Falcon Futures: UWRF grad serves his community while pursuing master’s degree

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Falcon Futures: UW-River Falls grad serves his community while pursuing master’s degree

Aug. 19, 2026 - When Sasha Resig of Minneapolis began his college career at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, he wasn’t sure where it would take him. He initially planned to be a teacher and majored in math education. But after a month or so, Resig felt there might be a better fit.

“A lot of my passion and interests were really in the social sciences,” he said.

Having studied Spanish in high school, Resig changed his major to international studies. Geography classes really sparked his interest.

“As I was progressing through my undergrad, I realized there were other courses that would double count in other majors,” he said. “So I added a geography major and then a Spanish major just to kind of continue my foreign language experience.”

Along with his triple major, Resig added a minor in geographic information systems (GIS), learning to combine geography, mapping, data analysis and technology.

Resig wasn’t familiar with the career path he eventually settled on, but his broad-based studies opened up new possibilities.

“I didn’t really know a lot about intelligence analysis, but I have a mentor who worked in that field who recommended that I consider it,” Resig said. “I looked at it and thought, ‘Oh, this is interesting. I'm able to use my foreign language experience. I can utilize GIS.
It's analytical and research. I like to think, I like to analyze.’”

As Resig learned more about the field, he determined that continuing on to graduate school would have advantages. He decided to pursue a master’s degree in geographic information science at the University of Minnesota after graduating from UWRF in 2025.

As he neared the end of his undergrad program, Resig began to look for an opportunity to get some related job experience. Intelligence analysts work in multiple fields and at many levels, including state and federal agencies. Resig began leaning toward a career involving crime analysis, where he can use his mapping and statistics skills to understand trends.

“I want to work in the public sector,” Resig said. “I want to serve my community, feel connected and see the results of what I do.”

Resig found an opportunity that would provide that experience: working as a video evidence intern with Twin Cities’ Metro Transit Police Department. In the role, Resig is responsible for locating and sharing video evidence with investigators within the department, with other law enforcement agencies and with prosecutors.

“It put me in that law enforcement setting and I realized this is what I like,” Resig said.

He enjoyed working with his coworkers so much that what was originally a summer internship extended into the following school year and through a second summer.

Having grown up in a large city, Resig said he was looking for a different environment for his college years. He found the right mix of setting and opportunity at UWRF.

“River Falls is the perfect location,” Resig said. “I really enjoyed the tight knit community and small feel of the campus. Academically, my program allowed me to take a wide variety of courses and I was able to find my area of interest for my career, while also gaining the opportunity to study abroad in Europe and Belize.”

Besides his studies, Resig worked an on-campus job in the Registrar’s Office for three and a half years and served in leadership roles with the Residence Hall Association, Student Government and Dining Services Advisory Committee, all of which provided valuable professional development opportunities.

“I had leadership experiences, time management skills and communication skills that I was able to develop outside of the classroom,” he said.

When it came time to apply for his internship, Resig got help reviewing his resume and cover letter with UWRF Career Services.

Resig is continuing to pursue broad interests, taking classes in foreign affairs and national security in addition to his GIS coursework.

“I am looking forward to a meaningful and impactful career in public service, where I am able to utilize the skills I have developed in my academic career,” Resig said. “After what I have achieved so far, I am very motivated to continue to learn and accomplish my career goals. I feel very excited about the opportunities that await me.”