Scripps, Therapist, California
/My time in high school
Attended high school in the
2000s
Overall high school experience
6/10. Fine, but family life was messed up
Grades in high school
A's and B's
Favorite subjects
English, Math, Psychology
Struggled with...
Science, I just did not like anything about it except for the math parts. Also didn't have great teachers for these subjects.
Favorite extracurricular
Performance Art
Life since high school
“Originally in college, I was expecting to continue my education with getting a PhD, however did not get into any of the schools I applied for....Best thing that ever happened to me, because I quickly realized that the part of psychology I enjoy the most is providing therapy, not the research. ”
Attended college / university at
Scripps College
Majored in
Psychology
Post-graduate education or training
Got my Master's degree in social work and am now a Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Places lived in US
California
Current occupations / past occupations
Working as a therapist for the Navy currently, have been working primarily as a therapist since graduating college.
Industries I've worked in
- Retail Trade
- Health Care and Social Assistance
- Nonprofit
Did your education prepare you for your career or occupation?
Yes, my education directly correlated to my professional career
Has your education or career/occupation trajectory ever changed? How?
Originally in college, I was expecting to continue my education with getting a PhD, however did not get into any of the schools I applied for. So I had a year off before I decided to get my Masters. Best thing that ever happened to me, because I quickly realized that the part of psychology I enjoy the most is providing therapy, not the research.
A little introspection...
To me, being successful means...
being happy and confident in myself. having positive relationships with people who love me as much as I love them.
My definition of success has not changed over time.
My greatest accomplishment to date and what I’ve learned from it
I think my greatest accomplishment in life so far has been learning to be comfortable with myself. not that I always like myself, my body, or that I haven't made mistakes, but the realization that I don't have to care so much about what others think of me has led me to a happier life. I still struggle with being comfortable, it's not just a switch you flip on once, but it's definitely worth the effort to accomplish.
My biggest mistake or regret so far and what I’ve learned from it
Biggest mistake was trying to kill myself in high school. I tried to overdose and luckily didn't succeed. I learned a lot from the experience though, one of which was that I needed to ask for help when I needed it, not wait until things got so unbearable that suicide seemed like an option. It also made me realize that I wanted to go into the mental health field and help people who struggled with what I struggled with. wish I hadn't learned these lessons in this way, but can't go back and change it now.
An unexpected event that significantly changed my life and how it impacted me
In high school, multiple family members got sick at the same time, which significantly changed the dynamic in my family. I thought I couldn't ask for help with my struggles because everyone else was struggling too and that no one would understand me anyway. Luckily, it helped shape my perspective and develop more empathy for others, so when I see someone being mean or uncaring, I can see from another perspective that maybe they are in pain (emotionally or physically) or that they have different expectations/values, which helps me in interacting with them effectively. Not that you can't set boundaries still and hold people accountable for their actions, but I had to learn to do it in a way that was more effective and empathetic, rather then being passive or aggressive.
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My favorite spot in or around Palo Alto
Mitchell park and the library there, I used to spend hours there
