Her Story
About Giulia
Giulia Cantella serves as a Research Assistant at Brown University Health in Providence, Rhode Island. In this role, she conducts interviews with participants, recruits for studies, and analyzes data focused on substance use and drug abuse. Cantella earned her psychology degree from Penn State University, graduating magna cum laude after transferring credits and completing her studies in two years following initial coursework in Italy. She previously gained research experience in a lab at Penn State, where she presented a panel at the APA conference on perceived stress, anxiety, and cannabis use among college students. Her achievements include being selected as student representative of the School of Behavioral Sciences and Education, winning a poster contest for Martin Luther King Day, and contributing to a video that received the 18th Annual CAPI Award. Cantella holds memberships in the Penn State Alumni Association, the National Society of Leadership and Success, and Psi Chi, the International Honor Society in Psychology. She maintains certifications such as CITI training for human subjects research, a mandated reporter certificate, and psychological first aid training from Johns Hopkins University. Her volunteer work includes supporting individuals with disabilities at the Nazareth non-profit in Italy from 2018 to 2019 and participating in the Envision Cleveland revitalization project during Spring Break 2024. Cantella attributes her success to discipline, a sense of duty, and passion for her work, and she values reliability, family support, curiosity, and empathy in both her professional and personal life.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Giulia
01What do you attribute your success to?
I would attribute my success to discipline and a sense of duty that I developed growing up, always getting things done even if unpleasant, and passion for what I do. If you're trying to excel in something you're not passionate about, it will feel empty. Discipline helps focus on goals despite distractions.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice is to ask questions. I used to be scared to ask questions due to my education background in Italy where you just listen, but asking questions shows motivation and interest, opens doors, and helps you learn and grow faster.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Never apologize for who you are or let others intimidate you. Own who you are, especially as a young woman, because people may assume you're incompetent based on looks or age. Be unapologetically yourself and people will see your qualities and knowledge.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge is gaining trust from participants struggling with substance use and alcohol abuse, as they share sensitive information that could affect their lives. It is also a big opportunity to grow and learn from unique experiences that you couldn't find elsewhere.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Reliability is important because I want to be someone others can count on. Family support drives me. Curiosity and enthusiasm for the work I chose, not just for income. Empathy comes naturally and makes a difference in people's days.
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