My Professional Role Model & Inspiration
After deciding I wanted to become a psychologist at age 16, I was pretty relentless in my pursuit. Throughout summer school, mid-winter sessions, and undergrad I absorbed everything I could and marveled at anything pertaining to the world of psychology. I was fortunate enough to have a nice mix of instructors in gender, ethnicity, practical experience, educational experience, and schools of thought. Unfortunately the thing that always bothered me was how serious all the professionals in the field were. It was as if they put on a permanent face, attitude, and demeanor that said, “I am perfect super serious psychologist. I am all knowing and omnipotent. You will listen to me for I am the way, the truth, and the light.” Knowing my sense of humor, playful nature, and energetic spirit, I actually began thinking that maybe the field of psychology was not for me, because I am just not that serious and stoic. I actually have depth to my personality, and a whole lot of it! I laugh at myself all of the time and try my best to let the small things roll off my back.
When I began my externship as a requirement of my master’s degree in 2000, I met a new psychologist who had just completed her doctoral studies in Florida and was relocating to Texas. She would be working in the psychology department of the Juvenile Detention Facility in which I was going to be placed to work on my hours. The first time I met Dr. Boyd I thought, “Wow, she is pretty, funny, and so full of life.” But most importantly she was great at what she did and so willing to share the knowledge she had with others. I really like and respected what she did and how she did it. I completed my master’s degree and then went on to teach in the public schools for 3 years before returning in 2004 to begin working on my doctoral degree in psychology. Again, the requirements called for several hundred more hours of externship, of which I completed at various rotations. For my final rotation I decided to go back to the same Juvenile Detention Facility.
When I returned in 2006, Dr. Boyd had become the Chief Psychologist at the facility and was still the same highly energetic and extremely competent Dr. I remembered from before. She appreciated her staff and all others she worked with. She treated the juveniles in detention with respect. She encouraged and supported continuing education for her staff and believed in celebrating every meaningful moment (big or small) with cake, lunch, and lots of pictures. After sitting in on several of her therapy session with juveniles, adults, and families I had an epiphany. I realized it was okay to maintain my sense of humor, personality, and zest for life in spite of working in a field that deals with restructuring the delicate mind and human behavior. That was what made Dr. Boyd stand out in her field. She was great at what she did, but always maintained who she was while doing it. She had integrity. She did not let her job define her, rather, she defined her job. It was during that time that I realized I could still be a psychologist and allow my personality to shine through. At the conclusion of my externship I told Dr. Boyd how she helped me see a different side of psychologists, the side I always longed to see, but was unaware of its existence.
As for my professional role model and inspiration, it was and still is Dr. Boyd. She “humanized” the stereotype of psychologists for me. She allowed me to see that we should never be extensions of our professions, rather our professions should be extensions of us. We should have passion and drive for what we do, be genuine in our efforts, laugh at ourselves, and take a break when we need it. I have yet to see a young psychologist work as diligently toward perfecting her craft as Dr. Boyd. If I can become a mere fraction of the psychologist she is, then all the aches and pains of pre/post doctoral internship and my dissertation (which has yet to be completed) will have all been worth it. Thanks Dr. B!
So what’s my point? Find the person who does what you love and does it exemplary. Learn from that person, maintain your sense of self, and go out and do great things with the knowledge you’ve acquired, but along the way remember to thank those who helped you get there and remember that someone may be watching you as a role model, inspiration, and possibly one day a mentor.
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