How Did I End Up Here?

The path to finding the right career was a long one. During high school, I started thinking about potential career paths, but I could never decide on a field that accurately connected all of my interests. I first decided on a career in early child development, but after working as a nanny I soon realized that path was not right for me. I then looked into a career in psychology, however I did not want to be a practicing therapist or counselor. The prospect of becoming a research psychologist appealed much more to my interests. After doing some digging into the field, it still did not seem to be the right fit. As I was approaching my first day of college, I still had no idea what career I wanted in the future.

When I met with my advisor to talk about which classes to take, she suggested a career exploration course to help me find what career path best suits me. The course helped me dig deeper into what I really wanted out of a career, and it helped me define my areas of interest. Towards the end of the course I researched my top career choices, one of which was genetic counseling. I instantly knew this was my career.

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My Inspiration

There is one person in particular that inspired me and shaped my career interests. His name is Cody, he is a 12-year-old boy with a rare genetic disorder called Isodicentric Chromosome Disorder (IDIC 15). With his disorder, he has developmental delays, intellectual disorder, and epilepsy. I have worked for his family as his personal care assistant for the past five years. The way he approaches difficult tasks, navigates the challenges of everyday life, and the fact that he always has a smile on his face has taught me so much about myself and has made me want to find a career that allows me to show people that in the face of adversity, you still have so much to offer.

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What I Want to Achieve

As a genetic counselor, I want to help families. not only understand the risks of certain disorders and how to cope with a diagnosis, but also how to see the silver lining. I want to show them that even though it can be difficult to cope with and adjust to a new way of life, it is extremely important to enjoy the little things. To show them how to embrace the power and strength they have to be able to adjust and adapt during hardships. I do not want to just be a genetic counselor. I want to be a genetic counselor that makes people feel like a diagnosis is not a burden, but an indicator of their strength and resilience.

"You should never view your challenges as a disadvantage. Instead, it's important for you to understand that your experience facing and overcoming adversity is actually one of your biggest advantages"

~ Michelle Obama