Congrats Grads! CFRI chats with our office’s recent UT graduates.
By Kate McKerlie
CFRI would like to take a moment to recognize our recent UT grads. CFRI is fortunate to have a fantastic group of passionate and talented individuals who work hard on a daily basis to make the great work we do possible. Congratulations UT grads, and good luck in all your future endeavors!
Helen Hollis, CFRI Graduate Research Assistant, MSSW in Clinical Social Work, Class of 2016
What are your future plans after graduation?
After graduation I plan on taking some time off to travel before I start working. I want to visit my family in Ohio, and to take a trip to Guatemala. I plan to stay in Austin and find a job in the social work field. I have a variety of professional interests; some of which include sexuality education, healthy relationships, working with children and adolescents, immigration, and grief and loss. My hope is to find a job that allows me to integrate my interests and passions. I am really looking forward to starting my career, and to putting what I have learned in grad school into practice! I also hope to have more time to read, cook, rock climb, and spend time with friends.
Has CFRI helped you further your education/career goals? If so how?
CFRI has provided me with the wonderful opportunity of working alongside passionate professionals and students. I have an increased appreciation and understanding that research-informed changes take time, and I have seen how much time and energy goes in to conducting research projects. I have had the opportunity to investigate what trauma-informed resources are available for adolescent survivors of childhood sexual abuse, and I am becoming increasingly interested in using trauma-informed practices in the future. I hope to use this knowledge to provide vulnerable youth with opportunities to learn about safe and healthy sexuality development.
What’s it feel like to graduate?
Graduating feels exciting and doesn’t quite feel real yet. I have spent the 10 years since I graduated from high school studying, traveling, serving with AmeriCorps, living abroad, and meeting amazing people all over the world. I am so excited to stay in Austin, and to take steps towards having a more stable, grounded life here. In the future I plan to make time to train for a (another) triathlon, plant a garden, spend time reading, and continuing to seek opportunities to work with and help others.
Anayeli Marcos, CFRI Undergraduate Research Assistant, BA in Sociology, Class of 2016
What are your future plans after graduation?
After graduation I am planning on attending grad school at UT. I am very excited to start my Masters programs for Social Work and Latin American Studies!
Has CFRI helped you further your education/career goals? If so how?
Working at CFRI has really helped me gain more research experience, as well as helping me figure out what aspects of research I enjoy the most. I have been really interested about working with immigrant families, and working for CFRI has allowed me various opportunities to get involved with projects that further fuel my research endeavors. Being constantly surrounded by my hardworking and passionate coworkers at CFRI really pushed me to apply to grad school, and it is thanks to them that I found the encouragement that I needed to continue expanding my education.
What’s it feel like to graduate?
Knowing that I have successfully completed my Bachelors degree in four years makes me feel extremely proud of myself. As an undocumented Latina, being the first one in my family to go to college came with many obstacles that could have prevented me from graduating, but I did it!
Patrick Tennant, CFRI Research Coordinator, PhD in Human Development & Family Sciences, Class of Winter 2015
What are your future plans after graduation?
I’m living in Houston and working with CFRI and the Nick Finnegan Counseling Center.
Has CFRI helped you further your education/career goals? If so how?
Yes, quite a bit. CFRI supported me during my last semester of graduate school and into my first post-graduate position. I truly appreciate the opportunity to pursue work that both allows me to develop my abilities and to make a meaningful and positive contribution to our society.
What’s it feel like to graduate?
My first thought is “finally” after over ten years of post-high school education.