Colin Powell School
Clinical psychology student Melodie Perez is making the most of her academic endeavors. Serving as both a statistics peer coach and a student advisor, Melodie is taking advantage of opportunities that have introduced her to the world of counseling. “It allows me to connect with individuals to not just listen, but also help them relieve their distress and dissatisfaction,” says Melodie. Melodie hopes to build on these opportunities to achieve her goal of becoming a psychologist.
Where are you from and what is your background?
I was born and raised in Harlem. My father is Dominican, and my mother is German and Swedish, but unfortunately, I can only speak English. I was homeschooled from preschool through high school because my parents believed that they could provide me with a better education than most public schools. As I look back on the experience, I am extremely thankful that my parents were able to commit so much time and energy into giving me the best education they believed possible.
What brought you to City College and the Colin Powell School?
Ever since I took a College Now course during high school, I realized that psychology was something that greatly interested me. The concepts and information that I learned genuinely excited me, so it didn’t feel like a task to sit down and study. Coming from a family on the lower end of the socioeconomic status, I chose CUNY because it is the most affordable, and I chose the Colin Powell School within City College because it offers one of the best psychology programs within CUNY. Also, I was living only three blocks from the campus which was extremely convenient for those eight o’clock AM classes!
What is your concentration at the Colin Powell School, and what is your passion or purpose behind pursuing this concentration?
My concentration at the Colin Powell School is clinical psychology and I am currently pursuing my BA/MA through the CASAC [Credentialed Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor Trainee] program. I have always enjoyed talking to others in order to understand their decisions, emotions, beliefs, and behaviors. Because of this, I believe that clinical psychology is the perfect match. It allows me to connect with individuals to not just listen, but also help them relieve their distress and dissatisfaction.
How would you say the Colin Powell School is helping you to get to where you want to be in the future?
The Colin Powell School has provided so many amazing resources to aid my education and future goals. These include amazing advisors who are genuinely passionate about my success and enhancing my experiences, tutoring opportunities when I am having trouble with a particular class, and the Career and Professional Development Institute which has guided me in finding internships and job opportunities that are in line with my educational interests and academic pursuits.
What can you tell us about any internships, fellowships, or unique experiences you have had during your time at the Colin Powell School?
One of the opportunities that I have greatly enjoyed while at City College is working as a statistics tutor, peer coach, and student advisor in the Psychology Department under the supervision of Sophia Barrett and Professor Brett Silverstein. These opportunities have been very beneficial in enhancing my relationships with professors and communication with fellow students. These opportunities have also introduced me to the world of counseling as I must listen to the problems of those who come to seek my help and find a solution to their problem.
What advice would you give future and current students who are also looking to pursue these sorts of opportunities and experiences?
One piece of advice that I would give students who are looking to pursue similar opportunities is to go for it! Stop putting it off and being shy. Your professors aren’t monsters: speak to them and find out about opportunities that they may know about. It won’t just look good on your resume; you’ll also enjoy it!