During my third year at Loyola, I was able to explore many opportunities that engaged me to serve others and to ignite my own potential. After having had the opportunity to assist Dr. Haden and her Children's Memory & Learning Lab as an undergraduate assistant, I was able to find more opportunities that captured my interest in pursuing my own future goals. Some of my future goals included finding ways to help serve others, especially those who face social injustices. Also, some of my future goals included finding ways to have more clinical experience in order to pursue a Doctorate in Psychology, with hopes to one day work as a clinical psychologist. The Social Justice Internship Program did just that! After receiving the opportunity to intern at Misericordia, Heart of Mercy, I was able to work with members within a certain community. Because of my experience, I gained more knowledge, more wisdom, and more compassion about the issues that occur within the special needs community. After that experience, I developed an interest in pursuring a career that would one day serve the special needs population.

Another opportunity I received during my third year included being part of the Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccaleurate Achievement Program, a program that prepares underrepresented college students to succeed in college, with the hopes to pursue a graduate degree in graduate school. With the help from the McNair Scholars Program, I was able to experience opportunities I never thought I would be offered. By providing us research opportunities and by providing us guidance throughout the graduate school application process, the McNair Scholars Program made my experience worthwhile, especially with the friends I made along the way. 

Thanks to Loyola, I was able to develop skills, knowledge, and values that I know will one day help me along the way as I prepare to become a clinical psychologist. Through active learning, I hope to truly "go forth and set the world on fire."