Laura Wishingrad

MIMS 2013
Integration Specialist
RichRelevance

Life before the I School

I went to UC San Diego for my undergraduate degree and studied cognitive science, specializing in human computer interaction. For two years, I lived in Paris, working in an Apple store.

Why the I School

I wanted a program that has strong connections with industry professionals. Location had a lot to do with that, so the I School’s proximity to San Francisco and Silicon Valley was very appealing. Of course, the quality of the faculty and courses offered was the most important factor, and the I School lives up to Berkeley’s reputation.

Area of interest

I’m interested in interaction design. But as a result of being in a program that’s so multi-disciplinary, I have become more aware of and interested in other areas, like policy and business.

Information issue that intrigues me

In the last decade, we've shifted from a problem of information access to one of information overload. Our days are filled with a constant stream of status updates, news, articles, and photos. We used to file everything away for future retrieval, but it has become impossible to keep track of everything. Articles are written, photos are taken, only to be read and seen once, and then fall into the digital black hole. But people have a desire and a need to recall memories. Our technologies should be able to support this.

Favorite things about the I School

The I School attracts people from all sorts of backgrounds, and brings us together in a collaborative environment. We create our best work on interdisciplinary teams, each of us sharing our perspectives and contributing our skills. And the connections we're able to make, with current students, graduating students, and alumni, provide a unique advantage. It's a great community to be a part of.

Formative experience

A project that stands out for me is the one I did for my Information Systems and Service Design class. My group was working to help small, family-owned wineries attract new customers and create stronger relationships with their existing customers. The best part of the project was the dynamic within our group. We each brought complementary skills to the team, and we challenged each other to find a viable business solution.