We interviewed counseling and student personnel psychology (CSPP) MA student Christina Solinger about her research interests and her experiences in the program.
What are your research interests?
I am interested in exploring innovative ways to build relationships between schools and underrepresented families through school counseling. The importance of family engagement in student academic success is proven, and school counselors are uniquely positioned to build positive connections that will last from elementary school through high school graduation.
How did your path lead to the Department of Educational Psychology and your particular major?
After spending time in schools in previous professional positions, I realized I wanted to have the expertise, and credentials, in the field myself to make a difference in the lives of students and their families.
What surprised you along the way?
Each student in our cohort has special interests within the counseling profession, which creates a unique learning environment to explore undiscovered perspectives.
What is something you’ve most enjoyed about your experience?
While it creates a packed schedule, completing our internships parallel to classwork creates a rich opportunity that allows for immediate implementation and exploration of our skills. This is very valuable!
What is most exciting about your work?
Seeing students build strategies to be successful in schools and empowering them to generate these ideas themselves is so awesome to see!
How would you describe the student experience and what does that mean to you?
The student experience in graduate school has given me a very special opportunity to pause my professional momentum and dig into learning. I don’t take these educational spaces for granted!
What has been most challenging?
Balancing graduate school with outside jobs and free time has been a challenge. But, you can do anything for two years!
How have your professors helped you along the way?
Our professors, as currently practicing counselors in the field, are able to provide direct examples and relevant real-life experiences to enhance everything we read in a textbook.
What would you like prospective students to know?
The CSPP program offers you a diverse course curriculum, which will give you freedom in your future profession. You are not limiting yourself to one profession or one licensure with this program, which many of my classmates value greatly.
How has your cohort helped you along the way?
Each student in our cohort has special interests within the counseling profession, which creates a unique learning environment to explore undiscovered perspectives.
What are you looking forward to with graduation?
I’m looking forward to stepping into additional responsibilities not offered to graduate students as interns. To be able to drive our own counseling program (and decorate our own offices!) is something I cannot wait to tackle! I am also very confident in my cohort and professors’ continued support beyond graduation, which alleviates a lot of my anxieties about being a first-year school counselor.
How do you plan to use what you are learning/your degree?
I am hoping to find an Elementary or Middle School School Counseling position in the Twin Cities!
