|
Home |
Success Stories
Name:
Theresa Richer
 |
Residence:
Indianapolis, Indiana
Graduation Year:
2000
Major:
Psychology
Minor:
Human Services
Why did you choose SJC?
There were a few reasons that influenced my decision
to attend SJC. Going to a small school was important to me because I wanted
to the opportunity to be involved on campus. The Core Program's emphasis
on reading, writing, and discussion was really great, and I liked the idea
of attending classes with students outside of my major. What cinched my
decision was the feeling I received when I visited the campus. Everyone
was really friendly, and the current students I interacted with spoke highly
of their professors and seemed genuinely happy to be there. As a student, what were you involved in?
I was involved with the SJC Band, Choir, Psychology
Club, Columbian Players (SJC's theatre organization), and Dance Team, and
I was a member of Psi Chi National Honor Society in Psychology and Alpha
Lambda Delta freshman honor society. The Columbian Players was my favorite
activity, and in addition to having principal roles in most of the 10 performances
I was in, I co-produced a variety show and directed a one-act comedy during
my senior year. That year, I also participated in Habitat For Humanity and
spent my spring break in Columbus, Georgia, building a house with fellow
SJC students. Work experience during my college career included being a Career Specialist for SJC's Career Center, where I assisted students with the writing of their resumes and cover letters and constructed a newsletter that featured current job openings for graduating seniors, internships for underclassmen, and upcoming career fairs. Also, to meet a practicum requirement for my minor, I worked at the Comprehensive Development Center (CDC) in Rensselaer, where I worked with adults with developmental disabilities. I enjoyed my time at CDC so much that I continued working there after completing my practicum hours to teach a performing-arts class for some of the clients.
What are you doing now?
I am a Vocational Assessment Counselor for Easter
Seals Crossroads Rehabilitation Center in Indianapolis, Indiana. My primary
responsibility is to provide career counseling to working-age adults with
disabilities, and to assist them in determining appropriate job goals based
on their skills, limitations, and interests. I also set up job-shadowing
appointments and informational interviews in the community and complete
career assessment reports. Over ninety percent of my clients are referred
to me by Indiana State Vocational Rehabilitative Office, and on occasion,
I receive referrals from private individuals. Recently, Crossroads has received
some referrals from attorneys, requesting that their clients obtain a vocational
assessment, and because I earned a Master of Science degree in Rehabilitation
Counseling from the University of Illinois in 2002 and passed my Certified
Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) exam, I am the only member of the staff in
my department qualified to do this. In my spare time, I continue to stay
involved in community theatre. How did SJC prepare you for the "real world"?
The opportunity I had to be involved in so many
different activities at Saint Joseph's College has helped me to become a
well-rounded person, and gave me the confidence I need to be successful,
try new things, and approach new situations. Also, all the writing I did
in Core and the classes in my major worked to my advantage in graduate school.
When it was time for me to begin writing my thesis for my master's degree,
my strong writing background and experience in research made the process
a little less scary for me. Finally, the friendships I made at SJC are ones
that I will have for the rest of my life.
