From time to time, we like to showcase a new SNC grad who’s entered the workplace or grad school. Success stories like these are pretty common. In fact, 95 percent of SNC's Class of 2022 alumni who responded to a survey said they were employed, in grad school or doing service work within nine months of graduating.

Hometown: Illinois
Graduation year: 2019
Degree: Bachelor of Science
Plans after graduation: Carolina will pursue a master’s in speech pathology at Marquette University in Fall 2019.

Why did you choose St. Norbert?

My sister attended SNC and she told me a lot of good things. I knew I wanted to study abroad and I knew I wanted smaller class sizes – both were offered at St. Norbert. I studied abroad in Quito, Ecuador. The college also helped me financially.

What surprised you about life at St. Norbert?

My sister always preached about the communio, radical inclusivity, and things like that. I always questioned if there really was a school that just welcomed you right away. It has to feel like your second home because you’ll be living there your next four years. I just remember being welcomed by so many students and faculty that it really did feel like a second home. I really did see that communio people talk about.

What was the path to grad school like?

When I was little, I had speech problems so I had a firsthand experience working with a speech therapist. I knew I wanted to work with children and I knew I wanted to give back to my community, so I thought I would combine the two to become a speech pathologist. When I enrolled, I questioned which major would be the best path for me. The majority of students entering college change their majors, so I had an open mind. Learning more about the human mind and behavior interested me and so I majored in psychology with a minor in Spanish. Many students who get their master’s degrees in speech pathology have minors in psychology. In a clinical sense, a psychology degree offers the one-on-one experience I’ll use as a therapist. Over the summer, I shadowed a speech therapist so I could learn more about it and decided it was truly the field I wanted.

Who helped you along your college journey?

Psychology was a heavy field and full, so I had a wonderful advisor, Professor Schoenleber, who specialized in clinical psychology. She helped me pick classes in psychology and map out a four-year plan. I also met Professor Cowell and Professor Korshavn outside of class. There were times we would have conversations; they truly hope you achieve. Professor Korshavn always asked me how grad-school applications were going and recommended people in my field I should read about.

What do you hope to do with your master's degree?

I expect to do one year of post-baccalaureate, two years of grad school and one year of fellowship. I think it’s like shadowing for a year and gradually getting your independence. After grad school, I will probably return to the suburbs of Illinois and hopefully work in a school setting.