Brianna Delgado Email and Phone Number

Why Environmental PsychologyIn the fall of 2020, between quarantine, wildfires, and the beginning of a very intense school semester, I was overwhelmed, stressed, and almost never left my house. In the interest of self-care, I decided to start exercising and began taking a walk each day in my neighborhood. I soon found that these walks were better for much more than just my physical health. All the stress about school, the pandemic, climate change, and the state of the world, was lifted and, instead, I felt joy and gratitude because I got to experience those moments. I was honestly surprised to find that I had fallen absolutely, head over heels, in love with nature.I was even more surprised to notice that my mood throughout the day was better when I went on a walk and worse if I missed one. This inspired the topic for my senior capstone project: The Effect of Green Space on School-aged Children with ADHD. As it turns out, the beneficial effects of exposure to nature on mental health are well documented. I had already known that I wanted to spend my career in service to my community and felt that I had finally found the right way for me to do just that. I decided to put my psychology degree to use in helping people connect to nature. What I Have to OfferMy extensive coursework in psychology has given me insight into how others think and behave and the skills to work with individuals in a sensitive and respectful manner. I have also completed coursework in environmental studies, including Intro to Environmental Issues, Managing Environmental Issues, and Human Ecology. As a food server, I have gained hands-on experience managing the needs of my customers, oftentimes all at once, and working cohesively with a professional team. I have also worked with nonprofit organizations within my community as a volunteer at the Santa Cruz SPCA and the Watsonville Wetlands Watch.What I am Looking ForI would like to put my knowledge and skills to use at an internship or entry level position in psychology or environmental services. I believe that gaining experience working with individuals in natural settings is the next step in preparing me for a career in environmental psychology. If you are also excited about working towards the health and healing of human beings and the environment, I would love to hear from you!