Hometown:
Seattle, WA
Growing up I felt like everybody seemed to know what they wanted to do. I felt kind of alone as I struggled to figure out my path in life and what I wanted to do. As I started to do self-exploration and researched different career paths, I found my passion for psychology. I got to combine my love for people with my love of learning, and it felt like the perfect fit for me!
Exploration Experience: It often felt like everyone around me had a clear sense of direction. They were drawn to a specific discipline or career path. I didn’t feel that same pull—I just knew two things: I loved the outdoors, and I loved people. So, I started there, exploring marine biology as a possible career. But as I looked deeper into the coursework, I realized I wasn’t as excited as I’d hoped. That left me back at square one.
Next, I leaned into my love for people. I knew I wasn’t cut out for a career involving animal blood and guts, so I searched for other ways to work with people meaningfully and psychology stood out to me. As I began taking classes, I felt genuinely excited—each one was fascinating! I loved learning about how people think, feel, and move through the world! The classes weren’t always easy, but I was willing to put in the work because I cared deeply about the subject.
But my exploration didn’t stop there. Psychology opens doors to countless career paths, and I wanted to find the one that fits me best. I met regularly with my academic advisor, enrolled in challenging courses, and embraced opportunities like working in the Positive Psychology Lab and serving as a TA for History of Psychology.
At first, I considered a career in counseling. But as I learned more about the field, I found myself drawn to social work. It offered the chance to do counseling while also exploring roles in schools, nonprofits, and community organizations. Now, as I finish my bachelor’s degree in psychology, I plan to pursue a master’s in social work.
Why is Exploring Important to Me? Exploration has been a big part of my life, but especially in college. Through several experiences such as volunteering at the state hospital, working in a lab, and serving as a TA, I’ve come to understand myself better—what energizes me, what doesn’t, and what I want to carry forward into my professional life. These experiences have helped me make more intentional decisions about my future.
Looking Back: If I could go back, I’d spend more time connecting self-exploration with majors and careers. I wish I had dug deeper into why certain things excited me and been more intentional about identifying patterns in my interests. That’s why I’m so passionate about helping other students start self-exploration earlier—so they can make choices that truly reflect who they are and how they want to build their future.
Favorites:
- Book: This is so hard because I love to read, but I would have to go with Six of Crows.
- Movie: I absolutely love the Dead Poets Society.
- Food: Ribs and tacos (I really can’t choose.)
- Animal: Orcas
- Color: Navy blue
Does Pineapple Belong on Pizza? It has its place on pizza. It’s not my favorite, but I’m not opposed to it.
Boring Fact About Me: I don’t like sushi.
Hobbies: I love people, so I love doing things with friends! I also love being outdoors, so I enjoy hiking, swimming, and traveling. Reading and baking are my favorite hobbies as well.