I think the news that I’ve been accepted into the Human Development doctoral program has finally sunk in. The path has been an interesting journey, and not the typical track most academics take. I feel like I’m totally green again, starting on a huge new endeavor, eager to gain new experiences. When I worked as a designer, getting a job in advertising was a sensible step that led to better wages, but also less life satisfaction. After a few years of working in New York City, I started thinking more about the things around work and home satisfaction, the political and environmental forces that shape our day-to-day existence. When I decided to leave my last job, I knew I wouldn’t be happy to get another advertising job, and I made a huge, improbable leap to apply for a PhD program at CUNY. I was not successful in this endeavor, but I got a second chance with the MALS program, and an opportunity to really see what is expected of doctoral students (hint, it was not what I thought in 2012). The courses I’ve taken in the past two years in the Psychology of Work and Family MALS track, and in the Human Development and Environmental Psychology programs have allowed me to take an interdisciplinary approach to studying psychology, one that I hope to carry with me in the years ahead.
I am thankful to so many people who have influenced my graduate work so far; Les Gribben for suggesting the MALS program, Karen Lyness and Kristen Shockley, who taught me why Work-Life issues matter so much, David Chapin for showing me the connection between mobility and (un)supportive environments, John Seley for getting me hooked on local politics and advising my thesis , Susan Saegert for giving me a better understanding of what research is and how to do it, and Colette Daiute for opening my eyes to the big picture beyond New York. I also want to thank all the wonderful students and scholars I’ve met in the developmental, environmental and critical social/personality programs, I look forward to our future development and friendships.
