Garret Kilmer
Garret Kilmer is Global Learning Excellence Manager at L'Oréal. He is also Adjunct Professor on the Master of Talent Development & Human Resources, teaching the Introduction to Psychometrics and Assessment course. Prior to joining L'Oréal, he was Associate Consultant at the Institute for Cross-Cultural Management in Florida.
In addition to the Master in Talent Development & Human Resources from IE University, Garret holds a master’s degree in Work, Organizational and Personnel Psychology from the Florida Institute of Technology (FIT) and a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from West Chester University of Pennsylvania. During his studies at FIT, he had the opportunity to intern at atrain GmbH, a startup management consultancy in Germany, where he learned about IE University. Originally from the US, he now lives in Paris and describes himself as a “global citizen.”
"There are always ways to contribute, and you might have the very skills to make that change. Don’t be afraid to take risks. You can make valuable changes when you do."
WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO COMPLETE TWO MASTER’S DEGREES?
Growing up, I was an Eagle Scout, and was always involved in leadership activities and team building. While it might not seem like it, these are HR-related topics. Later, when I was at FIT, I gained theoretical knowledge through my degree and my internship. But I wanted to bring that experience closer to HR, so I decided to study HR specifically.
After researching the syllabus and professors in the Master in Talent Development & Human Resources, I knew it was for me. And since graduating from the program in 2019, my profile has combined both science-based and business practices.
WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW?
I’m currently working at L’Oreal Paris on the organizational development team. My role is to develop surveys for all 80,000 employees around the world. I’m working on two main projects: developing an engagement survey and a leadership survey, both on a global scale.
It’s more than just collecting the data and making the survey. My role is to ask: “What do we do now? How do we bring them to where they want to be in terms of engagement? How do we get to the next level?” We are a small team with a big impact.
HOW DID IE UNIVERSITY PREPARE YOU FOR YOUR CAREER?
IE University provided me with a new perspective about many different areas and how they connect to other things. I was taught how to take what I’ve learned and use it where it’s applicable, whether learning and development or diversity and inclusion. I also learned how to use metrics in order to improve these areas.
WHAT COMPELLED YOU TO GO FROM STUDYING HR TO TEACHING IT?
I have strong opinions about how HR should be, what’s important for the next generation, and what I think everyone should know. I’m a big fan of being the change you want to see. I always knew I wanted to be a teacher, and I never expected it to happen so fast. I took Assessments and Psychometrics last year, and when the class ended, I felt like it wasn’t enough. So I volunteered to teach a class to the students. The feedback was positive, and the opportunity was there. The next year, I was co-teaching in this class.
Learning happens from anyone, any place, and any time. If I’ve had the opportunity to learn more about a certain topic than others have, I want to share what I know. My approach is science and practice, and I think I brought the science approach to both studying HR and teaching it.
WHAT ARE YOUR BIGGEST TAKEAWAYS FROM YOUR TIME AT IE UNIVERSITY?
That you can learn from anyone around you. Hearing other people’s experiences is also a learning method. Knowledge is not just something shared by the professor. It’s all around you.
IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME AND CHANGE ANYTHING, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
I would have participated more in clubs and been more involved with the IE University community. I think they have so many opportunities that you should take advantage of once you’re there. There are so many events put on that students should go to.
DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR CURRENT AND FUTURE STUDENTS?
Don’t be afraid to rock the boat or make changes happen. If I hadn’t put myself out there, I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to become a professor and bring change to the course. There are always ways to contribute, and you might have the very skills to make that change. Don’t be afraid to take risks. You can make valuable changes when you do.
