Last week, I wrote about some of the gifts that Palo Alto University (PAU) gave me during my three years as a student: community, advocacy, and confidence. However, there was one more gift waiting for me.
Tag: #paloaltouniversity
What Palo Alto University Gave Me
The diploma I will receive in a few days is a symbol of everything I have accomplished over the past three years. I will frame it and hang it in my office. But the guidance and sense of connection I found along the way cannot be framed. They are woven into who I am and who I am becoming. They are part of me.
What Helped Me Complete 600 Internship Hours While Working Full-Time
The more you understand the rules, the easier it becomes to maximize opportunities for earning hours. In addition to reading all available resources, do not hesitate to ask questions of your internship faculty and supervisors. Knowledge is power and allows you to develop a clear plan of action.
A Letter to Future Trainees
You are not expected to begin this journey as a finished professional. You are simply being asked to begin.
One Answer, Many Still Unfolding
Arriving at that decision has brought a sense of steadiness during a time that could easily feel uncertain. There are many reasons behind it, but the most meaningful is the level of support I have experienced there. From supervisors to staff to fellow clinicians, I have felt guided, encouraged, and challenged in ways that support growth.
The Final Quarter
At this point, I’m hopeful that I have absorbed what I need from this part of the journey. At the same time, I’m aware that learning does not end with the completion of these two remaining courses. It has already extended beyond the classroom through more specialized trainings.
Approaching the Finish Line
These questions point toward the beginning of a new stage, yet they are not completely new. Over the past three years, this program has asked much more of me than learning theories or practicing counseling techniques. It has asked me to grow in patience, humility, and presence.
Winter Quarter: The Final Stretch Begins
One especially exciting aspect of this course is who will be teaching it. Research and Program Evaluation will be co-taught by two professors who taught us early in the program. Full-time faculty rarely co-teach due to their workload, but my cohort asked anyway. To our delight, they said yes.
Interview: Lili Niclas
I hope to become a counselor who embodies empathy and cultural humility while helping clients feel empowered to make positive changes in their lives and develop a stronger sense of self-awareness. I believe we all have an inner compass that guides us in life when we are connected to it.
Learning to Learn Differently
Learning isn’t static. It changes as we change. Earlier in the program, I needed structure and theory. Now, I need guidance that connects directly to the work I am doing in real time. I am also noticing that being a student feels different when the finish line is finally in sight.
Roque Neto 