Alumni Spotlight: Orialis Sosa
Orialis Sosa (she/her)
- Major: PSY BA (Spring 2016)
- Position: Licensed Mental Health Counselor
- Employer: Department of Veterans Affairs
What is your work like? What are your duties?
I assist with referral management to mental health services and conduct comprehensive assessments to guide patients to the right level of care. I also provide support for non-licensed staff and intervene when necessary to complete comprehensive suicide risk assessments, safety planning, and lethal means counseling. I continue to do contract work as a therapist at a local rape crisis center. I am passionate about creating a brave space for my clients to process their experiences and build self-compassion.
How would you say your psychology degree has helped you with your current job?
Working as a mental health counselor, there is no one-size-fits-all approach; it’s important to approach each individual with curiosity and empathy, really taking the time to build rapport and understand how an individual’s personal experiences shape their perspectives. I was always curious about what shapes us, and my degree strengthened that curiosity even more. The courses I took laid the foundation for understanding human behavior and development. I learned how each person is shaped by their biology, culture, personal experiences, etc. Internships and volunteer experiences gave me the necessary real-world experience to practice new skills in a supportive setting.
In what way has your major complemented your current job?
My courses introduced me to foundational theories about human development. Statistics courses taught me the importance of evidence-based approaches, being a lifelong learner, and to be aware of my own biases. These are important skills for graduate school and my current career.
How did you find your current position?
I found my current job through a previous connection I had made in graduate school. At the U, I used the databases provided by the Psychology department to find internship and volunteer opportunities in the area. Build your network and connect with others who share similar passions and interests.
What advice do you have for our current psych students and recent grads?
Get hands-on experience! You will learn so much by practicing what you are learning in the real world and making connections. In my case, I volunteered at several local rape crisis centers in the area. I got to practice case formulation and relationship-building skills. I learned valuable tools for staying calm and de-escalating a crisis, skills that are valuable for many career paths. I truly believe that my internship experiences are what set me apart in my graduate school interviews. Make connections with supervisors, mentors, professors and stay in touch. This has come in handy for me so many times, whether it’s asking for professional references or learning about an experience I wouldn’t have known about otherwise.
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