Sahara GabalesIssue 9: July 2019

I always knew I wanted to continue my education beyond my bachelor’s degree. I began my undergraduate career with the intention of applying to medical school afterwards and becoming a psychiatrist. However, being in the Interactive Measurement Group for 5 semesters taught me a lot about alternative programs I could pursue. I eventually decided to apply to a Master in Social Work program. To increase the likelihood of getting accepted, I took on additional roles. For instance, I began doing volunteer work with service dogs and, thanks to Dr. Barchard, I found a job in the mental health field, working with a previous lab member as a biofeedback technician and doing basic skills training with clients. I was grateful to gain experience working in the mental health field while still an undergraduate, knowing it would look good on my CV.

The deadline to apply to graduate school was quickly approaching, and the thought of it was daunting; however, I felt prepared due to the experience I accumulated during my two years in the lab. From mock interviews and workshops on creating a CV, these experiences had prepared me for the process of applying to graduate school. If it had not been for Dr. Barchard’s guidance and the support of fellow lab members, this process would have been much more difficult. After a couple months of obtaining letters of recommendation, updating my CV, and writing my personal statement, I finished my application for UNLV’s Master of Social Work Program. About a month later, I was notified that I had been accepted. It was such an amazing feeling. I felt as if my hard work had finally paid off. I am excited to continue my education in the mental health field, starting the program this coming fall.