Following is a Q&A with one of the 763 students who received a diploma Dec. 15 at UW-Stout
Hometown: Chippewa Falls
Major: Human development and family studies
Awards, honors: Multiple Chancellor’s Awards, Cum Laude
Why did you choose UW-Stout? For two reasons. The first reason was it’s close to my hometown. The second reason was for the major, which allowed me to go in multiple directions that involved helping others as a career.
What are the biggest obstacles you faced in earning your degree? It was not being 100 percent sure about what I wanted to do as a career. I knew that I wanted to help others, and I enjoy working with adolescents. I took classes that were fairly broad and not specific to one set career path so I could get a feel for what might be best for me. After being an intern at Elk Mound High School with the guidance counselor, I knew that school counseling was the career path I wanted to be on.
What stands out among your college experiences? Many of my favorite experiences came from the connections I made at Stout Adventures. I got to meet other students who enjoy the sport of climbing, while also working there. Through this I have gained valuable experiences and connections. I also had the chance to travel to the Ozarks in Arkansas and Red River Gorge in Kentucky through Stout Adventures. I have been able to teach others about climbing and help those get over their fear of heights. Climbing was also a good way for me to relieve stress during the academic year.
What’s next? After graduation, I will be attending graduate school at UW-Stout for school counseling.
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