Statement of Intent (2011)

I applied for a scholarship in 2011 for which I needed to submit a statement of intent of 250 words or less. It's like asking a caffeine addict to compose a haiku on the spot. Here's what I cam up with - it was 247 words! Oh, and I did receive the scholarship (go me).

For me, counseling is more than just a job, it’s a vocation. American Theologian Frederick Buechner wrote, “The place where God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hungers meet.” I have taken that wisdom to heart in discerning my academic and career goals. I am pursuing a master’s degree in counseling with the goal of becoming a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC); I’ll be among the first in California to enter this emerging profession.

My deep gladness is to help people learn and grow so they may become fully who they are. I have the patience, empathy, and analytic skills to excel in the field of mental health counseling. The role of helper is expressed throughout my employment history. Some of my favorite experiences have been as an educator, counselor, and childcare giver. Pursuing a career in counseling will help me develop the specialty skills and expertise to work with combat veterans in the process of reintegrating into civilian life.

The next five to ten years will see unprecedented demand in mental health care, representing one of the world’s deep hungers. The end of major combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and the Health Care Reform Act of 2010 will contribute to increased demand for qualified personnel to diagnose and treat mental health conditions. LPCCs will begin to replace Psychologists in some mental health settings because they are as capable and more cost effective. Thank you for considering me.