Psychology Major
Accepted Graduate Student, Forensic and Law Psychology, Marymount University

"Learning to be a critical thinker is by far the most valuable skill I learned from Goucher because it translates into all facets of life."

What has been your career path since graduating from Goucher?

I graduated from Goucher College in May of 2017 with a major in Psychology. When I graduated, I decided to take a year off school and have been spending this year as a mechanic in a bicycle shop and preparing myself to go back to school. During this year I was able to study for and take the GRE's, research graduate programs, interview at different schools and save up money to go back to school. In fall 2018 I will start my graduate studies at Marymount University in Arlington, Virginia. I will be studying Forensic and Law Psychology with a concentration in Intelligence. My career goals are to work in the intelligence community as an analyst in fields such as counter terrorism, national security, and crime scene investigations.

What were your most influential and valuable experiences at Goucher?

I transferred into Goucher as a Junior, and while my time was short, the impact was huge. The psychology professors were hugely supportive of me and all the courses challenged me to think critically. Coming into Goucher, I had never been pushed to question the validity of academic articles, news, or books. But now, I know that implicit biases can affect people's perspectives and what they consider to be true. Learning to be a critical thinker is by far the most valuable skill I learned from Goucher because it translates into all facets of life.

What advice do you have for current students interested in preparing for a path similar to yours?

My advice for current Goucher students is to take full advantage of all the invaluable resources you have now. The professors and faculty are here to help you, so make sure to reach out. But most importantly, don't forget to stop and appreciate everything you have at Goucher because the time will fly way faster than you expect, so don't forget to have fun!