Hello, my name is Sadie Brown. I am from Southern California. I first applied for this scholarship early in my college years. Since then, life-changing events have altered my perspective on mental health, my career goals, and the way I view service to others. While my interests have shifted a multitude of times, my passion for psychology and education has remained persistent. Today’s generation faces unique challenges unlike previous generations. Challenges such as a digital overload, neurodiversity and inclusion issues, post-pandemic social shifts, and economic uncertainty are present within recent years. Mental health struggles are at an all-time high. Unfortunately, several people lack access to resources, don’t know where to begin, or need help taking the first step. I chose this career path because I lost someone meaningful to suicide. That experience taught me how destructive the mind can be and how vital it is to validate someone’s feelings. In April 2025, I enlisted in the U.S. Army. During my service, I witnessed the harsh realities soldiers endure involving overwhelming schedules, inconsistent sleep schedules, and unrealistic expectations on a daily basis. Feelings of stress, isolation, and a lack of adequate mental health support were regularly experienced. Following my medical separation due to lupus nephritis, I personally struggled to find behavioral health resources in an environment that often feels degrading and isolating. Despite these challenges, I remain committed to my goals. Rather than being consumed by hardship, I see an opportunity to raise awareness about mental health struggles—both inside and outside the military. My original plan was to complete my contract as a combat medic, gain medical experience, and earn my BS in psychology. Medical separation changed that path, however opened my eyes to the need for mental health advocacy in military settings. While my hands-on experience is limited—aside from my own struggles and working with children with behavioral needs, my passion to make an impact is unwavering and genuine. The military exposed me to people from diverse backgrounds and heartbreaking stories: lives lost to chronic deployment stress, isolation after returning to civilian life, sexual harassment, and barriers to mental health care. These realities are horrifying, and they emphasize the need for change—not only for service members but for civilians as well. My goal is to become a mental health professional who advocates for accessible care and creates safe spaces for those who feel unseen. This scholarship would help me continue my education and turn my experiences into meaningful action. I am determined to transform adversity into purpose and use my voice and personal experience to make a lasting difference.

Resilience is the ability to face challenges or burdens and continue to move forward, refusing to let them define your future. This is something I have recently learned to understand. Earlier this year, I enlisted into the US Army driven with a sense of purpose and resolve. I completed basic training and partial Combat Medic training-experiences that forever instilled discipline, adaptability and mental toughness within me. Despite the months of order, discomfort, mental exhaustion and forcing my body past its limits, everything suddenly changed when I got to AIT training. My body was constantly fatigued, often collapsing spontaneously as frequent sickness overcame me. I was soon diagnosed with lupus nephritis, a chronic autoimmune condition which completely turned my plans around. As a reservist, my original plan consisted of coming home to my family before the holidays. With this diagnosis, I am to be medically separated without the opportunity to return home in time for the holidays or my new school semester in January. With a lack of emotional support and time to process this new diagnosis and complete life change, I continue to struggle daily with managing unpredictable symptoms and navigating medical appointments. I am learning to cope and adapt with the reality that my military career was ending before it truly began. I am forced to watch my fellow peers I trained with all these months graduate and move to their next duty stations as complete Combat Medics which had before broke me, but now I use it as my foundation of my resilience. Resiliency is the choice to keep moving forward when challenges and burdens reveal themselves. Even in times where uncertainty arises, moving forward and adapting is vital. Despite the physical pain and isolation, I chose to keep pushing. I shifted my focus to education and health development, researching online schools so I could continue pursuing my academic goals while managing my health. I educate myself on this condition, ensuring I am ready to prevent or manage flare ups as they happen. Living with a chronic condition has taught me that resilience isn’t about being unwavering, it’s about adaptability, acceptance and utilizing your resources. It’s about understanding your own situation and creating opportunities when doors close. My journey from traditional university to military training, to medical separation has been overwhelmingly arduous. This condition came sudden and unexpected, however, has revealed to me my capacity to adapt, maintain discipline, endure and respond. I want my story to inspire others who feel trapped (or are trapped) by uncontrollable circumstances. We are in an age of mental health awareness, ensuring proper self-care plays a significant role in approaching troublesome conditions. Resilience is not reserved for the strongest or the healthiest; it presents itself in those who choose to persist every day. I am dedicated to earning my degree, building a future revolving around mentorship and leadership supporting adolescents who choose to accept and overcome difficult circumstances they come to face.

