Zoe “Zee” Nace
3rd Year | PsyD Program | Child Emphasis
Email | zen@pacificu.edu
Undergraduate Institution | Linfield University
Hometown | Fairbanks, AK
Why I chose Pacific | Not only did Pacific offer unique specialization opportunities via emphases and a comprehensive curriculum, but it was clear that they valued students as people. Throughout the interview process and the staff & faculty interactions I had, I felt they saw me as an individual worthy of knowing, regardless of whether or not I would be offered admittance. The collaborative spirit Pacific encourages has since made me even more grateful I'm able to attend.
Favorite thing about the program | Class field trips during breaks to loot candy from the SGP office. If the basket is empty, there are lollipops downstairs.
Favorite PsyD course | Dr. Michael made Research Design thoroughly enjoyable, even for those intimidated by the relevant statistics (me). If you get the opportunity to take Child Psychopathy and Interviewing with adjunct professor Dr. Joel Lampert, do it.
Tips for getting observation hours/exposure to psychology | If you're struggling to find psychology research or employment options, I'd recommend looking into volunteer roles available near you. There are often positions open for a variety of education levels at nonprofits, crisis lines, community mental health centers, etc. If all else fails and you have the resources available, you may also be able to participate in relevant training or lectures.
What are some tips when applying and/or deciding where to apply? In the stress of seeking grad school acceptance, it's natural to try to adapt yourself into the ideal candidate for any school you apply to. In my experience, it's essential to find a school willing to adapt to you, too. If you're the only one working to make an academic relationship successful, you'll burn out twice as fast.
What are tips or advice for how to handle graduate school? Time management, self-care, and other routine advice points are incredibly important. However, for me, making time to enjoy time with my cohort and community has been the most essential practice. When you genuinely adore the people you see every day, class can feel less like an obligation and more like an opportunity. So, this is an excuse to procrastinate a little bit and hang out with a group instead.
Career goal | Generally, I'm aiming to work in clinics with children and adolescents. I'm still exploring the specifics of what my career future might look like (a very okay thing to do, even in a doctorate program. I might even recommend it).
Ilisa Norman
4th Year | PsyD Program | Child Emphasis
Email | inorman@pacificu.edu
Undergraduate Institution | The University of Texas at Austin
Hometown | Dallas, TX
Why I chose Pacific | My career aspirations lined up perfectly with the training Pacific offers. I am studying to work with children in middle childhood with externalizing disorders like Oppositional Defiant Disorder and Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder. Additionally, I aim to perform forensic assessments, and Pacific has several forensic practicum placement opportunities. Dr. Catherine Miller's insight, experience, and research drew me to this program and ultimately persuaded me to accept my offer. Dr. Miller is incredibly well-spoken and well-written in areas I want to gain expertise in. I am thrilled to learn from her and other knowledgeable faculty at Pacific.
Favorite Thing About the Program | The people! I have found so many wonderful people I love and trust, both in my peers and professors.
Favorite PsyD course | Child Psychopathology & Interviewing: I loved jumping right into learning how to work with children clinically. Dr. Alyshia MacNab did an excellent job pushing us to ask questions to fuel our learning and deep understanding of the topics by struggling to find the answer. Her explanations of psychopathology and interviewing strategies gave me a solid foundation in my clinical and diagnostic skills.
Tips for getting observation hours/exposure to psychology | As anxiety-inducing as cold calls/emails are, reaching out to psychologists in your area is a great way to get more exposure to psychology. Many professionals are happy to let you shadow them and share their knowledge. Additionally, many employment opportunities related to psychology often give you more tangible knowledge you can't get in the classroom. Look into residential and inpatient treatment centers for more field exposure without a degree.
Career Goal | I plan to do therapy and intervention with middle schoolers with externalizing disorders and provide child custody evaluations for the court.
Hobbies | I enjoy trivia, reading, hiking, and exploring the Pacific Northwest with my friends in my free time! My classmates and I go to trivia together and try new coffee shops every week. Portland is also a fantastic food city, which is excellent for people who like trying various cuisines. Portland is a great spot for people like me who enjoy the outdoors. On nice weekends, I take advantage of how close the coast and mountains are, often traveling an hour or two away from Portland to explore the gorgeous nature of the Pacific Northwest. There are also plenty of excellent hiking spots around Portland, especially along the Columbia River Gorge (with tons of waterfalls). I like to wind down at night with various literary fiction books and am constantly seeking new recommendations!
Sydney Wasserman
3rd Year | Child Emphasis | Washington, DC
Email | syd.wass@pacificu.edu
Undergraduate Institution | Washington University in St. Louis
Why I chose Pacific | I've always known that I wanted to work with teens and younger children and Pacific was one of the only schools that offered a child-focused course of study and also allowed students to work with child clients by the second year of the program.
Favorite thing about the program | My cohort has easily been my favorite part about the program so far. Even though we are at very different stages in our lives, we have gotten really close as a class which makes class time and collaboration very enjoyable!
Favorite PsyD course | Child Psychopathology!
Tips for getting observation hours/exposure to psychology (before applying) | I worked as a behavioral technician at an ABA clinic prior to applying to Pacific and would recommend it to anyone looking to gain more clinical experience and exposure to working with families from diverse populations without needing a graduate degree. The job was so rewarding and I felt like it prepared me for my practicum!
Career Aspirations | I want to assess young children for learning and neurodevelopmental disorders to help them access the services and accommodations they need to thrive in school and in life :)
Hobbies | Yoga, crafting, cooking, & puzzles.