Post-graduation life is already off to a promising start for Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (SMWC) senior Aislinn Fields.
A psychology major with a digital marketing minor from Terre Haute, Fields accepted a position as a case coordinator at Hamilton Center in Terre Haute more than a month before the May 9 commencement ceremony.
She jumped into her job right after graduation. The bonus: Hamilton Center will help Fields with tuition when she begins the Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at SMWC to pursue her dream of becoming a therapist.
“I’ll be working in an outpatient setting with people of all ages in the community,” she said. “They might have addictions or serious mental health problems, and I’ll be there to help them get back on their feet by taking them to appointments, helping them develop coping skills and setting budgets.”
She expects every day to be different as she travels around to visit and connect clients to community resources.
“I’m grateful that I’ll be working with Hamilton Center because they work with a wide variety of communities,” Fields said. “I’ve always wanted to help others and let them know that things get better. Healing isn’t linear.”
An introvert at heart, Fields stepped out of her comfort zone when she came to The Woods. She became a resident assistant (RA), an orientation leader and the treasurer for Student Senate.
“I’ve been able to work with a lot of people on campus in different ways, which I feel like I might not have gotten to do at a bigger school,” she said. “I love that being here gives me a sense of purpose. Sometimes it’s ok to try new things, even if you aren’t sure. Don’t be afraid to get out there.”
Once Fields was settled at SMWC, she started making memories that will last long after commencement.
“It’s the people I’ve met here who have been my biggest blessings. A lot of my friends are from elsewhere, from London to Texas, and it’s great to meet people from different backgrounds,” she said. “I wasn’t sure about coming here at first, but I fell in love with this place when I went through the gates. I just knew it was the place I needed, and I still feel that way.”
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