My Journey to the Field of Psychology 1
My Journey to the Field of Psychology
Ondrea J. McClain
University of Baltimore
September 9, 2010
My Journey to the Field of Psychology
The topic of college in 2002 was merely a conversation I often had with my guidance counselor, parents and peers. Although it was emphasized the junior year of high school was crucial, the excitement of the “now” held my attention more than the future. There were two choices given, a full time job or college, and at 17, a full time was unheard of in my selfish teenage world. In 2003, I graduated from high school with no idea what direction I was headed, besides to Morgan State University as a graphic design major. I opted to choose college, of course, and was extremely unhappy. A few thousand dollars, 7 years later, and several life lessons learned I am now enrolled at University of Baltimore as a psychology major. I managed to land on the completely opposite end of the education spectrum, and I have never been happier with such a great life change. Attending college merely to avoid working proved to show its consequences; however, it was that choice I grew as a person, a woman, and an adult which lead to my interest in psychology.
Psychology has the ability to mold itself into practically all job fields. My encounters with psychology in the work place began with my first part time job as a server at Blakehurst, shortly after high school graduation. Although working full time was not an option I would consider, part time employment presented income with minimal time. Blakehurst is a retirement community that caters to very wealthy residents ages 60 and above. Unfortunately, quite a few individuals lost their spouses over time which caused an array of emotions to overwhelm them. It was not too rare to see a widower or widow at a corner table shedding tears as they ate alone. The site was heartbreaking, which in turn made servers like me, young psychiatrists in training. From fighting wars to honeymoons, the staff heard a variety of tales from the residents. My experience at Blakehurst was not only memorable, but life changing.
Upon graduation from University of Baltimore, I intend on attending medical school, followed by completion of my residency, and last a specialty within geriatric psychiatry. The number psychiatrist, with a focus in geriatrics, graduating from medical school is abnormally low in comparison to those who specialize in adolescent and adult study. Due to my experiences at Blakehurst, and the compassion I feel for the elderly community, I know I have found my niche in the world. I plan to have my own practice in the future, which will require many sacrifices, time, and dedication. There is a long journey ahead of me; however, in my opinion there is no greater feeling than to help another individual.
Although the class title of “Introduction to Professional Practices” does not quite match my expectations, of what I have experienced to date, I am thrilled to learn more about positions available in the field of psychology. The first class seemed somewhat overwhelming; however, after reviewing the syllabus I find that although challenging, this class will be rewarding. Learning to write using APA style can not only be frustrating, but time consuming. Through both my college and professional career, it is very apparent this form of writing is necessary to be successful. This course will contribute to that future success because of the emphasis on proper writing techniques, along with helping to decipher which path I should choose for my future career in geriatrics.
My encounters in life have been interesting, emotional, and exciting. From adolescence to maturing as an adult, I have grown in many ways, and continue to do so. As I learn more about the study of psychology, its presence has grown a great deal in my day to day experiences. In this class, I hope to gain additional knowledge of writing while exploring other avenues of professionalism. I am open to different ideas and possibly a different profession within the field of psychology. My past has prepared me for a prosperous future, and psychology continues to lead the way, ensuring all obstacles will be overturned.