I am currently a second-year genetic counseling graduate student at the Ohio State University College of Medicine. My specialty interests are in adult cancer, cardio, and hematologic genetics. While I would prefer to work on the East Coast (specifically New York) or the Midwest, I am flexible regarding work location.I first became interested in genetics when I read The Selfish Gene by Richard Dawkins in my senior year of high school. Due to that inspiration, I attended Stony Brook University, studying biochemistry (as genetics classes were mandatory for the degree). During my undergraduate years, I worked as a commuter assistant for the Office of Commuter Student Services, a department of the university dedicated to assisting commuting freshman students as they transitioned from high school to university life. Through my experience as a commuter assistant, and later a biology lab teaching assistant, I discovered a passion for helping others feel informed and empowered to thrive independently. In my final year of my undergraduate education, I discovered the field of genetic counseling, which was the perfect marriage of my passion to help others and my interests in genetics.During my gap years between my graduate and undergraduate educations, I worked as a Teaching Aide at the Saul & Elaine Seiff Educare Center, part of AHRC Suffolk. The Educare Center is a school for students with developmental disabilities. There I refined my teaching prowess, and also built primary and advanced empathy skills. My work experience at the Educare Center taught me the importance of treating each client you meet as a unique individual, discovering what their personal strengths and weaknesses are, and how to develop an individualized plan to address their needs and concerns.Now, as I finish my graduate education, I am excited to take my school, life, and previous work experience out into the field of genetic counseling. I can't predict where that will be and in what specialty, but I am ready to continue learning and thriving.