Career Path Of A Senior Behavioral Designer At A Behavioral Design Firm
Marisa's career path, beginning with a psychology and applied behavior analysis undergraduate degree, evolved through fellowships at Princeton and the House of Representatives, a master's in Public Policy and Management from Carnegie Mellon, and a Mickey Leland Hunger Fellowship in Kenya. This led to their current role as a Senior Behavioral Designer at Ideas 42, where they apply behavioral science to "social good," working on projects ranging from "anti-narratives about poverty" to financial justice, showcasing a unique blend of academic background, international experience, and a commitment to positive social impact.
International Development, Public Policy, Behavioral Science, Career Pivoting, Nonprofit Sector
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Marisa Nowicki
Senior Behavioral Designer
Behavioral Design Firm
University of North Texas
Carnegie Mellon University: Masters in Public Policy and Management (MSPPM), 2019
Medical, Sciences & Related, Psychology
Climate, Environment, Sustainability & Waste Management, Nonprofit, Foundations & Grantmaking
Consulting
Honors Student, Scholarship Recipient, Took Out Loans, Greek Life Member, First Generation College Student
Video Highlights
1. Marisa's career path highlights a valuable combination of psychology, public policy, and international development, demonstrating how diverse experiences can contribute to a career in behavioral design.
2. Her fellowships (Princeton PPIA and North Texas DC) and international experiences (New Zealand, Australia, Kenya) showcase the importance of seeking diverse opportunities and international exposure in building a unique skillset.
3. Her master's thesis on preventing food waste through community food donation organizations, combined with her work at Biodiversity International and Ideas 42, illustrates how academic research and real-world experience can be synergistic and lead to impactful work in behavioral design.
Transcript
Could you walk me through your career path, starting with your experiences in college? Please include any internships or jobs you had before your current role.
I started my undergraduate studies as a psychology major with a focus on applied behavior analysis. I was genuinely interested in how people think and interact with the world, though I wasn't sure what career path this would lead to.
During my junior year, I was awarded a fellowship with Princeton for Public Policy and International Affairs, the PPIA Fellowship. This experience sparked a deep interest in public policy and international affairs.
While still an undergraduate, I participated in the North Texas DC fellowship. This opportunity allowed me to live in Washington D.C. for a semester and intern with the House of Representatives.
After graduating, I took some time off and spent a couple of months traveling and working on organic farms in New Zealand. I was fascinated by agriculture and nutrition, and although I didn't see the direct connection to my career yet, I knew I was passionate about international development.
The following semester, I began my master's in Public Policy and Management program at Carnegie Mellon. I pursued their global track, spending a year in Australia and another year in Pittsburgh. My master's focused on international development.
Following my master's, I received the Mickey Leland Hunger Fellowship through the Congressional Hunger Center. This program connects American talent with international organizations focused on food security. It was a perfect fit, as it allowed me to combine my background in agriculture and international development with their need for expertise in public policy, behavior change, and agriculture.
My master's capstone thesis also focused on preventing food waste through community food donation organizations, which further solidified this connection. I then moved to Kenya and lived there for two years, working as a policy analyst and behavior change specialist for Biodiversity International, a research and development organization.
After my time in Kenya, I transitioned to my current role. I am now a Senior Behavioral Designer at Ideas 42, based in Washington D.C. Ideas 42 is a firm that studies human decision-making and behavior, applying these insights to social good initiatives.
Our work spans a wide range of areas, from developing anti-poverty narratives to helping individuals act on their best intentions. We focus on domains such as human rights, sustainability, cash transfers, and financial health and justice. I've been with the organization for about three years.