My dad, an ex-marine, instilled in my siblings and me the importance of sustainable habits and adaptability. Growing up in a family deeply rooted in military culture—three uncles and two aunts either serving or having served—I was surrounded by stories of military jobs, training, and careers. These narratives fueled my desire to pursue a military life. After high school, I contacted a recruiter, determined to join the military. However, following my sister's cancer diagnosis, I faced mental health challenges that rendered me ineligible to enlist. From an early age, I learned to value family above all else. These values began to wane when my older sister and brother chose the path of drugs and street life. I had always looked up to them, admiring their achievements in sports, academics, and positive social circles. Their turn to drugs created a rift, slowly breaking our family apart. The most challenging hurdle I faced was accepting their choices while resolving to set a positive example for my younger siblings. Losing both my older siblings to the streets as well as my inability to enter the military motivated me to enroll in higher education. I pursued a degree to forge a path that would uplift my family and I determined to be the role model my younger siblings needed. I have viewed the principle of service through my family members growing up who have instilled in me the importance of selflessness and commitment in daily life and relationships. Even though I am considered ineligible to serve the country, I recognize that I can make a meaningful difference by serving my community through my chosen career path. I can do this through teaching, mentorship, and research. I plan to obtain a graduate education in neuroscience that will allow me to conduct research that assists the medical field in the treatment of neurological disorders. There is a vast amount of knowledge that is unknown about the brain and our nervous systems. Friends and family over the years I have known to struggle with brain or spinal injuries, sleep disorders, memory problems, and more have received a lack of diagnosis, treatment, and cures due to a lack of knowledge in the medical and science field. Being able to research and further understand the essence of neurology would be a beneficial contribution to my community in increasing the knowledge and treatment of specific neurological problems. In addition to this goal, I plan to enter education as a high school teacher to assist and form a support system for students who do not have the resources or support. In doing this, I feel that I can inspire and touch young people who may be hopeless, don’t know where to start, need extra guidance, or are looking for a mentor to help ready themselves for post-high school. I aspire to teach and conduct research that ties into both my passions: mentorship and research. The picture I submitted is of my family at dinner this past year. It has taken years for my family to smile together like that and is a picture that I stand proud of because each one of my family members has come a long way. My views have changed from enrolling myself in higher education for my family to staying in college to pursue my passions that will inspire not only my younger siblings but also have a significant impact on my community.

I recall walking through Barnes and Noble, skimming through various books I found captivating at the time when I heard sirens and paramedics bust through the door. Out of curiosity I peel my attention from the pages of my books and follow the people with a stretcher. Upon walking up to a small crowd, I am alarmed when I realize my older sister, Kayla, is unconscious on the floor. It all happened so fast. At the moment when I was dawdling in my interest in books, I had no idea that my sister’s and my family’s life was soon about to take a sharp turn. Kayla was diagnosed with Leukemia shortly after the incident. I remember the day of her diagnosis when I first heard the news. I had received a phone call from my mother, her voice quivering ‘Sadie, we will be in the hospital overnight, the doctors say Kayla has leukemia’. I was just beginning my first year of high school and Kayla was going into Junior year, there was no way this information was true. I was finally excited that we were going to school together, yet soon her schooling took place as she was strapped to a hospital bed. The oldest sister out of five (Kayla) became pale and fragile as months of her treatment left her appearing lifeless. I grew a hatred for hospitals because every time I visited her, she was in more and more pain-even though I was told it was to make her better. Her dreams of going to college, receiving volleyball scholarships, and playing pro all crumbled as treatment progressed. I saw the liveliness of my sister die out over a couple of years. My parents were always at the hospital, I became the oldest sister needing to look out after the three younger ones. I took on the responsibility not knowing how and drove myself into a state of depression and despair, right alongside my family who could only hope to see my sister healthy again. In about 2 years, my sister was in remission. Thankfully. However, my sister wasn’t the same anymore and as a family we had additional problems to deal with. My sister has gone without treatment for going on 4 years, and she has dealt with several problems transitioning into normal life. I can only be happy that I still have my older sister. From my experience, I watched my parents do everything and anything they possibly could to help aid the physical and emotional health of my older sister, while at the same time juggling 4 other children and managing a business. I was 14 at the time and did not understand the devotion and compassion my parents had. This experience was a learning lesson for my whole family, one even my younger siblings can take in. A lesson that there are peaks and valleys in life that are inevitable and arduous. There are also people in your life who will remain unconditionally and those who will not. There are times when the only people you can rely on are your family or self. There are times when hope and a better tomorrow seems nonexistent but the best thing you can do is maintain hope and push forward. I have learned anxiety, I have learned depression, hopelessness, despair, caution, dread, and ineffable fear. I have learned the harshness of illness but most of all, I have learned the beauty of life.

