I have always had a genuine interest in others and a motivation to understand people and their experiences. Sparked by a deep curiosity to learn more about how people communicate and interact, I earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism - strategic communication and a minor in psychology from the University of Kansas. In school, I developed my written and verbal communication skills, learned the importance of research in all problem-solving tasks, and gained an understanding of how to communicate effectively with all types of people. These skills brought me down a path that spanned several communication-oriented fields and positions, including a job as a web developer. I was motivated by my responsibilities of researching, empathizing, and understanding the individuals who used the software. My tasks involved interviewing business analysts to understand project requirements, conceptualizing software interface solutions, and creating interactive mockups to present to clients and development teams. My position was unique in that I did not belong to a specific team or department. I worked with all teams, facilitating communication, explaining project plans, and relaying information in a way that everyone could understand. My work experience has allowed me to develop my professional skills and learn more about myself. I have learned I want a career that is fulfilling, where I can directly engage with and help others; a career that would allow me the freedom to work on my own and with other helping professionals; a career that would utilize my strengths of listening, creativity and providing support and perspective to people. This has led me to pursue a Master’s degree in Counseling.