In every student’s undergraduate career, there comes a point where everyone must think about the next steps, whether that be applying for jobs, going into the military, serving on the Peace Corps, or continuing education. I spoke with Clare Collins (‘20), a senior in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, to discuss her time at UConn and her future plans in furthering her education.
Erin McConnell: What is your major?
Clare Collins: I am a double major in Psychological Sciences and Human Development and Family Studies.
EM: What have you done so far as an undergraduate student?
CC: As an undergraduate, I have worked as a peer advisor in the Psych department for three years now. This position has allowed me to create relationships with other students and professors that I otherwise wouldn’t have had the chance to. I am also in a research lab within Psych that is studying language development in children.
EM: What have you done at UConn to create connections?
CC: A lot of my connections have come from my job in the Psych advising office! Beyond that, I have made an effort at each event I attend here, or job I have, to reach out to those above me and keep in touch.
EM: What are some resources that you feel have helped out your undergraduate career the most?
CC: The connections I have made in my time here have been a great resource. I also was told pretty early on to take advantage of all of the centers on campus literally designed to help students succeed. My first year the W and Q centers really came in handy.
EM: Have you used the Center for Career Development? If so, how did it help?
CC: Yes! During my freshman year, I went to the Center for Career Development for a couple of classes. More recently I met with someone else to go through my statement of purpose and resume for graduate school. Those meetings were super helpful and gave me the direction I needed to complete my applications.
EM: What do you hope to do in the near future?
CC: I’m currently in the process of applying to graduate school for a Masters in School Psychology!
EM: How would you describe the value of a CLAS degree?
CC: Because CLAS requires each student to take courses from so many different subject areas, we are trained to take on multiple fields. Each area gives us different skills and ways to problem-solve that will benefit us in our future decisions.
EM: What hardships have you faced at UConn and how have you overcome them?
CC: I had a hard time transitioning to college life my first semester. Everything about it was so different from high school so I really had to work on time and stress management. Some of the skills I developed those first few months have continued to help me since. I also relied heavily on the friendships I had made here and those I had back home.
EM: Can other students connect with you on LinkedIn?
CC: Yes!