I have chosen to enter the field of psychology, while studying and working in different branches of the field. This field exposes people to a variety of rewarding experiences that directly help people with a multitude of personal and community problems. Behavior psychology is primarily the branch of psychology I see myself forming a career out of. Behavior issues are seen across many diverse cultures, ages, and because of several disorders and choose to form my educational and work path to work in behavior. My mom originally introduced this side of psychology to me when I began volunteering in her classroom. While working with kids of all ages, I was exposed to many behavioral issues and methods used to change certain problematic behaviors. Seeing the type of work my mom assisted with, the team building of her coworkers and the changing behavior of student’s overtime inspired me to try out similar work. I began work as a behavior technician providing ABA therapy services to children with social, emotional, and behavioral challenges. This job in behavioral analysis has exposed me to developmental, neurological, and mental health issues that over time I have grown determined to learn and assist with. I have learned the multitude of challenges children may go through with the assistance of behavioral therapy. Even in an entry level position, I am satisfied with the work I do. I feel supported and happy alongside my colleagues while producing a behavioral and treatment plan for our clients as a team. This aspect of my work has become the baseline for my passion in behavioral psychology. I aspire to move up my position while continuing my education and working in my current company for greater career advancements. Patience and being able to express a playful but serious side of yourself when working with children in front of parents. There is a need to converse about current and future treatment plans for their child while maintaining a professional yet personal profile for work. Nothing excites me more than to acquire more knowledge in this field as a growing asset to my company, I look to my coworkers with greater knowledge to expand on my own personal learning and feed from the rewarding feelings received when helping others. These aspects are my growing passions and continue to be the reasons why I chose and remain on this path. The learners I have had the opportunity to meet and provide services to are truly exceptional. There are more people needed to provide care for those who may struggle on any social, emotional, or behavioral level. I aspire to provide this form of care for those who may face challenges in these areas and are deeply misunderstood in their families or other social relationships.

One of my greatest joys is delving into psychological non-fiction books. Reading psychological information fascinates me with new perspectives and empathy and is part of the reason I want to pursue psych/neurology for my doctors’ program. I am fascinated by learning about people, their interests, behaviors, and expressions. I want to perform research, work with, and meet a multitude of individuals and try to understand them. I am interested in learning about people who carry hatred and unforgiveness inside their hearts. I want to learn of people who are the complete opposite as well. I want to learn the thought processes of people who deem themselves genuinely happy, and those who do not know the meaning of this. I am interested in working with people with disabilities and their view of the world. I want to meet these people and work in the field of psychology to gain a greater understanding of human behavior so that I can perform research and studies which contribute to the field and awareness of personality, mental health, social issues, trauma, and self-healing. I also love the creativity of science fiction which allows me to compare today's scientific understandings to utopian societies depicted in the books I read. The imaginative tales I read about science fiction have challenged me to dream of the highest potential in human scientific advancements and innovation. I geek out from psychological sciences but reading of technical advances, military, aliens, scientific zoos, and other science fiction makes me enthusiastic and a complete book nerd! While literary interests fuel my mind, I also find interest in physical activities as well. Exercise, specifically cardio and weightlifting, has become a habitual practice in my life, providing not only physical benefits but also a sense of mental reassurance. The mental discipline gained from persistence in these activities has taught me the value of perseverance and pushing beyond self-imposed limits. Lastly, I have had an exploding passion for several forms of artistic expressions since I was a little kid. Whether it is jewelry making, the vibrancy of painting or precision of nail art and sketching, these creative outlets have allowed me to tap into my imagination while bringing peace of mind.

