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I graduated from Taylor in 2010 with a BA in Psychology and a Spanish minor. When I started as a freshman, I chose Psychology because I wanted to become a therapist. However, as I learned more about research, I realized it aligned better with my skills and interests. I talked to my advisor about this, and he asked if I wanted to join his research team in the Psychology Department. I joined the team as a sophomore and continued doing research for the rest of my time at Taylor. Through that research team, I also gained experience in program evaluation and consulting for other departments at Taylor and for several external organizations. The summer before my senior year, I interned at a social services non-profit in Ohio, and later, I worked with my Taylor research team to evaluate their program. Those formative experiences led me to pursue a career in research and evaluation. Right after graduating, I struggled to find a job in research, so I worked in mental health services for a year. Eventually, I was hired as a data manager for a non-profit organization, where I continued to develop my evaluation skills. A couple of years later, I went back to school and received an MA degree in Evaluation Studies from the University of Minnesota. During grad school, I conducted research on racial inequities in pediatric emergency department care, including publishing journal articles and presenting my research at conferences. After grad school, I started working as a program evaluator at an evaluation consulting firm in Minneapolis, and I have been at that company for the past eight years. Today, I am a Senior Evaluator, working with state health departments and other organizations to evaluate statewide and local public health programs. I measure program impact, report findings, and make recommendations to program staff and funders in topic areas such as tobacco control, substance use, and chronic disease. I am passionate about this work and find it very fulfilling. I am thankful for my time at Taylor which introduced me to program evaluation and ultimately led to the career I have today.
In addition to my research and classes, one highlight was the Footsteps of Paul J-term trip to Greece and Italy. I valued the chance to travel internationally, gain new cultural experiences, and deepen my understanding of the early church. It was also a great opportunity to meet new people at Taylor outside of my dorm and classes. In my junior year, I joined a campus program called Women’s Cabinet, which planned events and programming for female students. I didn’t know anyone in the group when it started, and I was outside of my comfort zone initially. Being part of that group was a valuable growth experience. I learned a lot about working with a new team of people towards a common goal and planning and coordinating events. Those skills translated well to life after college, and I’m thankful for that experience.
My experience with the research team was invaluable for my personal and professional growth. Along with developing practical skills that I use today, I gained confidence and leadership experience working on the research team, presenting at Taylor research conferences, and working as a Teaching Assistant for the Psychology Statistics class. In addition, the Social Psychology and Health Psychology classes were particularly memorable. Those classes opened my eyes to the world of research and broadened my perspective on a variety of issues. They helped me to better understand human behavior and to approach people with humility and empathy.
I recommend getting an internship during college, even if it is not required for your major. Having that experience on your resume makes an impact once you graduate and are applying to jobs. Get creative with this. If you can’t find an existing internship that fits your needs, reach out to a company you are interested in and offer to intern as a volunteer. Those experiences and professional connections will be very helpful in the future.
