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K-12 experience

overachiever, high expectations to succeed

Undergrad at CSU Channel Islands

moved from home, big changes and adjustments

BA in psychology, minor in Chicano studies

Graduate school at University of Redlands

k-12 and college combo track School Counseling

balancing internships, school, work, personal life

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moving away from home, helped me become independent and realize I had to do it for myself.

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balancing graduate school responsibilities, shifting focuses and trying to focus on what is most important

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During College:

I went to a predominantly white undergraduate university in Ventura county. I felt left out and out of place at times, especially because I moved away from home (a predominantly Hispanic city).

What shaped my identity:

Connecting with other Hispanic students helped shape my identity and feel more at home.

Learning more about field workers that worked minutes away from campus.

Losing my Spanish skills was heartbreaking, as I was no longer speaking Spanish like I did at home.

Supporting models:

Model of Latina and Latino ethnoracial orientations

Bernando Ferdman and Placida Gallegos (2012)

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During college, my sexual identity was unaffected. I was always raised with strict hispanic parents who were mostly conservative, but at the end of the day they were always approving of me. They would always approve of who I was and what my identity development would be. During college I was exposed to more diversity including those of different sexual identity which opened my mindset and caused me to be more open.

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My gender identity has always stayed the same. I have always been sure and comfortable with my gender identity but I hold space for individuals in my life who have an ongoing struggle with their gender identity. I will continue to stay educated and knowledgable about both sexual and gender identity development to better support the students I will serve.

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In college, disabilities did not play a role in my life. I am very fortunate and privileged to be able-bodied and do not have any disabilities. I do remember learning about my school's disability center but mostly regarding housing or testing accommodations. The students I work with now have a high rate of learning disabilities such as ADHD or impulsivity issues. I would benefit from learning more about ableism and disability to better support my students as a future counselor.

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During college, I gained a lot of my spiritual identity development. I was exposed to different theorists and ideals that made me more spiritual. I have never been religious but I do consider myself spiritual. I believe in a higher power and I believe we ourselves are higher beings put on this earth for a purpose. I believe I've lived a past life and may have more lives after this one. Points in college that made me have this realization is more time alone and independent, without my family. Without influence I was free to think abstractly and develop spirtually.

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Erikson's theory connected with me the most during college years. I transitioned so much during my years in undergrad, and even more now in my masters program. During my first year of undergrad I was lost and living on my own for the first time. I was willing to try anything and connect with anyone to find my way. During the last year, my personality was so much more developed. I was more developed socially, culturally, etc. I am so grateful for this growth because my personality shined through and I would not be the same person I am today if I had not gone through my life experiences

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cognitive structural theory- epistemological and intellectual development 

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cognitive structural theory- epistemological and intellectual development 

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I think of problems in my life so differently at different points in my life. At the earliest part of college, I thought my issues were so big. Even the tiniest things would trigger me to stress and seek help. Midcollege, I became more accepting and flexible to unexpected issues. At the end of my college, I felt empowered the encounter problems and even wanted to learn from and educate others of potential issues.

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I am currently at post-conventional morality (Kohlberg) and I believe I was also at this stage my last year of college. This stage represents me currently because I value my own core ethics and am less influenced by external factors. At the beginning of college I was more selfish and put myself first, putting me at Kohlberg's pre-conventional morality stage.