I admire Zendaya's acting career the most. Her role in the Disney Channel series K.C. Undercover is my favorite and most viewed! Her performance on that show reminds me of her earlier work in another Disney series called Shake it Up! which brings me a sense of nostalgia. As a young Black woman myself, aspiring to create a change for the youth, its truly inspiring to see her excel in various aspects of the entertainment industry. Zendaya's acting skills have evolved over the years, allowing her to take on more complex roles as we have seen in the Marvels Spiderman and the Dune series. We see her take on comedic roles to more serious, dramatic, or even light-hearted roles. Beyond what her characters portray on screen, her social media presence and interviews express her active advocation in important causes such as body positivity and racial equality. I find it admirable how she can use these platforms and her popular fanbase to inspire and empower young people. As a young black woman in the entertainment industry, I admire and commend her for advocating for females and people of color who may not have a voice. Her role in fashion and modeling have also made her a media icon, proving her multifaceted abilities. With each role she plays in tv series, movies, modeling, music, and activism, she never disappoints to show up and SHOW OUT!!

I recall walking through Barnes and Noble, skimming through various books I found captivating at the time when I heard sirens and paramedics bust through the door. Out of curiosity I peel my attention from the pages of my books and follow the people with a stretcher. Upon walking up to a small crowd, I am alarmed when I realize my older sister, Kayla, is unconscious on the floor. It all happened so fast. At the moment when I was dawdling in my interest in books, I had no idea that my sister’s and my family’s life was soon about to take a sharp turn. Kayla was diagnosed with Leukemia shortly after the incident. I remember the day of her diagnosis when I first heard the news. I had received a phone call from my mother, her voice quivering ‘Sadie, we will be in the hospital overnight, the doctors say Kayla has leukemia’. I was just beginning my first year of high school and Kayla was going into Junior year, there was no way this information was true. I was finally excited that we were going to school together, yet soon her schooling took place as she was strapped to a hospital bed. The oldest sister out of five (Kayla) became pale and fragile as months of her treatment left her appearing lifeless. I grew a hatred for hospitals because every time I visited her, she was in more and more pain-even though I was told it was to make her better. Her dreams of going to college, receiving volleyball scholarships, and playing pro all crumbled as treatment progressed. I saw the liveliness of my sister die out over a couple of years. My parents were always at the hospital, I became the oldest sister needing to look out after the three younger ones. I took on the responsibility not knowing how and drove myself into a state of depression and despair, right alongside my family who could only hope to see my sister healthy again. In about 2 years, my sister was in remission. Thankfully. However, my sister wasn’t the same anymore and as a family we had additional problems to deal with. My sister has gone without treatment for going on 4 years, and she has dealt with several problems transitioning into normal life. I can only be happy that I still have my older sister. From my experience, I watched my parents do everything and anything they possibly could to help aid the physical and emotional health of my older sister, while at the same time juggling 4 other children and managing a business. I was 14 at the time and did not understand the devotion and compassion my parents had. This experience was a learning lesson for my whole family, one even my younger siblings can take in. A lesson that there are peaks and valleys in life that are inevitable and arduous. There are also people in your life who will remain unconditionally and those who will not. There are times when the only people you can rely on are your family or self. There are times when hope and a better tomorrow seems nonexistent but the best thing you can do is maintain hope and push forward. I have learned anxiety, I have learned depression, hopelessness, despair, caution, dread, and ineffable fear. I have learned the harshness of illness but most of all, I have learned the beauty of life.

