There’s no denying that artificial intelligence is changing nearly every industry. For many professionals, that shift has raised questions about long-term career security. Even veteran stuntwoman Heather Bonomo — whose resume includes Captain Marvel, American Sniper, 1923 and Ford v Ferrari — began thinking about what the future might hold.
Rather than waiting to see where the industry was headed, Bonomo decided to prepare herself by earning a Master of Science in Applied Psychology (MAPP) online from the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences.
That decision marked another chapter in a career defined by reinvention and adaptability.
Long before she became known for her stunt work, Bonomo envisioned a career in law. She began her undergraduate journey at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs before transferring to USC, where she studied political science and business law with plans to attend law school.
Those plans changed after an unexpected purchase — a motorcycle — sent her down an entirely different path.
“When I came to California, I had to get to work in West Hollywood on time, and I was constantly late, so I bought a motorcycle,” Bonomo told USC Online. “That motorcycle ultimately changed my whole life.”
After discovering she had a natural talent for riding, she landed motorcycle shoots for Harley-Davidson. The experience introduced her to the world of stunt performance, and she realized it was a career she wanted to pursue.
The gamble paid off. Over the years, Bonomo performed stunts on multiple blockbuster productions, becoming the longtime stunt double for Better Call Saul actress Rhea Seehorn, whose collaboration continued on the new series Pluribus.
But before artificial intelligence became a major concern in Hollywood, another industry disruption forced Bonomo to think about her future. During the 2023 SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes, productions across the entertainment industry came to a standstill, leaving thousands of film and television professionals without work.
“My gosh, I had submitted so many applications to different companies, and nobody called me for an interview,” she recalled. “I realized just being a stuntwoman wouldn’t help me land a different kind of job. I also realized with AI and the advances in AI, even after we came back, that going back to school was probably a good idea.”
When production resumed, Bonomo returned to work with Seehorn on Pluribus, but the experience of the strikes had convinced her it was time to invest in herself.
She soon enrolled in USC Dornsife’s online MAPP program, a degree that teaches students to apply psychological science to real-world workplace and organizational challenges through research, data analysis and evidence-based decision-making. Psychology had long fascinated Bonomo, making the program a natural fit.
The online format and supportive faculty also made it possible to balance graduate school with an unpredictable filming schedule. While completing her coursework, she continued working overnight shoots around the country on productions including Twisters and Dutton Ranch.
If Bonomo had to miss a class session due to a work conflict, professors shared notes or provided recordings of the live sessions, ensuring she never felt like she was missing out.
“Everyone was understanding,” she said.
Now graduating with her master’s degree, Bonomo plans to continue working in stunt performance for as long as she can. She feels fortunate to work with filmmakers who remain committed to using real performers rather than replacing stunt work with AI alternatives. But when the day comes to make a career change, she knows she’ll be ready.
“I love my job in stunts. I absolutely love it,” she said. “I have work lined up for a while, and I’m lucky to work with people who are adamant about using humans and not computers. I’ll do this until I can’t anymore.”
She believes the degree has already changed what her future can look like.
“Based on the applications that I sent out during the strike and the minimal interviews that I got, I am 100% certain this degree will help me when I do choose to make that career pivot,” she said. “I’m going to have options I didn’t have before I started this program. I’m in a better spot and prepared if I do need to make a career change as AI becomes more prolific, and that’s a good feeling.”
For anyone considering graduate school, Bonomo doesn’t hesitate to recommend the MAPP program: “For anyone looking into this program, I highly recommend it. In fact, I highly recommend it to anyone,” she said. “It’s applicable to almost any industry. You can take what you learn here and bring it anywhere.”
Learn more about the MS in Applied Psychology (MAPP) online program today.