Name: Lauren Hofschneider
Year: Fourth year.
Major: Psychology and Social Behavior
What inspired you to pursue this major?
I came in as a Chemistry major and I’m quite sure not a lot of people know that about me. I lasted a good two weeks before I realized it was not what I wanted to pursue. At the time, I was actively involved with Autism Speaks, a club on campus that raises both awareness and money for autism, as well as creates programs for kids and families that have autism. While working with kids, I had a feeling that I was doing something right and that it was a profession I wanted to pursue. After taking Psychology 11C, it reinforced my love for psychology and I changed right away. I hope to be a therapist one day.
Can you talk about your job as a counselor?
This year I started working at the counseling center as a life COACH. Like I mentioned, I want to become a therapist and there are various instances where individuals who have autism, mental illnesses or impairments suffer when it comes to coping; I want to be there to give them the right tools to live a better life, but also to be their friend.
Are you involved with research?
Yes! When I was a second year I met with a counselor who gave me a list of things “successful PSB majors do before they graduate” and I said “I want to be a successful PSB major!” One of the things on the list was participating in at least two years of research. I applied for several and during my last interview I got offered a position. I started as a Research Assistant the summer of my third year. As time went by, my responsibilities in the lab grew and the people who I was working with graduated leaving me as the eldest in the lab. My favorite part now is teaching new Research Assistants the ropes and providing guidance for success within the lab. It has been extremely fun.
I did not expect to fall in love with research the way I did, but it has been an extraordinary experience. I want to pursue my own research in the future and I have joined a new research group where the dynamic between the professor, the graduate students, and I has shifted. It is more collaborative and I have greater input in the developments. I even hired my own research assistant!
What do you like to do during your spare time?
I love a good movie and a good book. Those are my two favorite things but I also love going out for drinks or dinner with friends. I enjoy the intimacy of one-on-one conversations with people, and getting to know them. Whether you are sharing a meal, a space, or a drink, it’s always nice to get to know people on a personal level. Every Saturday & Sunday is “unwinding me” time as I listen to podcasts and clean my home.
How do you like being a Campus Representative?
I love the Campus Representative program. It gives you the opportunity to truly impact prospective students and parents while having a good time. The entire program is like a family, you meet so many people who speak different languages, share diverse backgrounds and are pursuing different majors but you also learn to connect with others.
Would you like to talk a little about your culture and hometown?
I grew up in Saipan which provided a different outlook on how I view things here. I definitely learned to appreciate those around me, the culture and the environment. While growing up, my cousins and I weren’t really dependent on electronics and it allowed use to pursue creative outlets. Playing games such as hide and seek, spending time with family. and focusing on school were all things I enjoyed doing.