Q: What are some of the thoughts you had going into the program?
I was excited about it but was also a little apprehensive because I was starting my mentorship as a senior and wasn’t sure if I’d have enough to do or if I should’ve known everything by now. I was also a little worried about distance between my mentor and I since I was in Pennsylvania and he was in Maryland, but it wasn’t an issue.
Q: How has your mentoring experience benefitted your academic/ professional life?
Dr. Culotta helped me a lot with my résumé. We worked on wording and style, and made sure it had what he looks for on a résumé as an employer. He gave me ideas about places to apply for different jobs. I was able to use his life experience to help me figure out what I want to do. I learned that it’s okay to veer off what you think will be your career path a little bit.
Q: What would you say to students about why they should participate?
I would say that having a mentor is very important because without guidance, you may think you know what you’re doing, but figuring out graduate school and the professional world is so much easier with a mentor. He helps me to not panic and work through all of the challenges that come with being a new professional.
Q: What are your career goals and plans---and how has your mentorship influenced them?
I am interested in being a community clinical psychologist. I am looking to get into a PhD program. Dr. Culotta is a neuropsychologist and has good insight into helping me apply to grad school. He is also helping me to understand the realities of what a career as a clinical community psychologist looks like.