Post-bac Premed Home

Tim Shea
Major: Relational Psychology and Business (self designed)

When I saw everything that Goucher had to offer, I wanted to broaden my experience and take advantage of having classes from all across the spectrum...

While attending graduate school to obtain his MS in clinical psychology, Tim Shea started a non-profit organization. Struggling With Food is an online resource for support and information about eating disorders. Currently pursuing his doctorate in clinical psychology with a focus on eating disorders, Shea hopes that he can design his career, much as he designed his major at Goucher.

"When I saw everything that Goucher had to offer, I wanted to broaden my experience and take advantage of having classes from all across the spectrum," says Shea. "This allowed me to make my own curriculum and take a wide range of classes from a wide range of disciplines."

Although Shea came to Goucher knowing that he wanted to study psychology, he decided to design his own major so that he could take advanced-level classes in multiple disciplines.While maintaining his interest in psychology, he also took classes in women's studies, sociology, literature, philosophy, and economics.

"All of those areas of study contributed to my knowledge base," says Shea. "I think they were important for my overall development."

Shea's interest in studying eating disorders grew out of his experiences in women's studies classes and psychology courses about body image. He credits his interdisciplinary approach to undergraduate study for his ability to juggle the busy schedule of a doctoral student, balancing classes, research, and a full docket of patients.

Shea also took a multi-faceted approach toward his co-curricular activities at Goucher. In addition to playing lacrosse, Shea was a Goucher Ambassador, a GOFOR Guide, a member of the Sexual Harassment Policy Review Board, and a teacher's assistant for the psychology department. And although he wasn't a music major, he was also able to practice piano in his free time.

During his junior year, Shea completed an internship at The Canton Group, a technical firm in Baltimore. After completing the internship, the company hired him for a part-time position and then signed on full-time after graduation.  Shea stayed with The Canton Group for a year and then went on to do some private consulting before signing on to work at United Health Care. After less than a year, Shea realized that he was ready to go back to school to pursue his dream of becoming a psychologist.

"I wanted a stimulating academic environment again," says Shea. "Goucher spoiled me in that I was used to being challenged. I wasn't finding that in the professional world."

Once Shea earns his doctorate, he would like to open up a private practice, as well as teach. Shea plans on continuing his work with Struggling With Food, and hopes to expand its offerings to reach communities nationwide.

"Goucher provided me with a challenging environment that stretched the boundaries of academia," says Shea. "My classes were only the beginning of my education; it was the community at Goucher that propelled me towards a great education."