What inspired you to pursue a major in psychology?
I grew up in a very religious community that did not accept the reality of mental health disorders or their need to be addressed professionally. Friends and family thought that if you were struggling mentally the sole solution was prayer. It was challenging for me to see firsthand the lack of understanding about mental health especially when several people dear to me were struggling with mental disorders. Because of this, I wanted to educate myself and bring more awareness to mental health and to the field of psychology. When I decided to pursue a psychology major, initially, friends and family did not understand my interest in the field, making it hard for them to be supportive. However, they are learning to become more accepting of my major and supporting my decisions.
What opportunities are you involved with?
I currently work at Sheppard Pratt in a residential unit. I work specifically with adolescents with mood and anxiety disorders using a combination of primarily Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) treatment methods. I learned how to become more flexible and adaptive while facilitating therapeutic and educational groups. Most importantly, I have come to recognize through first hand experience that all disabilities are different and therefore you must navigate each patient differently. In addition to my work at Sheppard Pratt, I interned at Kennedy Krieger, observing therapy sessions and supervisions.
How did you find these opportunities? Has the PSYC department helped you find these opportunities?
I managed to find jobs on my own because I knew what my goal was: clinical psychology. However, Towson University helped me find my internship. They provided me with a list of internship recommendations and I applied to a few using Handshake. Once I was accepted to an internship, Professor Evangeline Wheeler was flexible with me throughout the process and helped me alter my schedule to accommodate my internship, job, and school.
What skills did you learn from your work in the Laboratory of Comparative Neuropsychology Lab and interning at Kennedy Kreiger?
The most important skills I have learned during my internship and work with the Laboratory of Comparative Neuropsychology LCN lab is to keep an open mind, the importance of self-advocating, and communication. Coming to Towson, I knew that I wanted to pursue the clinical route – I did not want anything to do with research. However, after taking my PSYC 212 I found a new appreciation for how important research is to the field of psychology. Additionally, my PSYC 285 course with Dr. Devan further sparked my interest in research. While I am still passionate about clinical psychology, I can also appreciate the process of research. During my internship with Kennedy Krieger, I learned how to effectively advocate for myself. At the beginning of my internship, there was a slight scheduling mix-up. I felt as though I was not getting sufficient support from my manager. As an undergrad, I was able to respectfully inform my manager about any concerns, while also proposing possible solutions. After meeting with my manager, I resolved any conflicts and proceeded to learn a lot from that internship! Truthfully, efficient and respectful communication is such a crucial skill because it will help you in almost any internship, research lab, college course, and relationship!
Why should an undergraduate Towson PSYC student pursue an internship, occupational, or research opportunity?
Perhaps the most obvious reason … is to build up your resume. Graduate school for psychology is quite competitive and challenging to get into. Showing grad schools that you have already participated in research or interned will really make your application stand out! I also believe that interning is a wonderful way to get your foot in the door and build connections within the field. To me, the most important reason why PSYC undergrads should intern or participate in research is because these are places where you can make mistakes. Your manager or research supervisor knows that you are there to learn, and a part of learning is making mistakes. Another benefit to getting involved in a research lab or an internship is that you can potentially get course credit for your internship, which is always nice!
How have you balanced your internship and a part-time job at Sheppard Pratt with your course load?
Balancing my part-time job and coursework has been every bit difficult as it has been rewarding. Working on my self-care and mental health has truly helped me manage my busy schedule. I think a lot of people in the mental health field have a hard time prioritizing themselves – I know I still struggle with that. There seems to be some stigma about people in the psychology field going to therapy, but just because we are supposed to be the fixers that help others does not mean that we don’t need help. I recently started going to therapy, which has helped me so much to manage my day-to-day life. In addition to this, I try to leave my weekends free for socializing and relaxation.
Is there anything else you would like to tell all PSYC undergrads?
There are so many things you can do with a psychology degree, don’t let anyone sway you from pursuing your interest in this incredible field! Also, make sure to go out of your comfort zone and meet with your professors – they are wonderful resources and truly want to help!
Perhaps Some Important Quotes:
“Just because we are supposed to be the fixers that help others does not mean that we don’t need help”
“There are so many things you can do with a psychology degree, don’t let anyone sway you from pursuing your interest in this incredible field!”