Undergraduate / Psychology - UC Prompt 1 for transfer students [5]

What is your intended major? Discuss how your interest in the subject developed and describe any experience you have had in the field - such as volunteer work, internships and employment, participation in student organizations and activities- and what you have gained from your involvement.

During my first semester away at college I encountered the difficult task of choosing a major. There were many possibilities but none that seemed to perfectly fit me. I started experimenting with different courses in Kinesiology, Nursing, Health and Communications because I was interested in the human body and wanted to find a major where I would be involved in helping others. During my exploration of careers I shadowed the head nurse at the UC San Diego hospital and disappointingly realized the staff members would treat the physical symptoms of their patients rather than helping the individual's personal needs. This experience made me realize that nursing wasn't going to give me the satisfaction of truly helping people.

After a long year of struggling with courses that didn't appeal to me at Cal State San Marcos, I decided to transfer to Orange Coast College where I was introduced to the study of behavioral sciences. I finally had a counselor who listened and understood my interests and suggested enrolling in a human sexuality class. I wasn't sure what to expect but I quickly realized that human sexuality wasn't only about learning to be comfortable and accepting of yourself, but that with others. My human sexuality professor was very easygoing, compassionate, open minded, and friendly which were some of the personal qualities we had in common. As I progressed through the semester I became more and more fascinated with the study of psychology especially when applied to relationship and marriage compatibility. I researched more into the career opportunities associated with a degree in Psychology and realized the wide range of possibilities I could choose from; many in which were based around helping people become more comfortable and satisfied with problems in their life. I started getting involved in the American Psychology Association by attending lectures and conferences that were inspirational, and my human sexuality professor allowed me to observe one of her group marriage counseling session. While observing my professor as she lead the group discussion on interpersonal communications and the proper way to talk to a spouse, I realized this was the career I was meant to pursue.

I was unaware until now of my psychologist abilities that I have been presenting towards my friends all my life. My friends would confront me with their relationship problems to seek guidance because they knew I was trustworthy and reliable source. I was able to provide useful insight towards dating due to many past experiences and learning from my mistakes. In college, my roommates would stress about guys who didn't return their calls and needed advice on how to get over nasty breakups and I was always there to provide an honest approach of how to go about dealing with these situations and to avoid reoccurring mishaps. I have the natural ability to produce a relaxed and nonjudgmental environment where people feel comfortable to open up to me and I don't only listen with my ears but I listen with my heart. I relate myself to their situation and provide useful tips on how to overcome these challenges and how to enhance their overall happiness with or without the relationship.

What separates me from any other individual who provides relationship advice is the ability to set aside the emotional factors associated with being there for a friend and give them honest insight that is valuable to their situation. My friends knew I wouldn't tell them things just to make them feel better or agree if I knew they were wrong, I would provide a respected perspective of how to go about dealing with their situation. My personal experiences and listening to other's helped develop my interest in becoming a relationship psychologist. Now that I have found an outlet for my ambition, I do not plan to waste it. Once I have transferred to a prestigious University I will make full use of all the opportunities available to me, filling my waking hours with classes, joining psychology clubs, getting involved in fieldwork and internships and making the most of my natural ability to make others feel comfortable with themselves and others.