Alumni Spotlight: Casey Giordano

Casey Giordano (he/him)

Major: PSY BS (Spring 2015)
Position: Assistant Professor
Employer: Auburn University at Montgomery 

What is your work like? What are your duties?

As a faculty member, I teach psychology to undergraduate and graduate students alike. Through my lab, I conduct research into employee behaviors, how psychological traits and characteristics relate to those behaviors, as well as investigate the appropriate statistical models to best understand such interactions.  

How would you say your psychology degree has helped you with your current job?

My time in the Minnesota Psychology department was invaluable. From the broad range of courses, taught by experts in each domain, I gained a wealth of knowledge that set me up for success. The opportunities for professional development were also paramount. In fact, a variation of the research project I began as an undergraduate student became a core part of my doctoral dissertation. 

In what way has your major complemented your current job?

My major in psychology at Minnesota has been vital to my identity as an assistant professor in psychology today. From the faculty's compassion toward their students, the multitude of extracurricular opportunities (e.g., research, student groups), to learning the real-world applications of psychological science, Minnesota's psychology program has molded my professional career into what it is today. 

How did you find your current position? Please include any resources you may have used (UMN or otherwise)

I found my current position through traditional academic job posting boards. However, some of my undergraduate positions were obtained through the Psych Scoop newsletter and the GoldPass system. 

What advice do you have for our current psych students and recent grads?

My advice is to leave your comfort zone and seek out opportunities that seem scary. There is no shortage of growth opportunities inside and outside the college, yet many do not try. One of the biggest lies we tell ourselves is "I can't do that." I was bad at math, now I research psychological statistics. I was shy talking in front of crowds, now I love that aspect of teaching. I frequently told myself "I can't do that" until I left my comfort zone and found out that, actually, I can.

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