Ensuring safe playgrounds and proper supervision is important in protecting a child’s wellbeing and preventing injury. Schools, childcare facilities, and local authorities have the responsibility to ensure the safety of children legally and ethically. In not doing so, failure to ensure the safety of children on provided playgrounds could lead to lawsuits, liability issues and of course injury. Another reason why safe playgrounds are important is for child development. The playground can provide opportunities for social, physical, and cognitive development. Not only do unsafe playgrounds inhibit these opportunities, but also children’s mental well-being. Unsafe playgrounds or unsafe playground experiences may lead to fear, anxiety, and reluctance to engage in playful activities among the playground or with friends which can negatively affect their well-being, confidence, and social development. Having safe playgrounds and proper supervision can establish a sense of trust developed within the community. Parents and caregivers are more likely to allow their children on the playground with the reassurance that there are proper safety measures and trusted supervisors on duty. Ensuring that you have the proper supervision as a teacher goes a long way and is not a simple task, especially when supervising a large group of children. Most individuals are not skilled with supervising the safety of a large group of children and professional development workshops are necessary in building this skill. As an educator and supervisor on the playground I would actively seek out and participate in workshops related to the safety and supervising of children on the playground. Workshop topics would include mitigating potential hazards, age-appropriate playground material, supervision strategies, and emergency response procedures. Not only is seeking out outside resources helpful, but mentorship and collaboration with experienced colleagues is considerable as well. Having a second opinion or someone to offer helpful tips and knowledge can be valuable in my development as a teacher. Lastly, I’d like to mention that relevant certification pertaining to playground supervision is highly important. This is because without doing so, there may be cases where you are not eligible to participate in supervision opportunity. Qualifying certifications may include CPR/ FA training, identifying potential hazards, and managing student behavior on the playground. I believe it is important to always have active CPR/FA training when working with kids, however additional training to help learn how to prevent safety concerns on the playground would never hurt to receive. This type of training is likely to reassure the parents as well and would contribute to building community trust. As a teacher you and other school staff are tasked with supervising multiple kids on the playground simultaneously. This can be overwhelming and scary when you have not received the proper training or haven’t gained enough experience. There are many considerations when it comes to safety on the playground that must be considered in preventing injury or death. By taking the proactive steps listed above, as a teacher I would ensure that I receive comprehensible training in playground safety and supervision, enabling me to create a safe and enjoyable environment for children during playtime while minimizing the risk of injury along with my colleagues.

The first time I saw a dead body I did not understand the concept of death. Pale skin and expressionless looked more peaceful than anything. My grandfather passed away from a cocaine addiction when I was a child. Years later, I cannot explain the feelings of happiness I felt for my grandfather when he passed. I came to realize that I perceived death as a form of release for him, no longer bound to drugs, reality, obligations while personal meaning of life came to a halt and turned to personal history. I don’t remember much of my grandfather today. My memory of him consists of snippets of thrifty ice cream while visiting his rehab center. I had to be around the age of probably 8 or 10 when he died. He was a coke addict, but I didn’t know that at the time of course. But even if I did, that wouldn’t have changed my perception of him. I know that deep within the drug addiction, he was still a charming, sensitive, and loving soul just like my mom. Now older, I finally realize the pain my mother went through watching drugs strip away her father's life. I know this pain intimately now, as substance abuse has taken over the lives of my two older siblings. The ups and downs of substance abuse impact not just the user, but their entire family and community. I want to end this cycle in my own family and create a positive role model for my three younger sisters. This determination to break the generational curse of addiction has been the driving force behind my educational journey into psychology, neuroscience, and education. My goal is to attain a PhD and branch into cognitive and behavioral psychology research and teaching. The African American community, women, and other underserved areas face a definitive need for accessible education and psychological care that can facilitate real change. Through education, I plan to develop and implement culturally relevant programs that raise awareness about the unique risk factors, stigma, and barriers this population faces regarding substance abuse and access to treatment. In psychology, I aim to design interventions focused on building self-esteem, resilience, and empowerment - equipping these women with the tools to overcome challenges and achieve long-term recovery. Too many individuals do not receive adequate mental health support, are misdiagnosed, or do not seek help. If I can educate myself to genuinely assist those in need of psychological care, my work will be truly fulfilling. By educating others to positively contribute to society, I believe I can change lives, even if through small impacts. My passion is to provide and implement the necessary resources and services to increase the care, coordination, and communication, ultimately changing the outcomes for African American women impacted by substance abuse.

