Q&A with Sofia Carreon
Why did you choose to attend the University of Mississippi?
Ole Miss first intrigued me because it was clear that I would be welcomed no matter what, whether I knew exactly what career path I wanted to take, if I was in between majors, or if I had no clue what I wanted to do at all. Any of these paths would be met with open arms, and I just knew that I would be completely supported and encouraged along the way, helping me achieve any goals I had for myself.
Ole Miss first intrigued me because it was clear that I would be welcomed no matter what, whether I knew exactly what career path I wanted to take, if I was in between majors, or if I had no clue what I wanted to do at all. Any of these paths would be met with open arms, and I just knew that I would be completely supported and encouraged along the way, helping me achieve any goals I had for myself.
What would you tell a high school student about your major? What is most important for them to know if they are interested in pursuing that field of study?
Psychology had never entered my mind as a field I wanted to go into until about a few months into freshman year. To me, psychology has given me the tools to understand more about human nature, especially for those I have almost nothing in common with. If you are interested in going into psychology, I would want you to know that it is going to be a long road before you interact with people as a professional, especially if grad school is in your plan, but to me, the material I have learned so far and will continue to learn is extremely valuable and completely worth the long journey.
Psychology had never entered my mind as a field I wanted to go into until about a few months into freshman year. To me, psychology has given me the tools to understand more about human nature, especially for those I have almost nothing in common with. If you are interested in going into psychology, I would want you to know that it is going to be a long road before you interact with people as a professional, especially if grad school is in your plan, but to me, the material I have learned so far and will continue to learn is extremely valuable and completely worth the long journey.
Why is your department a special place?
The one thing that surprises me the most about the psychology department at UM is the variety of specialties that the faculty have dedicated their careers to. I am currently in a research lab with Dr. Smitherman, who specializes in the psychology of pain behavior and migraines, a specialization that I had little to no knowledge about before researching his work and working with him in his lab. This, to me, shows the breadth of knowledge and eagerness to share that knowledge that the faculty of the psychology department holds.
The one thing that surprises me the most about the psychology department at UM is the variety of specialties that the faculty have dedicated their careers to. I am currently in a research lab with Dr. Smitherman, who specializes in the psychology of pain behavior and migraines, a specialization that I had little to no knowledge about before researching his work and working with him in his lab. This, to me, shows the breadth of knowledge and eagerness to share that knowledge that the faculty of the psychology department holds.
What professor or class has had the most impact on you?
My most impactful class was actually my Intro to Psychology class, which I took freshman year. This was the class that influenced me deeply to become a psychology major, specifically because of both the material and the professor. Dr. Bednark was my professor for this course, and seeing him teach this material with such passion, care, and excitement to share this with potential psychology majors was infectious and opened my mind up to the material that we learned.
My most impactful class was actually my Intro to Psychology class, which I took freshman year. This was the class that influenced me deeply to become a psychology major, specifically because of both the material and the professor. Dr. Bednark was my professor for this course, and seeing him teach this material with such passion, care, and excitement to share this with potential psychology majors was infectious and opened my mind up to the material that we learned.
What do you hope to do after graduation? What are your career goals/plans?
After graduation, I hope to go into grad school to get my MA in Clinical Psychology, a step that will hopefully propel me to a doctorate program. During this time, I also hope to volunteer within the US prison system, since that is the population I hope to work with the most through rehabilitation programs.
After graduation, I hope to go into grad school to get my MA in Clinical Psychology, a step that will hopefully propel me to a doctorate program. During this time, I also hope to volunteer within the US prison system, since that is the population I hope to work with the most through rehabilitation programs.
What is one thing you wish you knew as an incoming freshman that you’d tell your past self (about the general college experience)?
I would have told myself to be less afraid of opportunities, events, or activities that don't necessarily apply to me or my career interests. I've been in clubs, organizations, and events (TEDx, Eco Club, etc.) that have little to no correlation to my major, but have provided me with really interesting experiences and allowed me to meet amazing people; however, I wish I had started being part of these experiences much earlier in my college life, since there are many things that seem interesting to me now but I have little to no time to be a part of.
I would have told myself to be less afraid of opportunities, events, or activities that don't necessarily apply to me or my career interests. I've been in clubs, organizations, and events (TEDx, Eco Club, etc.) that have little to no correlation to my major, but have provided me with really interesting experiences and allowed me to meet amazing people; however, I wish I had started being part of these experiences much earlier in my college life, since there are many things that seem interesting to me now but I have little to no time to be a part of.
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