About
PATHWAY
Utilizing Research and Data Analytics to Facilitate Positive Social Change in Education
Sophomore year I participated in the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP), where I joined a lab that aspired to leverage research insights to solve business problems. One of the projects was to reach out to nonprofit leaders, who brought in a multitude of perspectives that I would not have been aware of. From feminist-relevant organization leaders to food-relevant organization leaders, they all shared their personal viewpoints on their meaning of work. Now I have all these questions. Some of these questions include how they attempt to foster a more welcoming workspace for their employees, how they evaluate whether the employee fits with the mission of the organization, and when it is time for them to decide whether to hire a new employee.I found out how all of the leaders and their employees are so mission-driven toward a cause and I was inspired. I would like to do the same in bridging the gap between people and society. Aside from the interviews, from sending matched leader-employee surveys to conducting lab research, my interest in investigating challenging theoretical issues with diverse and refined methods of empirical inquiry snowballed into a determination to combine my interest in research and facilitate positive social change, as I believe this experience will help me with my future plans. During the winter semester of my sophomore year I was able to intern for an edtech startup that focuses on middle school students’ SEL skill. I want to gain insights into the complex interplay between culture, personality, and organizational behavior.
Combining my studies in both Psychology and Organizational studies, I will be prepared to leverage my knowledge in research and education to drive positive social change.