Losing a job during times of covid was definitely challenging. But after being laid off from my job as a behavior technician, I decided to take this difficulty and turn it into an opportunity. Rather than dwell on the negative, I decided to assess my skills and interests. I saw a chance to utilize my experience of working with kids with special needs and apply myself by offering babysitting services. I did not need any extra money to start up a business or buy extra materials. I used social media to promote my babysitting and experience with special ed, and my car to meet up with families and apply myself. Times of COVID it was hard finding families who were trusting however overtime I was able to build my clientele. Plus, there are families who took consideration for me because of my experience with special needs, applied behavior analysis and CPR certification. These are the small assets that made me a potential candidate and trusting sitter for their child. Caregiving and childcare will always be necessary, which is how I am continuing the services of babysitting after a few years. Money from this scholarship will contribute to my journey in education while I continue to apply myself in behavioral psychology and help families in need of care through sitting services. I have a growing passion to help individuals in need of behavioral and mental health as well as childcare. This is why I want to pursue a career in psychology and help children and adolescents with behavioral issues or teach these individuals how to cope with challenging times. In senior year of high school, I worked at the UPS store and have been exposed to the functions of the postage system. I take that understanding, practicing, or even appreciating postage stamps and the postal services is incredibly important. Our society of consumption has largely developed using the postal service. In knowing this, there are so many modern ways to get involved with philately or even gain the interest in doing so. For example, if one were to be a history buff or have an interest in culture and history then this hobby would be right up that person’s alley. Next, I will always be an advocate for mental health and choosing positive outlets for oneself is highly important. This can serve as a hobby which is relaxing, stress relieving, and helps with organization which also makes it satisfying in a way. The last thing I would like to mention is that over time stamps may increase in value depending on how old or rare they are. Just like coins, cards, or other collectables this can serve as a motivating factor to trade for money or let your collectables increase with valuable. Young people love making money and this can serve as a side gig.

Because mental health awareness has been at its peak these last few years, I have grown to understand how my mental state impacts every aspect of my daily life. Specifically, my mental health has a direct effect on my academic performance and personal life during school sessions. The challenges of being a full-time student come with work-life balance as well as the overwhelming transition into adulthood. These pressures are especially important to prioritize and stay on top of because once you are behind, it is extremely difficult to catch up! Whether that is schoolwork or life responsibilities, having to play catch up is completely too overwhelming and is best to prevent rather than try to overcome. Not to mention, playing catch up brings more stress when several deadlines overpower your schedule and mental health. Understanding my mental state during the school semester helps me in tending to mental needs and self-care. Tending to self-care and keeping a well-balanced schedule is what I need to maintain a positive mental state throughout the school semester. This is all trial and error, however adjusting to a new semester schedule is never easy but doable. I understand that adjusting your own schedule is key in making your mental health a priority, limiting stress, and being available for your needs. I have learned that setting aside or scheduling a specific time to complete self-care and maintenance tasks is most dependable for completing tasks. In other words, when setting a designated time (usually routine) and holding yourself accountable, it is easier to make time to complete those tasks. As an example, all business-related texts and phone calls received after 5pm are silenced and responded to the next day. In doing so, I have reassurance that I can spend my evenings solely for personal care which includes grocery shopping, making dinner, hygiene, meditation, and anything else I want. Another example of setting time for specific activities would be maintenance care! I make sure to take all Sundays off work and dedicate that to rest, catching up on any schoolwork, shopping, laundry, cleaning my area or car. Throughout the week I don’t have to worry about these simple chores because I have designated a specific time for them. Therefore, my stress about chores and simple responsibilities remains minimal throughout my school and work week. Other steps and tools I use to make my mental health a priority is by using planners, lists, timers and apps as reminders and ways to hold myself accountable. Without a structure in my schedule, I become more stressed and more vulnerable to missing deadlines for school. My school stress fluctuates between my personal stress, and as a result becomes arduous to balance both. My mental health dictates my mood and how much energy I exert to my daily tasks whether that is schoolwork or personal tasks. If my mental health is prioritized and balanced, my schedule and energy levels will follow, however if my mental health is on the decline, it is most difficult to maintain this balance. Therefore, self-care and a well-balanced schedule are the most reliable ways to make my mental health a priority.

