Personal Narrative: Switching To Psychology

Growing up with a father in the military, you move around a lot more than you would like to. I was born just east of St. Louis in a city called Shiloh in Illinois. When I was two years old my dad got the assignment to move to Hawaii. We spent seven great years in Hawaii, we had one of the greatest churches I have ever been to name New Hope. New Hope was a lot like Olivet's atmosphere, the people were always friendly and there always something to keep someone busy. I used to dance at church, I did hip-hop and interpretive dance, but you could never tell that from the way I look now.

Over my years of school, one big influence on me has always been sports. Ever since a young age, I have always enjoyed playing and watching sports. In my four years in high school, I have fell in love with the sport of lacrosse.

I woke up and took one bite out of my pop tart but that one bite was all I could eat. My legs were shaking, and my heart was pounding. My dad told me, “It is a true honor to even make it this far so go out there and have some fun.” Once I heard this statement, I knew I was ready to go. I arrived at school and boarded the bus. The car ride was an hour and fifteen minutes of hearing the squeaking of the wheel on the bus. My teammates were getting their heads ready for the big game.

“Casey, your group needs to do the stunt one more time!” coach said imprudently. It happened March 26, 2015; it was at the end of a two hour practice. During the summer months in South Georgia, it is utterly hot and humid, especially in our cheer gym (a warehouse with no air conditioner); it only has two heavy-duty fans and a roll-up door. With this in mind, my group became slightly irritated. Everyone was exhausted; nevertheless we still had to do the stunt anyway.

1. The 2nd case study made me reflect on my first head coaching job in football. I was hired by a school in south Texas with the help of a friend I coached with in Oklahoma. He had moved back to his hometown and started teaching and coaching at his high school. He contacted me about the opening and two months later I was hired. I hired him to be one of my assistants and even made sure that he was paid well as a thank you. I was very disappointed with the way he coached that year. I had already make arrangements to move him to a non-coaching position for the next season. I realize I never spoke with him about my expectations or made him aware of how I felt during the season. I identity with Dr. Skinner is some regards. I was caught up in the other aspects of teaching, coaching, and AD duties, I neglected to take care of that issue. I understand that it is OK to hire a trusted colleague or friend but the expectations of them should not be any different of anyone else.

Last summer I wanted to work and earn a little cash and distract myself and not be home all summer. I didn't know where to apply so I applied everywhere I was even open to working in the fields my parents told me that the fields were the last place they ever wanted me to work. My mom and step dad Raul always told me that field work wasn't easy and that it was not for me but I didn't listen.

Just so you know, this is the Big Apple and I rule this town. New York City is filled with tall buildings, great culture, and historical sites. No other city has so much beauty that it takes your breath away; yet, there is a real danger that lurks on the streets. I should know because I am Detective Michael Morgan a United States Super Spy in charge of capturing dastardly villains who are set on destroying our world. Armed with mind-altering powers, Alex Higgins is on the top of the FBI’s list of the ten most wanted men in America. This thug is one of the greatest danger to our world and must be captured and jailed in the vault of death. There is no place safe for him to hide from the law and rumor has it, he is in my town. You break the law here in New York City, you pay the ultimate price: freedom.

Walking away from everything you once knew and starting over is never a picnic. Leaving Iraq, and moving to America has impacted my life more than anything. I was only 4 years old at that time, and the only English I spoke was “excuse me, water please.” My family and I did not know it then, but our lives were going to change; we would become “Americanized”. Learning English was one of the massive changes that occurred, the way I dressed (culture), and even the way I had power to go to school and educate myself.

Going to college is very uncommon within my family, not many of my family members have furthered their education with the college route. I thought going above and beyond others within my family and putting in the effort that goes along with college would really help me stand out from my family members. Most of my family have went straight into the workforce , straight out of high school with that being one of my options, that influenced me with the major of Production Agriculture due to the fact my family and I have been raised to run a farm. By doing the extra step and going through with college I believe my standpoint on running a farm will have a slight advantage then my other family members. Unlike most people in my family

Over the course of my internship, I have attended additional trainings and received certifications for my anticipated career in Mental Health Counseling. I have had the opportunity to attend a training and become CPR certified, become a Suicide Prevention QPR Certified Gatekeeper, in addition to registering for a Mental Health First Aid training. Within the agency, I was provided trainings on Credible, our documentation database, EVS to run client’s state funded insurance, and Navinet to run commercial or private insurance for clients. Human Services, Inc. provides one hour of training on Credible, which I believe should be improved. Also, more training should be provided when it comes to insurance because knowing and understanding insurance

Currently I am trying to get my certification for counseling, needing only a high school diploma and this certification I will be able to start on my path toward my career. First getting the certification will require me to contact the National Board for Certified Counselors. Once I have met their guidelines and receive the certification I will be able start researching careers that accept entry level certified counselors.

In taking the only test, I did not take it as seriously as I should have. I have worked in Ohio, Arizona, New York and now Japan in the field of counseling and social work. With those years, I have had the unfortunate opportunity of being a mandated reporter on several occasions.

Do you believe that your role as a therapist will end at the end of the day or will it be present in your personal life also?

I am applying as a Psychology major. Although my major was not always psychology. I started my community college career as a Biology major. So for my first year the majority of my courses were chemistry or biology. I found that though I enjoyed them, I didn't have a strong passion for these subjects. I felt as though I rushed into choosing a major without taking the time to properly educate myself on the different subjects.

I still remember those painful words from my grandmother: “It’s all in your head darling, you need to be stronger than this! How will you manage to survive the other challenges to come? They’ll be far worse than something as trivial as this.” Her argument always was that if everyone else could get through it, I could too. Every time I would talk about my interests in pursuing clinical psychology as a career, she would roll her eyes at me. She would repeatedly lecture me, “Why don’t you do something meaningful? You’re so smart my love, don’t let such amazing brains go to waste!” She always told me that mental illnesses were nothing but an excuse that people would use to get out of difficult situations. Those people just didn’t try hard enough