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

After graduating high school, I attended Moorpark Community College for three years, where I earned an Associate Degree in Biology. After a gap year, I then transferred to UC Davis. Two years later, I graduated with a degree in Genetics and Genomics and a minor in Art History.

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?

During my first year at UC Davis, I was exploring what I wanted to do in my future career. I knew I loved genetics and helping people, but I didn’t know how to combine the two. After I attended a club meeting with UC Davis’s Genetic Counseling Club, I was drawn to this remarkable field. With genetic counseling, I have found a field that combines my strengths, my values, and my interests.

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 had a long history with the medical field since I was a kid. My family members have been diagnosed with incurable diseases, and I watched their struggle closely with a heavy heart. Because of these experiences, the medical field scared me greatly. When I first encountered genetic counseling, I was resistant to pursuing it as a career. It took a long time for me to sit with my fears and decide if genetic counseling was the right path for me. However, since I made my decision, I haven’t looked back.

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

I loved meeting my fellow cohort members and hearing about their unique experiences and insights. It’s amazing to find so many people who love the field as much as you do. Also, I really enjoy how tailored graduate school is and how every class matters. Everything is applicable to your future.

What is one fun and interesting fact about you?

I love learning about cultures and languages! In my life, I hope to travel the world, eat delicious food, learn as many languages as I can, and experience the incredible diversity all around us.