PEARL MEREDITH

What brought you to KPU and your program of study?

Getting to university was not a linear path for me. After high school I spent time working and taking the odd course here and there, never quite committing to a program. When I was about twenty seven I came across theoretical work in psychology that made me look more deeply at careers in the field. I decided that I wanted to go back to university to study psychology with the goal of going on to train as a clinical psychologist. The first step was obtaining my bachelor's degree. I happened to live near two Kwantlen campuses and applied, originally thinking that I would complete some courses at my local campus before transferring to a larger university. However, I soon became attached. I abandoned my plans to transfer and committed to full-time studies at KPU. I found an academic community at Kwantlen that continues to inspire and support me, even two years after graduation.

Can you briefly describe your current position and your main day to day responsibilities?

Last fall I began a master's degree in clinical psychology at Simon Fraser University. Each day as a grad student can be completely different. My days often involve attending classes at the Burnaby campus and reading papers on anything from attachment theory to quantitative research methods. In my junior clinical practicum position I conduct psychological assessments twice a month and write reports that help people find employment and education opportunities that align with their strengths and barriers. You can also find me at the campus clinic doing intakes for therapy clients, in my home office developing my thesis, attending seminars on topics in clinical psychology and the philosophy that underlies the discipline, and doing work as a research assistant (sometimes from the comfort of my couch!).

Which skills, knowledge, or experiences from KPU have been most valuable in your career so far?

The research experiences that I had at KPU prepared me very well for the work I am currently doing in my master's program. Our statistics and research methods courses gave me a solid foundation not only in conducting research, but also in interpreting and thinking critically about the papers I read nearly every day. Joining the O-Lab led by Dr. Cory Pedersen and Amanda Champion has made me feel at home in the process of academic research and dissemination, and completing an Honours thesis under the supervision of Dr. Jocelyn Lymburner developed my skills in collaborative scholarship. The analytic training I gained in the philosophy department at KPU has also been invaluable; having a foundation in philosophy has enriched my thinking and allowed me to bring alternative perspectives to the work I am doing in clinical psychology.

What advice would you give current KPU students who want to build a successful career after graduation?

Being a student can sometimes feel isolating, especially if you are attending school without a group of friends by your side. Remember that by being a student you are also part of an academic community. Reject the myth of the lone hero - we can all get further when we go together. Make connections with your peers and your instructors. Take a risk and join a group, team, or lab doing things that seem important and interesting. Contribute to the groups that you join, support the efforts of others, and let them support you. The community you create at KPU will help you get where you want to go. Once you're there, bring others with you. Whatever success means to you, having a community at your back can make all the difference.