Alumni Spotlight: Brogan Comstock
Brogan Comstock (she/her)
- Major: PSY BA (Spring 2022)
- Position: Prosthetic and Orthotic Resident
- Employer: University of Washington (Harborview Medical Center)
What is your work like? What are your duties?
Current resident working both prosthetic and orthotic disciplines at Harborview Medical Center, which is owned by the University of Washington. Under mentorship, I evaluate patients, develop treatment plans, fabricate devices, and execute treatment plans with continued follow up.
How would you say your psychology degree has helped you with your current job?
Having an understanding of psychology helps me so much in my career. From having learned how to talk to people, such as motivational interviewing. Having more of an understanding of trauma or people with disabilities. Additionally, how to understand what someone is not saying or the way they are acting to pivot care in order to provide more tailored and appropriate interactions to each patient.
In what way has your major complemented your current job?
Communication and knowing how to ask questions is the primary complement. However, research and knowing how to critically analyze information is also a large aspect of my career.
How did you find your current position?
My career has a specific residency application portal where I found the position. In addition, having made professional connections at the Minneapolis VA helped with networking to get this position.
What advice do you have for our current psych students and recent grads?
I like to live by the motto - if it's worth doing, do it twice. The first time is not a great representation of the actual situation given the nerves. Usually after two times, you also have a good idea if it is something to pursue. Reach out twice, do two informational interviews about the job, go to two classes for that new skill, etc.
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