David Reinhard

What do you do as a Postdoctoral Research Associate?

I’m currently a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Psychology of Peace and Violence Program at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. In general, my research examines how shared competitive (and cooperative) histories influence the way people think about and pursue their goals. I’m currently working on a research project that examines how histories of intergroup violence can facilitate or prevent intergroup violence in the present and future.

Why did you choose to major in Psychology and how has that affected your career thus far?

I didn’t go in thinking I’d major in Psychology, but I was hooked once I took a seminar called “The Psychology of Interpersonal Relationships” my freshman year. I always enjoyed thinking about the reasons underlying why people think, feel, and act the way they do, and majoring in psychology allowed me to spend time studying those questions. Considering my goal now is to become a professor in Psychology, I’d say choosing the major had a really big impact! Some of the professors in the department were a big reason for why I stayed in the field and I still meet with them whenever I visit campus.

What was your career path like?

After I graduated from Michigan, I stayed in Ann Arbor for a year and worked as a lab manager for a psychology lab at the Institute for Social Research. Afterward, I went to the University of Virginia to work on my PhD in Social Psychology. Six years later, I graduated and recently started a new position as a postdoc. After my postdoc, my plan is to stay in academia and apply for faculty positions.

What advice do you have both professionally and personally for students and recent alumni who are interested in pursuing a career similar to yours?

Take advantage of all of the different research opportunities offered at Michigan! People frequently try to have all of their academic interests “figured out” early on in their career, but working in a variety of labs can be really beneficial in helping you figure out your interests. If you already have your interests figured out, getting involved in other research opportunities can still be really helpful because learning different methods can help you think about your own work in a new light.

If possible, would you change anything about your career path?

Looking back, I wish I was more adventurous with taking courses from different disciplines and departments. One of my favorite parts of graduate school was meeting people from other disciplines and getting to learn about the types of questions they were interested in and how they went about trying to answer them. It’s easy to get set in the ways we think about various issues, or the methods we use to answer questions about the world, and talking with people outside of your area can be a good way to get out of that rut.

Why do you love Michigan?

The diversity of activities offered at Michigan, and the people they attract, was a big reason for why I enjoyed my time here so much. Whether it’s athletics, academics, art, music, etc. there was always something to get involved in. I’m still close with the friends I made in undergrad and I have a lot of great memories spending time with them in Ann Arbor! Also, the food offered around Ann Arbor is hard not to love. Just thinking about it now is making me crave some Zingerman’s!