With a registered nurse and caregiver as a mother, my family was never surprised when I developed an interest in caregiving, too. As I watched my mother hide her pain to find a way to help yet another patient gets up on their feet, it felt as though caregiving was the most important job on Earth. She inspired me to help people in any way possible. Unconsciously, I became her confidant. I made up my mind to become my mother’s caregiver. When the world was on her shoulders and her back was against the wall, I was her outlet. I became the one whom she spoke with to unburden her mind. I would hold her hands, listen to her and encourage her to say it all. I assumed the role of counselor to my family, friends, and even strangers because when they told me their troubles, I tried to put myself in their shoes and encourage them to think of solutions. Unknowingly, I was developing a vital skill — listening — which would launch me into this field.
To make a profession out of my passion, I started my education at the city college of San Francisco where I accomplished three associate degrees in Psychology, Social Behavioral Science, and Child Development. That was where I cracked the code of what I want to do for the rest of life: help people. I transferred to San Francisco State University, where I majored in Psychology, intending to apply to San Jose State to complete my master’s degree. Having renowned scholars for teachers at San Francisco State University, I developed a passion for helping people with mental health issues, as well as children. I enjoy working with young children because I have the ability to make the biggest positive impact on their lives. I have been a preschool teacher for over three years, and I had the privilege of working with children and families from many different social-economic backgrounds and abilities. In working with such a diverse group of children, I increased my knowledge and passion for psychology.
My interest in psychotherapy became prominent when I applied my psychological knowledge to the real world as a talk line volunteer at Safe and Sound. I talk with parents who are going through a range of struggles like anxiety, custody issues, depression, domestic violence, interpersonal conflict, substance abuse, suicide/suicidal ideation, and isolation. My experience at Safe and Sound taught me so much about myself and the needs of others. It inspired me to continue my volunteer work to help parents undergoing difficulties so that their state of mind does not affect their children. As a talk line counselor, we support families to develop inner strengths and increase flexibility so they can be there for their kids. Although I enjoy talking over the phone as a talk line counselor, I believe I will make more impact working with clients in person. I have not yet developed the knowledge and tools to help people in person, but I am confident that San Jose State will give me the tools necessary to help individuals in need.
San Jose State University offers evidence-based practice, which is very important to me because without material to understand what someone is going through, it is difficult to be effective. San Jose provides tested and trusted best-researched evidence with clinical expertise and patient values, which I can then integrate into my patient’s treatments. San Francisco State University prepared me to pursue a master’s program, while my volunteer work has enabled me to understand how diverse individuals handle crises and how important a therapist can be in somebody’s life. I am prepared to work extremely hard to achieve my goal, and I am certain San Jose University is where I need to invest my knowledge and experience to become a therapist.
As a career goal, I would like to start my practice to work with low-income communities who need help. People from low-income schools have trouble affording therapy. Although I enjoy working with children as an educator, I would like to work with individuals as a therapist. I find it difficult to stand on the sideline and watch when someone is struggling with mental needs. People are resilient and need patience, support, and someone who believes in them. Recently, people have seen mental health as a disability and therefore ignore the fact that they need to take care of themselves. To achieve my vision, I also need to become a licensed therapist, which San Jose University offers. My experiences over the years have helped me develop effective communication skills, and I am naturally curious and like learning new things. I am looking forward to all the challenges this school may bring, as I am ready to surmount them.
I would like to invest my time at San Jose University because it will prepare me to be a well-rounded individual in the field of psychology. Getting my degree from San Jose would provide me with the highest level of experiential training and allow me the freedom and competence to choose from a variety of theoretical orientations. It will push me to be the best person I can be and will maximize my potential for becoming the best therapist I can be as well. The Counseling Psychology program is an ideal match for what I am looking for in a graduate school because of the balance in theory and practice. San Jose’s innovative curriculum will give me cohesive knowledge that will prepare me to help people who are suffering. It will allow me to focus on the needs of clients while also allowing me to grow and understand myself as an individual. I believe that San Jose would be an exceptionally good fit for me and my goals due to the reputation and quality of evidence-based practice that it provides.
