Joanna Gross

What do you do as a Recruiting Specialist at Google?

I help find people to fill jobs and work with candidates to find the right position for them.

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

I have always been interested in how the brain works and what makes people tick. I didn't have a traditional psychology career path, but I work with people constantly, and I think the foundational knowledge I learned at UM helps me understand people.

What was your career path like?  

I started out in sales and continued on a sales career path for about four years. There was an opportunity to try recruiting at my company and I decided to give it a shot!

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

Don't feel like you have to find your "dream job," right away. It takes time and entry level isn't always ideal. Let yourself explore and try out a whole bunch of things. You don't have to get it right on the first try.

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

I do wish I had switched career paths earlier. I think I would have been happier. Don't let yourself get stuck, allow yourself to be mobile.

What has contributed most to your career success?

People. People are so important. Networking and making connections has led me to where I am today.