When I began my graduate studies in 2017, I had a hard time thinking of myself as a professional. Despite having taught high school English before embarking on my journey toward a doctorate, I did not consider myself a professional of any kind. “Professionals” were poised and confident. They wore slacks, scrubs, and spectacles. They were my professors, doctors, and accountants. I figured I could be like them one day, after I graduated with my degree. Only then would I be a true “professional.”
My thinking on this topic has changed significantly in the last three years. I have started to look at professionalism as a journey, not a destination. This is due in large part to my incredible professors and clinical supervisors. They have challenged my self-concept, demonstrated genuine interest in my thoughts and ideas, and invited me into their professional spaces. I have had the honor of presenting at conferences and seminars, giving talks in front of medical residents, and collaborating with other professionals in a variety of settings. This is because my mentors have treated and seen me as a professional, all while continuing to help me develop into an effective scholar and clinician.
Had I not had such incredible supervisors and instructors in graduate school, I doubt that I would have felt like I am anything more than a student or an impostor. I doubt that I would have questioned my views on professionalism. Thanks to my mentors, I no longer feel tied down to preconceived notions of what a “professional” might look like; I have rejected the vague and abstract images of “psychologists” that used to occupy my mind. For the first time in my life, I truly feel like a professional -- an individual who takes her craft seriously, approaches her work with humility and curiosity, and always looks for opportunities to learn, grow, and improve.
-Laura
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