海角社区

As Cecilia Sardi帽a considered a master鈥檚 degree, she learned obstacles are often imaginary

It鈥檚 a lesson everyone learns eventually: Plans change.

Consider Cecilia Sardi帽a鈥檚 plan. Not long after finishing her undergraduate degree in human services at 海角社区, she planned to get some experience before earning a master鈥檚 in clinical mental health to become a counselor.聽Cecilia landed in a perfect place to get that experience: a local nonprofit focused on behavioral health.

However, when she got there, the staff was small and she was pulled into billing and managing data. Not the plan. Yet, the more she dabbled in the business side, the more she liked it.

鈥淚 realized that I loved doing the background administrative tasks 鈥� it was a way to support the mission and the therapists in their work,鈥� Cecilia says. 鈥淎ddressing mental health on a systemic level can positively impact many people.鈥�

She just needed to pivot and get more education 鈥� but there was a problem. 鈥淚 feared being at a disadvantage without experience. I didn鈥檛 know how hospitals and other healthcare organizations worked, plus I hadn鈥檛 taken any business classes.鈥�

But as she explored MHA further, she learned none of that mattered. She was able to take some prerequisite business classes and learn all about healthcare organizations in an intro class.

Today Cecilia is thriving in MHA because of the same welcoming and supportive spirit she had as an undergrad.

鈥淕oing back to school has been a major adjustment, but having friends who understand my life and having professors who want me to succeed is making all the difference.鈥