Where are you from?
I am from Northern California.
What drew you to studying psychology?
In high school I gained an interest in becoming a therapist after attending therapy myself. I have always enjoyed further understanding mental processes and how each individual can live a life filled with high levels of well-being. I want to create change starting with personal improvements!
What has been your experience as a student of both the College of Liberal Arts and the Honors College?
Both the College of Liberal Arts and the Honors College have provided me with access to interesting, thought provoking, and nuanced topics and courses. I have found friends through the Honors College with interests much different from my own that have inspired me to explore new concepts. I have been able to participate in research as an undergraduate and have been working toward completing my own original research about sexual assault prevalence and resource use.
Have you started your honors thesis? If yes, what’s the topic and/or focus of your research? If not, are you considering any ideas so far?
Yes! I am researching the prevalence of campus sexual assault and resource use. I am currently in the data collection stages of my project and plan to complete my thesis in spring of this year.
What have been some of your favorite classes taken?
A colloquial course I took called Cults and New Religions, Psychology of Disability, and Autism and Neurodivergency were classes I have taken that stand out to me. In the religions course, my classmates and I discussed philosophical topics relating to religion and how we as a society define it. Psychology of Disability was a unique course that not many colleges offer. It gave a great framework to build on my understanding of people around me with disabilities, myself, and my future clients. Similarly, Autism and Neurodivergency taught me about myself, people I know, and aided in my understanding of how to work with clients with autism or neurodivergence.
What are you hoping to do after you graduate?
Once I graduate I am hoping to attend graduate school for clinical psychology and earn my licensure to become a licensed therapist.
How do you feel that your experience in CLA and HC is setting you up for success?
Because I had the opportunity to participate in and perform my own research, I gained many skills that will contribute to my ability to comprehend lengthy research articles and analyze data sets. These skills will ensure that I am able to provide evidence based practices for my future clients! I was also able to attend events that prepared me for creating professional standard resumes for both job and graduate school applications.