I have chosen to enter the field of psychology, while studying and working in different branches of the field. This field exposes people to a variety of rewarding experiences that directly help people with a multitude of personal and community problems. Behavior psychology is primarily the branch of psychology I see myself forming a career out of. Behavior issues are seen across many diverse cultures, ages, and because of several disorders and choose to form my educational and work path to work in behavior. My mom originally introduced this side of psychology to me when I began volunteering in her classroom. While working with kids of all ages, I was exposed to many behavioral issues and methods used to change certain problematic behaviors. Seeing the type of work my mom assisted with, the team building of her coworkers and the changing behavior of student’s overtime inspired me to try out similar work. I began work as a behavior technician providing ABA therapy services to children with social, emotional, and behavioral challenges. This job in behavioral analysis has exposed me to developmental, neurological, and mental health issues that over time I have grown determined to learn and assist with. I have learned the multitude of challenges children may go through with the assistance of behavioral therapy. Even in an entry level position, I am satisfied with the work I do. I feel supported and happy alongside my colleagues while producing a behavioral and treatment plan for our clients as a team. This aspect of my work has become the baseline for my passion in behavioral psychology. I aspire to move up my position while continuing my education and working in my current company for greater career advancements. Patience and being able to express a playful but serious side of yourself when working with children in front of parents. There is a need to converse about current and future treatment plans for their child while maintaining a professional yet personal profile for work. Nothing excites me more than to acquire more knowledge in this field as a growing asset to my company, I look to my coworkers with greater knowledge to expand on my own personal learning and feed from the rewarding feelings received when helping others. These aspects are my growing passions and continue to be the reasons why I chose and remain on this path. The learners I have had the opportunity to meet and provide services to are truly exceptional. There are more people needed to provide care for those who may struggle on any social, emotional, or behavioral level. I aspire to provide this form of care for those who may face challenges in these areas and are deeply misunderstood in their families or other social relationships.

Every day I am motivated by my end goal of a career in behavioral psychology and earning an education is my focus in achieving this. I am an undergraduate student who has just completed an associate degree for transfer and have begun my journey of applying to California colleges for fall 2024. I have been working as a behavior technician going on 2 years now and have found my passion in this field. Working in the field of behavior I assist with providing Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy services to kids. Through the couple of years I have worked in aba I have found that providing these services has been rewarding for me. In addition, I have had exposure to a multitude of families who struggle to find or maintain services for children in need of some form of behavioral therapy. I have also observed disconnect and unsatisfactory treatment for children in school services. Nevertheless, there are many underserved areas in California which may include the city or a certain public service that may lack adequate resources. This means there are several opportunities to positively impact these areas. A way I plan to utilize my education and contribute to this is by advancing in my career in behavior analysis. To do this, I must introduce myself into clinical and educational settings to provide care, gain experience in working with children, adolescents and adults and learn to implement several forms of training to learners. These are the first steps in doing so, most importantly it is essential to have awareness of the expansive treatment Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) has to offer. Participating in community outreach and other educational awareness programs will help in making these services known for community members. There are many opportunities in the educational setting and public health that I may advocate for such as training programs, increased funding, and working to address systematic barriers of aba services by policy makers. As a practitioner in the field, I want to excel in my position as a clinician and behavior analyst over the years of obtaining my education and certifications. I am open to collaborating with community members, organizations, and healthcare providers to establish connections and challenges of the communities. In doing this, it is easier to understand the specific needs of the population better. Other ways I can use my education to help underserved areas is by offering caregiver training that will directly help the caregiver attend to the needs of the learner. This can help the caregiver tend to problem behaviors and interact in new ways with their child that will support the learner’s treatment. Providing ABA services or any form of psychological related services involves addressing challenges in the specific area such as limited resources, access barriers, availability, awareness, and demand in all forms of settings. By implementing aba in a combination with strategies to combat the challenges in deserved areas, psychological providers can work toward making behavioral services more effective and prevalent in underserved areas.

Even though promoting forms of mental health care is common in society, obstacles remain present in taking advantage of care. One obstacle is money and insurance limitations. Too many people do not receive mental health help, go undiagnosed/misdiagnosed or do not reach out for help. It is important to provide affordable care for a multitude of services that can assist everyone in many areas. Care options that discourage the profitability of medication and encourage talk therapy, group therapy, art therapy, music therapy, behavioral therapy, play therapy, online therapy and much more could serve as an emphasis for a facility or clinic. Starting this up as a nonprofit organization, assisting with federal or state grants or developing relations with educational institutions, and small and larger businesses for the promotion of a mental health establishment could serve as a foundation. For individuals who are not covered by insurance, payment plans, volunteer or employment services can be substituted under specific requirements or contracts. The goal is to provide affordable and accessible care so offering convenient services is ideal. In addition, the goal of the clinic should be to establish a supportive and non-judgmental safe space for participating members. Promoting the dangers of untreated mental illness or the risks associated with mental illness is popular in society. However, providing expensive and restricted care for these individuals is more common. Instead of having an outlook of profitability for people in need, offering affordable, fair, and accessible care should be of foremost importance.

