My Career As An Undergrad

The individual that I chose to interview, we will refer to her as Ms. M, is a long-standing member of the counseling community and a personal and professional mentor of mine. Currently she works for the state in the social services field, though she still uses her dependency counselor skills, it is not to the same extent that she once did. However, because of her qualifications she is still able to conduct assessments, offer counseling, and help clients recognize and navigate potential addiction pitfalls. For this interview we spoke about her initial entry into the field and her time as a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (LCDC) in the women’s prison system.

Working in various school settings, I have been exposed to merely a glimpse of the future in which I pursue. I believe that this passion is driven by looking at my own school counselors when I was younger and realizing how great of an impact they have had on my life. From the counselors in elementary school that have helped me resolve issues with other children over a stolen crayon, to my counselors that pushed me over my limits at Rutgers University, I have become more aware of the positive impacts they have had on my life. I only aspire to be as great of a counselor to others, as they have been for me. This program embodies major values that I possess and would want to expand on in order to support the youth. Through the counseling program, I hope to gain more experience about how to help individuals in various topics such as academic support, self-development, and building relationships with these young

Following my internship, I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and accepted a position with the Department of Child Services (DCS) as a case manager; the same one I had observed in the forensic interview room years ago. Intervening in the lives of families as a DCS case manager is extremely fast-paced, stressful, contentious and heartbreaking. Entering a stranger’s home and making a decision that will impact their lives for years to come forces one

I had the pleasure interviewing Ms. Sabrina Anderson. Ms. Anderson is a Probation Counselor II at Foundations Residential Facility in Fairfax, Virginia. Foundations Residential Facility counsels young women between ages of 12-18 who are mandated by Fairfax Juvenile Court System due to various offences. Most of the women were victims of sexual and drug abuse. There are six residents at the facility whose probation period ranges from eight to twelve months long. The maximum number of ladies that are allowed is twelve: each counselor has two clients. The residents are required to stay at the facility for a week and then may go home on the weekends if they well behaved. In the beginning, Ms. Anderson and her client will come up with a plan/agenda

On November the 5th, an Interviewed was held at the East Tennessee State Counseling Center with two wonderful people. These two amazing women was Rebecca Alexander, and Mina McVeigh. Rebecca Alexander is a marriage and family counselor which helps marriage conflict, family miscommunication, understanding why a child is misbehaving, and etc. Mina McVeigh deals with a lot of troubled teens, neglected children, situations at an individual’s home, and a lot more. These women have very important roles on the East Tennessee State University campus.

In order to pursue my goal, I needed to finish my degree and gain experience working directly with youth. The first step was leaving my full-time position with DYC and working at one of the staff-secure facilities as a Coach Counselor. I began working part-time at the facility in September 2014 with both DYC and the Department of Human Services youth. My responsibilities include supervising the students during the different elements of their day (we refer to the youth as students or student athletes because our program emphasizes the value of education and the organization and teamwork in sports as a foundation to make positive changes in their lives), providing appropriate and supportive leadership, and being a positive adult role model. This experience has solidified my desire to work as a youth case manager or parole officer. I enjoy working with the students, celebrating their accomplishments with them, and helping them through disappointments and/or set-backs. In addition to my part-time position, I am also in the Air Force Reserves working as a Paralegal in the active duty legal

During my undergraduate studies, in Behavioral Healthcare at USF, I had the privilege to intern at the Juvenile Diversion Program (JDP) in Hillsborough County. I interacted with children: from diverse races; cultures; socioeconomic status; countless had involvement with protective services, and who committed first time misdemeanor offenses. Under the direction and guidance of my supervisor (a clinical social worker), I developed proficient interviewing and assessment skills (using GAIN Q and EARL instruments). I fell in love with the children and profession which led to my decision to pursue a master’s degree in social work.

