Elisa Rodriguez, a Tucson native and 2015 graduate, studied Psychology as an undergraduate at the College of Science and goes on to earn her Master of Science in Professional Counseling in 2021. Rodriguez, who currently works as a trauma therapist primarily with children, laid the groundwork for foundation for becoming a therapist during his time as an undergraduate at the University of Arizona and would not be where he is today without the experience he gained in college.
Rodriguez spoke with the College of Science to reflect on his time as an undergraduate and how to prepare him for a career in professional therapy.
Elisa Rodriguez
Current job title: Professional Advisor City of Origin: Tucson, AZCurrent City: Chandler, AZ Degree from UA: Bachelor of Science in Psychology Degree from other institution: Master of Science in Professional Counseling See the article : Bayonetta 3 has added a “nudity censorship regime,” Platinum says.
College of Science: How has your time at the University of Arizona and the College of Science prepared you for your postgraduate life and career today?
Rodriguez: My biggest gain from my bachelor’s degree was a new perspective on the world around me. Our lives are spent engaging with our environment, making decisions, feeling emotions, and spending time with other people. My degree gave me a way to think about it all in a new way – with science, facts, deduction, an appreciation of interconnectedness. It taught me how to be aware of my own biases and how to suspend my judgment until I knew more. I learned how to think critically about things and make choices for the greater good. And now, as I continue my career/school in healthcare, and as I continue my life as a human being, all these skills help me every day. My time at the College of Science broadened my horizons without changing the horizons I saw.
CoS: What attracted you to majoring in Psychology when you decided on your major as a student?
Rodriguez: When I chose my major, I knew that I liked science, especially science related to human health and small-scale (microscopic/molecular) biology. Several majors fit into the box, so after looking at the top-level (3rd and 4th year) courses in each major, the Molecular and Cellular Biology department was my clear choice as I was most passionate about the course.
CoS: When you look back on your time as a Wildcat, what memories stand out? Have a favorite class, lab, mentor, or research project?
Rodriguez: I have very fond memories of volunteering in the lab as an undergraduate. There are many reasons I enjoy it, including because I can get school credit for the time I spend in the lab. But my greatest source of pleasure is the fact that I can apply what I learn at school in a fun way–and in an environment where people trust me and encourage my success. I am surrounded by great mentors (others in the lab – PhD candidates, professors, etc.), much smarter than me, who are humble, appreciative, and kind. They take time out of their day to talk to me, coach me, inspire me, show me the beautiful things that I can achieve with effort and perseverance. One of my mentors, Dr. Parker Antin, told me one day, as I was struggling with the results of my experiment, that “time is your most valuable resource.” I didn’t quite understand it at the time, but he taught me the importance of work/life balance and knowing when to step back and rest. It takes an intelligent person and introspection to teach it. This is one of the most memorable lessons I have taken from my time in the lab.
CoS: After graduating with a degree in Psychology and now in your career, what surprised you the most about how your education affected your professional success?
Rodriguez: I am now in medical school, which has a clear link to degrees in molecular and cellular biology. But what I want to talk about here is spending the last five years doing social work. Social work, I thought, wasn’t an obvious career choice with my degree. I was really surprised how helpful my degree was in that field. I do social work for people with HIV–the important part here is that HIV is a virus, and my background in biology allows me to talk to people about their health/infection in a way that many professionals around me can’t. . If someone wants to know more about HIV science or treatment or any other topic in the science field, I am the right person at my place to get information. My degree makes me stand out because I have unique skills, even when I have a job that is not based on molecular biology. In fact, it was the “social” part of “social work” that inspired me to go back to school–become a primary care doctor through medical school. Science is super cool, which will always be a part of my career, and I’ve learned that it’s people who make me excited and happy (hence my dream of becoming a primary care doctor).
CoS: What advice would you give someone interested in pursuing an education or career in Psychology?
Rodriguez: Ask yourself if you are pursuing an education/career because you want to. Would you do this if there was no fancy paper (degree) at the end? If so, great, let your passion for biology be your motivation, your center. And beyond that, do what you want and have fun!
