David Bright, '15
Clinical Remote Instructor of Counselor Education & Mental Health Therapist
The University of Oklahoma & Union Square Practice
What factors led you to choose 第一吃瓜网 for your master's degree?
The sense of community at 第一吃瓜网 is unparalleled. After experiencing its charm and benefits as an undergraduate I was excited to continue my personal and intellectual growth in the graduate program. I truly felt respected, heard, cared about, and mentored throughout my time in the graduate program. I could have not have been more satisfied with my decision.
How did you end up choosing School Counseling instead of another counseling specialty area?
As someone who lacked guidance and direction early in life, I was inspired by the idea that I could be the change and advocate I once needed. School counselors make a world of difference for countless children and I was able to experience this in my first job as a school counselor. I went into a high needs school and felt prepared to handle the complex challenges starting day one. My school counseling background greatly prepared me for my past work as a school counselor and current roles within academics and the mental health field.
What were some of your favorite things about the program?
The professors cared about me both in and out of the classroom. They were prepared to mentor me personally as well as professionally and their mentorship helped me not only find my career path but who I was as a person and the difference I wanted to make in the world. Truly, their dedication to me and other students was life changing. I'm eternally grateful for their time and commitment to mentorship.
Fondest program memory?
The camaraderie between my cohort and I. We toiled in the classroom and in the library but spent plenty of time socializing and unwinding together, creating bonds and memories which will last a lifetime. My personal favorite is how we turned our practicum room into "club prac" where we laughed, joked, and played cards to pass time between our classes and clinical sessions. It was magical!
What was your impression of the coursework? Clinical Training? Faculty?
The coursework was thorough and engaging. It really covered everything we needed to know in order to succeed in the field of counseling. It felt the same for the clinical training and supervision - it truly was comprehensive. The faculty challenged us but in such a supportive way. My cohort and I strove to get the most of the program because we felt motivated and empowered by our instructors. My time in the master's program was the most meaningful and comprehensive education I've ever received in my entire life.
How did the program help to prepare you for your career?
The program not only provided the information I needed to succeed at school but also the perspectives and reasoning necessary to earn my PhD and transition to work in the mental health counseling realm. The education allowed me to get practical experience to gain mastery in the field of counseling as well as the research and philosophical tenets necessary for me to apply this knowledge more broadly. I was successful as a school counselor thanks ti this intentional and rigorous training and I've continued benefiting from these in my current professional endeavors.
Please list any professional recognition or career awards you have received.
Author of K-12 Career Development: An Integrated Social Justice Approach Published through Cognella Academic Publishing.