Could you tell us a little bit about your educational background?

I graduated in 2021 with a bachelor of science in Conservation Biology and a minor in Health and the Humanities. I also completed an Emergency Medical Technician course through EMT & Fire Incorporated during my gap year.

What first got you interested in the healthcare field as a career choice? There are a lot of career options in the field -nursing, physician assistant, etc., what made you decide that genetic counseling was the right practice area/career choice for you?

I have always been interested in biology, psychology, and people. I initially wanted to be a Physician Assistant, but then I was introduced to Genetic Counseling, which was clearly better aligned with my interests. I discovered my passion for advocacy while volunteering with the disabled community, as well as while working in psychiatry during my gap year. I wanted to advocate for patients outside of just physical health, and genetic counselors also get to assist with mental health, family dynamics, and so much more. Plus, genetics is super cool! Therefore I decided to pursue genetic counseling as a better fit for me.

What type of obstacles have you had to overcome on the road to getting your education and in particular in pursuing your Genetic Counseling degree?

I have struggled with mental illness my whole life, and it runs in my family. I have had to work extra hard and overcome many barriers to get to where I am today. While difficult at times, I know my personal experiences with mental illness will allow me to better empathize with patients and relate to their struggles and the ways it can affect families. I am proud of all I have overcome, and I cannot wait to apply my experiences to genetic counseling.

What are you most looking forward to about beginning your Genetic Counseling studies?

So far, I have learned so much, and have been working with the most amazing people. I look forward to learning more fun genetics facts and continuing to get to know my amazing cohort.

What is one fun and interesting fact about you?

I love reptiles and have owned tortoises, aquatic frogs, poisonous toads, and a chameleon!