January 24, 2011

Alumni Spotlight: Latisha Brown, MA

Latisha Brown shares her recent journey, entering graduate school and learning to balance multiple life roles.  She shares her personal and professional growth throughout her graduate course work and internship. Unforeseen bonuses are the lifelong friendships she developed through her time at Lewis and Clark and at her internship.  An unplanned pregnancy presented some added challenges during her internship, but she received the necessary support from family and friends, from L&C, from her internship, and from her faith in God.  It is with great joy that she summarizes this year: completion of a Masters degree, a new baby boy and a new job that she loves (despite the tough economy).

A Baby Boy, A Master’s Degree and a Job (in a Bad Economy)

 

The Beginning:
Starting graduate school and my time at L&C…

 

WOW! After two years and a term later, I finally did it. As I transition from being an intern to employment as a mental health therapist, it’s hard for me to believe that I accomplished my goals despite unplanned events that I encountered along the way.

I entered graduate school with fears around whether I would successfully reach my dreams. I wondered if I was making a mistake. Today I can say with confidence that I made the right choice. I realize all this was possible because of family support, excellent coursework and interaction with classmates and faculty. I was well prepared for my internship and for a position as a professional counselor.

As I reflect back on my time at LC, graduate school has not only elicited professional growth, but personal growth as well. Coming in with a narrow way of viewing things, I now leave with an expanded perspective on life, stronger sense of self and skills that will help me interact with clients more effectively. In addition, I have developed lifelong friendship with a diverse group of individuals. Most importantly, I have found my true calling and feel very blessed that I get to share this blessing with others. This is a great field to be in and I thank God, my family, LC and my site supervisor for all their support and for believing in me.

 

The Middle:
Starting a Family as I End my Graduate Studies…

 

Pregnancy while in graduate school was definitely unplanned. I was surprised! My partner and I were ecstatic about the news. However, I was beginning my practicum at Life Works NW and we wondered if I would be able to balance school, internship and being a mommy. Would I even be able to complete my graduate program?

Our baby boy was due in August. What would we do about childcare? How would my internship supervisor react when I told her the news. She was already hinting about hiring me and I wondered if my pregnancy would cause her to change her mind. Would I be able to balance a career and take care of a newborn baby? When I took three weeks maternity leave I failed to reach the goal of 120 hours of counseling clients during my first term of internship. I feared getting behind in hours might make completion of internship impossible. However, when I returned after three weeks maternity leave I put in extra hours at my internship site, even though it was though hard to be away from my son. At times I was exhausted. Whew!

I completed my internship and my degree with God’s support, with my parents taking care of baby Aamir while I was in classes and at internship,with the help of my internship supervisor and the support of my on-campus supervisor. As I began my new role as a mommy, it meant a lot to me to receive such genuine support, not only from my family and friends, but also from my professional colleagues.

Welcome, Aamir Marquis Stanback
Born August 25th, 2010,8:40 a.m.
6 lbs 12 ounces & 19.75 inches long

 

The End:

Graduating with a Job waiting for me…

 

Graduating with a new baby boy and a new Masters degree during a time when the economy isbad was formidable. Who would have thought I would have a job waiting for me? During my internship it was apparent that I have a strong will power, that I never give up and that I continually try to find new and creative ways to communicate with clients. I always work to collaborate effectively with clients. My supervisors loved my work and they liked ideas that I brought to the table.

One day they made me a job offer that I couldn’t resist.”Yes, I accept!”,I said. I jumped and screamed on the inside, as I tried to stay calm on the outside. I became overfilled with joy.I thanked God for my blessings and for those who helped me along the way. I close the door on my graduate studies and I open the door to my career as a professional counselor.

As I begin this new journey, not knowing what paths lie ahead for me, I cherish each moment of my life. I wake up every day with a smile on my face. I am blessed to have a beautiful baby boy and to be doing a job I love. In my work as a counselor, I witness pain but I also am privileged to see people’s growth, happiness and triumph. I find each day meaningful and satisfying.

 

Latisha Brown, MA Counseling Psychology; Community Counseling