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

I graduated from the University of San Diego in 2020 with a Bachelor of Arts in biology and a minor in chemistry. Although I took many interesting classes during my undergraduate education, my genetics courses were always my favorite.

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 always loved my biology classes and was most interested in the topics of genetics whenever they were discussed, so I wanted to pursue a related career. It was my high school biology teacher who first taught me about what a genetic counselor does and I was in awe. I had been dreaming of a future in genetics that allowed me to see patients and help people while studying and learning the intricacies of the field. I think people can become scared of the idea of genetics, but with all my love for the subject, I wanted to be able to help people better understand themselves and their loved ones. I also hope to relieve some of the fears that can come with genetics and to guide my patients into the best choices for them.

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 anxiety for quite a while which, at times, has made it seem like getting to this point was not an option. However, I always knew this is exactly what I am meant to do. Graduating from my undergraduate university during the pandemic led to an overwhelming feeling of uncertainty, which allowed my anxiety to grow even more. Despite everything that was happening in the world and in my own head, I couldn’t let my fears keep me from this.

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

I’m really looking forward to learning more about cancer and the neurological side of genetic counseling. I’m also so excited to meet so many new and wonderful people who share the same passion and drive for this future as I do!

What is one fun and interesting fact about you?

I love to dance and I’m looking into taking ballroom dance classes to try something new in a new city!