Three Minute Thesis Leads Liz Mahon, PhD '25, to Career Success
March 17, 2025
Abigail Arnold | Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
When Liz Mahon, PhD ‘25 in Psychology, began her time at Brandeis University’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (GSAS), she quickly found a sense of community within her lab and department. “That's why I chose Brandeis,” she said. “The small program fosters collaboration rather than competition.” Over time, Mahon expanded her connections beyond her department, connecting with other students, faculty, and staff through experiences in coursework, GSAS programming, and the 2023 Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition. With her presentation in the latter, she carried away the top prizes at Brandeis and the regional competition, ultimately earning a spot at nationals.
Now, Mahon uses the skills she gained during her time at Brandeis in her leadership role as a data analytics manager at Appcast, where she has worked for six months. She manages a nationwide team of seven data analysts, assigning data analysis tasks, overseeing various automation projects, and establishing workflows to optimize efficiency. “My role is to create cohesion among analysts,” she said. “A big part of it is thinking outside the box about how we can refine procedures to boost efficiency while maintaining and enhancing the quality of our work. I’m auditing our data analysis processes so analysts can focus on generating deeper insights.”
Mahon credits much of her career success to her Brandeis experiences, particularly her participation in 3MT. “I had a fantastic experience competing in 3MT at Brandeis,” she said. “I had a lot of support and was able to think very strategically about my preparation.” When applying for jobs, she included a link to her website, which featured a video of her competing, on her resume. “3MT, along with my PhD, analytics background, and my experience managing a team of research assistants, was a major factor in getting multiple interviews and ultimately landing my current job, even though I had less experience than other candidates,” she said. “They told me that I was a natural storyteller and that they wanted me to lead their analysts in developing data presentation skills, among other goals. I had no idea how much 3MT would shape my job search or help me secure a leadership role.”
She also praised the support and resources that Brandeis gave her in the professional development process. “I definitely think that if I had attended a different school, finding and transitioning into an industry role wouldn’t have been as seamless,” Mahon said. “The support I received was crucial. Managing research assistants in my lab prepared me for leading a team, and my advisor’s mentorship shaped the kind of mentor I want to be —someone caring and honest who inspires others and helps guide their growth.” Beyond the lab and 3MT, she participated in other professional development opportunities. “Marika McCann, of the GSAS professional development team, frequently sent out emails about events, and I definitely made sure to take advantage of them,” she said. “She also gave me incredible help with my resume. When speaking with current students, I have really emphasized the benefits of working with the professional development team and making the most of Brandeis’ resources.”
To Mahon, Brandeis stands out for its commitment to supporting graduate students as they transition into their careers. “The level of support at Brandeis is unique and very special,” she said. “Students I know from other universities felt very burnt out by the time they graduated, but many Brandeis grads, myself included, felt very supported and ready to hit the ground running into their careers. It’s important to recognize how fortunate we are to have access to all these people and resources that make our lives so much easier.”
