, Romans 8:28, Psalm 103:8). I don’t know a single person that would look back at their undergrad self and think “yep, this played out exactly as I anticipated.” Choose to embrace the journey! Literally, no one has it figured out. The real secret is that there’s nothing to be figured out – just take steps in faith (Hebrews 11:1). You’re not behind, late, missing out, or less successful than someone else. Comparing your life to someone else’s is truly fruitless, for our walk is our own (John 21:21-22). Ruthlessly eliminate anything causing hurry and discontentment in your life – if you’re walking with Jesus, you’re right on time and right where you’re meant to be. Respond with gratitude! Be a person of integrity. Most say, and not do – be a person who does both consistently and in a way that reflects Jesus. Our conduct advances the Kingdom more than we realize, so be a person worth imitating, as Jesus is worthy of imitation (Philippians 2:3-5). Jesus told us to love God and love others. Whether we like it or not, our reputation and network are everything – take its cultivation seriously! Shake every hand you can, ask genuine questions, and seek to serve and elevate others in every setting. Make an impression. You simply never know where God’s going to take you as you keep opening doors in your life. Finally, be in the Word daily to renew your mind and freshly orient your heart’s priorities for the day (2 Corinthians 4:16, Lamentations 3:22-23). Putting on the spiritual armor of God (Ephesians 6) is critical in these highly uncertain times – so many are eager for hope, joy, and purpose. Let us never forget that we, the Church, carry the Light. You’re doing great; hang in there.