I am the oldest daughter of an immigrant family from India and, as such, cultural identity as been a key issue in my life. The resolution of my cultural identity has shaped who I am, the career paths I have chosen, and thus, essentially, it has shaped my life and my purpose.
After graduating from high school in Houston, Texas, I was faced with a question that a lot of young people at that age ask: “Who am I?” The answer for me seemed tied intrinsically not only to my career path but also my cultural identity. At this very pivotal point in my life, I decided to study in India in an effort to “find myself.” This one decision completely transformed me and I am who I am today because of it. In a kind of domino affect, it is also shaping my future..
Studying in India not only helped me discover my own talents and potential, it helped me learn that cultural differences are very superficial. In India, I met other students of various backgrounds and realized that underneath it all, we are essentially the same. We all have the same hopes, desires, and fears. This realization influenced my study, when I later returned to the United States, of Anthropology and Cross-Cultural Studies. My academic background, of course, has lead to my current career path in International Student Advising and Admissions.
My motto for being a student services professional is, “I have been there.” I have gotten to the point in my career where I know who I am and what I enjoy in my field. However, I feel that something is missing. While my previous job in Houston and the one currently here at Fresno State are deeply satisfying in that I am helping students from all over the world, I feel that there is so much more I can do for them. I want to help on a deeper level. I have been through what they have and I know that cultural and social adjustment to a new environment can be extremely trying but also extremely rewarding when the internal confusion is reconciled. I want to be able to help students reach that point.
Counseling for me is not just a career choice but a purpose unto itself. I have always been intellectually curious and I believe every experience holds valuable lessons. Every class I have taken has given me more insight as to who I am and that has helped me reach my own full potential. A career in counseling will not only help me others but help myself. My goal is to become a counselor in higher education for students from diverse backgrounds. Ultimately, I would like to earn a PhD in counselor education and specialize in multicultural counseling competencies and research.