Psychology is a broad field offering so many opportunities to help people. This field offers a multitude of rewarding experiences in directly helping people with personal problems. I work as a behavior technician providing ABA therapy services to kids with autism or other behavioral problems. My work in the behavioral side of psychology has exposed me to a vulnerable side of developmental issues and mental health problems that I am determined to learn and assist with. The happiness and triumph I feel while alongside my colleagues and work team while thinking of a game plan for a treatment for a client creates the baseline for my passion in behavioral psychology. You must truly have patience, be able to express childish and playful sides of yourself while working with children in front of their parents, you need to be able to conversate about current and future for the well-being of the child, must be willing to be personal yet professional in this work. Nothing excites me more than to learn from coworkers with greater knowledge in this field and expand on my skills for personal learning and the rewarding feeling received when helping others. My job is not the only reason I want to remain in the field of psychology. Too many people do not receive mental health help, go undiagnosed/misdiagnosed or do not reach out for help. Now that I am older, I can look back at some people I have known in the past and develop a form of sympathy due to the mental hardship of mental illness and experiences that have contributed to their path. Mental illness is sometimes extremely discreet and affects everyone differently. Everyone responds differently as well. Psychology emphasizes how unpredictable humans can be. While a person dealing with symptoms of severe mental illness and can continue to function normally, is a family-oriented individual and appears to be happy may even take their life the next day or commit an ‘immoral’ crime. It may impose questions on their fellow associates that make them wonder if they really knew that person at all, or if they could have maintained that relationship differently. Taking these implications as examples is me portraying my heart for being able to learn and cultivate an understanding of individuals who are affected by mental health issues directly and indirectly. Educating myself is not a problem and is easy. The most difficult aspect of my journey toward my career and evolving education is the problem of finance. As with every college student, the struggle is real!! My education goals are ever-evolving, and I want to do what it takes to positively amplify my capabilities in my school and career goals.

Ever since graduating high school, the typical unfair circumstances of life have become more present than usual. It feels as if once you transition into an 'adult' life is a constant valley until it peaks just to drop down right into another valley and so on. Though my mental state has infused this notion into my daily life, even before becoming an adult. I have struggled with mental health issues for an exceedingly long time, and it is exhausting. Over time as I have learned about myself, my mental illness has comfortably become a part of me. Despite life's constant rearrangement of peaks and valleys, working through personal struggles has become easier as I established a support system over the years. My biggest fear through high school was leaving my house. At a certain point in life, for many years I was afraid of being put in a position I had no control over, where escape was impossible. My dad once sat me down and told me a silly metaphor about peaks and valleys. I did not understand at the time. Life was stagnant and hopeless as far as I knew. Spending all this time searching bottomless valleys, I didn't realize I was walking around so many peaks instead of climbing them. I read a sleep psychological book during my senior year and fell in love. I was hopeful to learn about dreams, neuroscience, and psychological processes. Getting my hands on similar books and making time to read was my only desire. I soon began to pick up self-help books and realized we are all going through challenges. After years and years of having no interest in college, I finally decided to pursue a college education that year of high school. A desire to observe and study human behavior and mental processes was my sole motivation. Although this is not all understood from books I am content in gathering my own life experience throughout the years. I am on the path to attaining a psychology degree and helping those experiencing hardship because of responding processors in the human mind. I am unsure what kind of psychology field I would like to remain in however I am positive I must surround myself with people who are struggling with behavioral or mental problems. I aspire to pick and understand the actuality behind what drives the motivation of behavior and emotion and assist with the immediate needs of my clients. I am currently a Behavior Technician, working with 1 client who has anger issues. I have had about 7 clients so far. Some have had trouble accepting the word no, some with mild to severe autism, and some presented dysfunctional social schemes. If I am to stay in this exact field of aba for my career, reinforcing the behavior of young children with behavioral problems would not be my only goal. In addition to reinforcing behavior, I am establishing social skills for the kids, generalizing, and applying real-life scenarios. Noticing improvement and satisfaction from the client and their families over weeks and months of sessions is most rewarding for me. By focusing on a degree in psychology I can impact families with various psychological needs all while gaining life experience. Excelling in psychology will help me mentor and guide those in serious psychological need. I aspire to act on treating the seriousness of mental disorders along with making an impression of the significance of embracing life’s peaks and valleys.