Kathleen M. Gilbert is a social worker for Little Flower Children and Family Services in Jamaica, New York. Ms. Gilbert works in the mental health field of social work as a psychotherapist part time where she provides counseling and emotional support on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays in the late afternoons and evenings. Alongside social work, Ms. Gilbert is an instructor at Nassau Community College. She has been employed at Nassau Community College and Little Flower Children and Family for ten years. She found out about the agency through a friend that was already in the business of social work. Beginning her college experience, she started out double majoring in both the field of public health and French, after her bachelors she was able to receive her master’s in public health. Desiring a change, she got her masters in social work and was grandfathered in as a LCSWR. At one point, she was also grandfathered in to be a CASAC, which is a credential for substance abuse and alcohol counseling, and aided clients through all aspects of addiction and dependency. Her time as a CASAC was done through a community organization and she was the chairperson of the Brooklyn committee of alcoholism. Aside from providing psychotherapy services, she also gives referrals for adjunct services and makes home visits. Although she is no longer in the public health field directly, she has used her knowledge of counseling and education in public health to aid her in social work.

Having the opportunity to interview Feliza Martinez, a University of California, Irvine graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a California State University, Long Beach graduate with Masters of Science in Counseling gave me a perspective of the type of work that she does as an elementary school counselor. We both come from the same background and have face challenges

I had the opportunity on Friday, February 10th, 2017 to visit with Samantha Sanchez, a professional from the Kansas Children’s Service League regarding their Oasis program. The Oasis program works to serve youth, ages 10-17, that are either at risk for running away or have already run away from home. Sanchez is a case manager through KCSL and works with families and youth to prevent run-aways and build strong families. Before working at KCSL, Samantha completed a degree in psychology and had every intention of working in the field of family and children psychology. While applying for jobs after graduation, her application landed on Amber’s, her current supervisor’s, desk. Although it was not her original intended career, Samantha assured me that KCSL’s Oasis program is her home.

It's finally time. The moment I choose what college I will be attending. This is the moment where my life changes and I start my college career. I knew I wanted to go to a community college and eventually transfer to a university after getting my degree. I had a list of options, Macomb Community College, Oakland Community College, and Mott Community College. Mott was the first one to get the boot. Mott doesn't have the exact program I was looking for. The career I am pursuing is a legal assistant or also known as a paralegal. Oakland Community College sounded like the school for me. I am moving to Rochester Hills after high school so the location was ideal. I know people who attend the school so I could get some extra help if needed, and It's not expensive. Once I did some research, I realized that Oakland's paralegal program is at

Jenny had three field placements while in our program. During her senior year, she interned at the Department of Children and Families in Manchester CT. Much of her work consisted of providing case management to individuals and families; all the while demonstrating a good

“If you have a passion for it, you’ll find it out in the field” (Josh Valentino). I completed my criminal justice internship at the Yale Child Abuse Programs Department of Pediatrics, in New Haven Connecticut. My internship with the Child Abuse Programs was such an eye opening experience. I not only got to learn about my field of study, but this internship has also aloud me to discover a lot about myself as a person as well. When I walked into the Yale building on my first day as an intern, I did not know what to expect, and I certainly had no idea that my time there would leave such a huge impact on me. I remember thinking that this was my chance to confirm that my ultimate goal of working as a forensic psychologist was the right career choice me.

For six hours per week, I will have the chance to serve as a role model for residents as they transition from a juvenile delinquency back to their families, schools and neighborhoods. I am excited to intervene at this crucial junction in their lives, when they face a host of new challenges and choices, and I look forward to enhancing my understanding of a population I will undoubtedly encounter as a child and adolescent counselor. Though my struggle has differed significantly from theirs, I know my experiences have given me patience and perspective that will inform our conversations and, hopefully, prove value to them. I am very proud of my accomplishments over the past year and a half, and I am determined to keep moving

"The judge has made his decision, the accused has been found guilty." These are the words that one day I will finally hear. My future goal is to be a lawyer. A lawyer is a professional person authorized to practice law. They defend or prosecute people for the crimes they have committed. (dictionary.com) I am very out spoken and believe in fighting for what I want or think is right.