Andrew Petersen
M.S. in Human Computer Interaction (HCI) student at UC Santa Cruz, leveraging a B.A. in Psychology and a background in team leadership. Passionate about converting insights on human behavior into intuitive user experiences. Developing expertise in interaction design and usability while contributing analytical, interpersonal, and detail-oriented skills to impactful UX projects.
Download Resume(PDF, updated Oct 2025)
Education
University of California, Santa Cruz
M.S. in Human Computer Interaction
Sep 2025 - Dec 2026
4.0 GPA
- Expected Dec 2026
Santa Clara, CA
B.A. in Psychology, cum laude
Jan 2022 - Jul 2023
3.85 GPAHonors in the MajorDean's Honors
Santa Cruz, CA
De Anza College
Psychology Transfer Coursework
Sep 2019 - Dec 2021
3.80 GPADean's List
Cupertino, CA
Research
First Gen Students Across UCs
Apr 2023 - Jun 2023
Qualitative Research Methods | UCSC
Santa Cruz, CA
- Conducted a 3-month qualitative study on how first-generation students navigate guilt and identity within the UC system, developing strong research and analytical skills
- Performed a literature review of 10 studies to identify gaps in existing research
- Developed an orthographic transcription method and interviewed 3 participants resulting in a 17-page transcript
- Utilized textual analysis to code the transcripts, produced a 14-page report, and presented findings to an audience of 40 students
Awards
Store Hourly Performance Award
Oct 2024
Target
- Recognized for outstanding performance and commitment at Target. This award is given annually to a select few hourly team members who demonstrate exceptional work ethic, leadership, problem-solving abilities, and operational efficiency
Employee of the Month (Q3 2024)
Jun 2024
Target
- Awarded quarterly to one employee from each department, recognizing exceptional performance and dedication to team goals
Employee of the Month (Q1 2024)
Jan 2024
Target
- Awarded quarterly to one employee from each department, recognizing exceptional performance and dedication to team goals
Skills
Technical Skills: Google Suite, Premiere Pro, Photoshop, Java, Figma, HTML, CSS, JS, Bootstrap 5, Git
Soft Skills: Leadership, Customer Service, Conflict Resolution, Problem Solving, Adaptability, Detail Oriented, Time Management
Experience
Target
Mountain View, CA
Full Time · On-site
1 yr 6 mos
Service & Engagement Team Leader
Oct 2024 - Mar 2025
Store Hourly Performance Award
8 mos
- Managing a team of 40 individuals, driving significant growth in key metrics through effective coaching, support, performance management, and fostering a strong team culture
- Contributing to double digit improvements in key drivers such as Checkout Wait Time, Cleanliness, and Customer Interaction compared to the previous year
- Taken full ownership of Drive Up operations, reducing unscanned bags by 10% to under 3%, improving fulfillment accuracy, ensuring timely execution of Drive Up services during Q4 peak, and increasing Drive Ups delivered on time by over 7% during my time in role
Price Delegate
Mar 2024 - Aug 2024
Employee of the Month
6 mos
- Consistently achieved 97-99% RFID scan accuracy and maintained full RFID compliance, contributing to a reduction in missing clothing inventory
- Improved Price Audit accuracy by over 3% through follow-ups with team members, validating pricing on newly stocked merchandise, and ensuring correct labeling, resulting in more than a 70% decrease in pricing errors compared to the previous year
- Ensured sale sign take down compliance, reducing price challenges due to expired signage by 22%
Guest Advocate
Jan 2024 - Mar 2024
Employee of the Month
3 mos
- Handled returns, Drive Up services, and took ownership of Guest Service, stepping up to ensure smooth operations
- Delivered excellent guest experiences by actively resolving guest issues and ensuring positive outcomes
- Adapted to changing tasks and ensured completion of daily responsibilities, maintaining store readiness
Guest Advocate (Seasonal)
Oct 2023 - Jan 2024
3 mos
Independent Virtual Creator
San Jose, CA
Part Time · Hybrid
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Content Manager
Apr 2022 - Present
- Content manager for a digital personality, contributing to growth from 1k streams in 2022 to over 850k total streams as of 2025 across YouTube and Spotify
- Expertise in content strategy, analytics, and research to enhance digital presence and growth
- Skilled in proofreading, managing releases, and delivering data driven insights to optimize engagement and performance