Where are you from?
I am from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Where did you go for undergrad?
I attended the University of Georgia. Go Dawgs!
Describe your path to the Emory Genetic Counseling Training Program
Because I attended college at UGA, I was close enough to Emory University to learn of its reputation and take advantage of their programs to educate people about careers in genetic counseling. I attended an event hosted at Emory to understand more about genetic counseling as a potential career path and then learned more about the field from faculty that came to Athens to speak to the UGA Genetics Club.
After graduating from UGA, I spent a year working as a medical scribe and genetic counseling assistant for a children's hospital in Philadelphia. Fortunately, I would soon return to Georgia when I matched with Emory!
Emory stood out to me because of the diverse and robust clinical rotation opportunities in the Atlanta area, both in core and specialty areas. Interacting with the faculty and students during my interview, and seeing how close the cohorts were, was what really solidified the decision for me.
What field do you plan to pursue post-graduation?
After graduation, I have plans to work as a pediatric metabolic genetic counselor at a children's hospital in Austin, Texas.
What would you want others to know about your years in the Emory Genetic Counseling Training Program?
My experience in the Emory Genetic Counseling Training Program has been both challenging and rewarding. I feel prepared to take the next steps toward becoming a genetic counselor because I was taught by engaging instructors in the classroom and learned from expert health care professionals in clinical rotations.
The program facilitated my involvement in many activities, like national conferences, family camps, and programs with other Emory students, such as Fellowship in Advocacy, Community Engagement and Social Entrepreneurship (FACES) in Georgia Perinatal Health and Emory Pipeline Collaborative (EPiC). Most importantly, I was surrounded by my supportive classmates throughout all of it.
Why did you decide to pursue a career as a genetic counselor and come to Emory?
In my high school biology class, I was introduced to Punnett squares and pedigrees and was immediately intrigued. From there, I discovered genetics, and then genetic counseling. Only a few colleges have an undergraduate degree in genetics, so that is how I landed at UGA.
During undergrad, I affirmed my decision to pursue a career as a genetic counselor by participating in related activities and clubs, shadowing genetic counselors, and attending countless open houses and seminars, both in person and online.
What did you like most about living in Atlanta?
To say I loved living in Atlanta for the past two years would be an understatement! I love outdoor activities, and Atlanta, even though it is a big busy city, provides so many opportunities to enjoy the outdoors year-round, such as walking on the Beltline, shopping at farmers markets and festivals, having a picnic in Piedmont Park, hanging out with friends at outdoor breweries.