Michelle Donovan '94

Be scrappy. You have to figure out how to stand out and expand your network, because there are thousands of other people who are applying for jobs too. Take the initiative. Don't be afraid to put yourself out there. Constantly learn, and don't be afraid to ask for help.
- Michelle Donovan, 1994, Communications & Psychology

How did UW-River Falls prepare you for your current job?

The psychology courses were good. I learned how to research and learned about the various areas within the psychology field. That helped me select and focus on industrial organizational psychology. I studied and worked hard, and it was great professors like Brad Caskey who helped me when I needed advice on graduate school. He helped me a summer internship program at the University of Minnesota, which helped me get into a good grad school.

What were you involved in at UWRF?

I was on the tennis team and Student Senate, and later on, got involved in the Psychology Club.   

Director of People Development at Google 

Education After UWRF:

Ph.D. Industrial/Organizational Psychology at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Favorite City:

Agra, India 

Favorite Class:

Developmental Psychology with Professor Brad Caskey and Geology 

Favorite Websites:

CNN and People

Regrets:

Not going on a study abroad trip, I wish I would have taken advantage of that.