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Student Perspectives
One of the best ways to find out what it is like to be a student in a particular training program is to ask current students. We asked three of our current students, Bianca Ho, Michael Moore, and Stefanie Boswell, to share their perspectives of the Counseling Psychology doctoral program at The University of Southern Mississippi.
As an international student coming from Hong Kong, one of the most attractive and exciting cities in the world, “Why Mississippi?” was a common reaction that I got from others when I first decided to pursue my graduate study at The University of Southern Mississippi. At that time, my answer was simple “…because I trust that this program will provide me the training I need to achieve my career goals.” My experience and accomplishments thus far have proven that I was absolutely right. Not only has this program provided me a solid training on the fundamentals that allow me to be an independent researcher and clinician, but it has also provided me other unique and valuable opportunities that allow me to establish a unique study plan that meets my individual interests, goals, and needs. In addition to the continuous opportunities to participate in different research teams in a variety of areas, our faculty have also sought different outlets (e.g. hospital settings, mental health center etc) other than our in house clinic or university counseling center to supplement students’ clinical skills through “real world” practice.
Needless to say, there have been ups and downs in my graduate study. Yet, I am very fortunate to have a supportive and safe environment provided by my group of genuine and caring colleagues and advisors that encourages me to grow from these challenging experiences and to celebrate my achievements. I truly believe that this supportive and non-competitive attitude amongst our colleagues has created a holding environment for each and everyone of us to unfold our potentials and to reach for our excellence. These extensive supports from the students, faculty, and program have provided me a feeling of “second home” while I am separated from families to chase my dreams.
Though I have only been trained for a brief period of time (one and a half year) in this program, my accomplishments are a testament to the quality of training we receive. Over the last year, I have had different opportunities to participate in different research teams and had numerous presentations at both regional (e.g. Mississippi Psychological Association, South Eastern Psychological Association) and national conferences (e.g. American Psychological Association). In addition, I am also delighted to be selected as a co-author for one chapter of the American Psychological Association Graduate Students (APAGS) international students’ resource guide and as a co-chair for a newly developed student division of the Asian American Psychological Association (AAPA). Most recently, I have also been given a valuable opportunity to serve as a peer-reviewer for the New School Psychology Bulletin.
I believe the above short list of evidence already speaks for the quality of this program. Indeed, I am just on the opening page of my graduate studies and my career. More opportunities are yet to come. There is a Chinese adage saying that “Well begun is half done,” and I truly believe that the Counseling Psychology program at the University of Southern Mississippi has provided me such a beginning.
I had interviewed at several other schools prior to my interview and visit to the University of Southern Mississippi. While my visits and interviews were very enlightening and highlighted the many wonderful benefits these other schools had to offer, I never felt at home with any of these programs. This all changed with my visit to USM. I remember leaving the interview and thinking to myself “this is where I want to spend the next five years of my life, this feels like home.” I was coming from Arizona, so in reality Mississippi and my actual home were nothing alike. It was not the location, but rather the comfort that I felt from my interactions with the faculty and students when I interviewed for the program. Those initial feelings that I had about the program following my interview have without a doubt been proven to be true.
I have enjoyed the intimate feel that this program provides. The students in the program are genuinely concerned for the success and well being of one another. In the short time that I have been here I have developed relationships with my peers that I value and hope to carry on after my graduate school experience. Group activities, such as tailgating, holiday parties, and end of semester parties are common events that allow the students to socialize outside of the school environment, thus creating an atmosphere of cohesion and friendship.
I also value the relationships that I have developed with the faculty in the program. I truly feel that the faculty has my best interest and professional development in mind. This is evident in the many opportunities that this programs faculty provides to become involved with projects and research that they are working on. Additionally, faculty members seek out student feedback regarding various issues and policies that may have an effect upon our program. Furthermore, I have benefited from one on one mentoring relationships with faculty that have provided me with a wealth of information and opportunities to develop myself as a competent practitioner, researcher, and leader.
It was a huge undertaking to move my small family across the country to attend school away from family, friends, and the comforts of home. However, I have never regretted my decision to attend the Counseling Psychology program at The University of Southern Mississippi. This program has provided an academic balance that has been both challenging and rewarding. I know without a doubt that I am receiving some of the best training in the country that will prepare me for my future career as a mental health professional.
When I decided to return to school to complete my graduate studies, I knew that Counseling Psychology at The University of Southern Mississippi was the place for me. I was consistently impressed with the professionalism and competence of the graduates of the program that I had encountered early in my graduate training and career. My experience during my application interview only solidified my opinions of the program: as a graduate of Counseling Psychology at The University of Southern Mississippi, I could be self-assured of my competence as a new professional.
As I near the end of my time here, I am pleased with the training that I have received in the Counseling Psychology program. I’m confident that I will display competence and professionalism to those with whom I interact in my community – which, incidentally, is what convinced me to come here in the first place.
Counseling Psychology at The University of Southern Mississippi offers some rather unique required training experiences, such as doing supervision of junior colleagues and teaching undergraduate courses, in addition to elective areas of training such as specialty therapy clinics and research teams. But among all of these opportunities, I have had the autonomy to select the training experiences that I believe will be the best for my career goals. I have had the freedom to do my dissertation research on a topic in which I am truly interested, in addition to the opportunity to develop my own “side” research projects with other students. And for lagniappe, the faculty members on my committee are incredibly supportive of my research, respectful of my work style, and willing to work with me in ways that are most comfortable for me.
Even with all of these assets, though, the best part of my experiences in Counseling Psychology at The University of Southern Mississippi has been the relationships that I have formed, both personal and professional. The student body is very supportive and my cohort has rallied together so much that we’ve dubbed ourselves, “the herd.” I also know that the professional connections that I have made here will last over my lifetime.
Direct questions or comments concerning this website to
Bonnie Nicholson, Ph.D.
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modified:
May 8, 2008 12:34 PM
The University of Southern Mississippi URL: http://www.usm.edu/counselingpsy/doc/perspectives.html
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