Student Spotlights

How did you decide upon a career in Rehabilitation/Mental Health Counseling and what led you to be interested in Hofstra’s program?
I knew the general direction I wanted my career to take and knew I wanted to become a counselor. In preparation, I did some internet research and came across Hofstra’s program, which really intrigued me.  I gave it some time and meditated on my decision for a while. I eventually came back and looked at the program again. I decided that both the career choice and program fit my life and career goals.  

What would you want to let someone who is considering enrolling in the program know?
I would want to let someone considering the program know that it is a great program. I am so happy with the decision I made to attend.  This program is the epitome of what Rehabilitation Counseling is all about.

What did you like most about the program at Hofstra and what would you consider to be its greatest asset?
What I liked most about the program was definitively the staff and faculty.  They are always willing to work with you and they consistently go above and beyond what is required.  The staff and faculty are very flexible and accommodating and are always there for the students.  They worked with each student individually to ensure they had what was needed for them to complete the program and its requirements in the way best suited to the individual student. I believe the staff and faculty are the program’s greatest asset.  If a student in the program was ever struggling, nervous or in need of guidance, the staff were there for them.

What would you consider to be the highlight of your time in the program?
The highlight of my time in the program was taking the Comprehensive Examination. The exam pulled everything from all of the courses and experiences I had during my time there together. It was amazing to me to see how much I learned and grew from attending the program.  I had the realization while taking the examination that this is what I would be doing during my career as a Rehabilitation Counselor.

Tell us about your practicum and internship experiences.
My practicum was a good experience for me. I really enjoyed my internship field experience as well.  I learned a lot, both vocationally and clinically, during my time at my internship site.

How has the training and degree you received from Hofstra benefitted you?
The training and education I received from the program allowed me to see what changes and improvements were necessary at my place of employment. Given the knowledge I now possess, I have been able to provide information regarding these changes and improvements and play an instrumental role in the development of new programming.  My participation in the program has also made me eligible for a multitude of positions in the field.  Without the CRC credential, I would not have been eligible for many of these positions.

How did you finance your degree?
My degree was financed through a combination of student loans and grants provided by the University.

What would your advice to an individual currently researching graduate programs be?
I would highly recommend this program to them and tell them that in my opinion, this program is the way to go.

How did you decide upon a career in Rehabilitation/Mental Health Counseling and what led you to be interested in Hofstra's program?
I decided upon a career in Rehabilitation/Mental Health Counseling because I wanted to help people in need. I have always wanted to become a therapist.  I knew I wanted to continue my education at some point in the future and did some research on programs. When I came to the realization that I was on a career path I wanted to change, I went back and looked at the material I had collected a few years earlier.  A brochure for the Rehabilitation Counseling in Mental Health program at Hofstra happened to be among the materials I had collected.  Upon seeing the brochure I recalled a conversation I had regarding the program while attending an open house a few years earlier. At that point I researched the program further and reached out to arrange a meeting with a program representative.  After all of my research I realized that the program offered a practical career path fitting my interests. I decided to apply for and enroll in the program.

What would you want to let someone who is considering the program know?
I would want to let them know that it is a great program that treats each student as an individual, educating each based upon his or her needs and abilities. Students in this program are more than just a number.

What did you like most about the program at Hofstra? What would you consider to be the highlight of your time in the program?
I liked the size of the program the most. The small class sizes encouraged strong relationships among the students and faculty.  These relationships created an environment that was conducive to learning.  I feel strongly that the greatest asset of the program is the dedication of the faculty and staff.

Tell us about your practicum and internship experiences.
I did my practicum at FEGS where I completed 250 hours (100 hours required) at this site.  I was truly thrown into the work and gained some good experience working at this site. I did my internship at Outreach in Richmond Hill where my supervisor was quite good and served as a strong mentor for me.

Tell us about the RC Student Association.
The RC Student Association brought guest speakers from the field to speak with students in the program. As a member, I was able to hear from some spectacular speakers from whom I learned a lot.

How has the training and degree you received from Hofstra benefitted you?
The degree has significantly increased the compensation I receive from my job by qualifying me for professional positions.  The knowledge has given me the confidence to advocate for my clients and to improve the services they receive from me. My participation in the program has also allowed me to wear many hats at my job, including Vocational Rehabilitation Therapist, Intake Coordinator for the IPRT Program and Psychiatric Rehabilitation Therapist all at once.

How did you finance your degree?
I financed my degree through a combination of a Rehabilitation Counseling Grant I received and student loans.

Tell us about your background and what led you to be interested in the field of Rehabilitation Counseling.
I was working an entry level position in the field and had a passion for Rehabilitation Counseling, so I decided to return to school to further my education in the field.

What attracted you to Hofstra University’s program?
Hofstra had a reputable program and many of my friends and colleagues either graduated from the program or were enrolled in the program. It was known that Hofstra had an accredited program, with great internship options, funding assistance, and distinguished faculty.

Tell us about your relevant experiences outside of the classroom. Share information about fieldwork and/or student organization experiences you took advantage of.
Hofstra’s campus offered many amenities. The practicum and internship experiences were exceptional. The tight knit cohort made learning fun and fostered a “family-like” atmosphere.

Describe your experience working and studying with faculty in the program.
Every professor I had was extremely passionate about counseling and academics; they were all experts in the field. They made learning interesting and fun. The academic experiences in the classroom and the fieldwork in the community helped me progress in my career.

What are your long term professional goals and how did the program help you reach them?
My long term goals were to become a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, work full-time in the field, and to truly help others while enabling change. This program helped me achieve all of my goals thus far.

Why would you recommend this program to others?
I would highly recommend this program to those interested in the field of Rehabilitation Counseling as it is a great accredited program that has so much to offer. Faculty are flexible, there is funding assistance, and the university provides you with opportunities for long term success.

Tell us about your background and what led you to be interested in the field of Rehabilitation Counseling.
I was getting ready to graduate with my bachelor's degree in Sociology/Human Services and wanted to continue with my education; I knew I wanted to concentrate on a profession that allowed me to work directly with individuals with disabilities but wasn’t certain on which career path I wanted to take, so I began researching different opportunities and came across this program; it was exactly what I was looking for. 

What attracted you to Hofstra University’s program?
I had been researching different schools that provided Rehabilitation Counseling programs, and I discovered Hofstra: It had an accredited program, varied internship opportunities and connections, and funding assistance. I remember calling about the program and speaking with Dr. Mitus; she really sold me on the program, and I was so excited to be in her classroom and learn from her. 

Tell us about your relevant experiences outside of the classroom. Share information about fieldwork and/or student organization experiences you took advantage of.
The small cohorts were wonderful. It really allowed me to connect with my classmates; we would often meet before or after class for study sessions or to socialize.  My fieldwork with this program was varied; for my practicum, I was at The Long Island Center for Independent Living, Inc. (LICIL) and focused mainly on projects related to accessible housing.  For my internships, I was placed at Hofstra University’s Student Access Services – working with students with disabilities, and YAI Network within the Employment Services Department; this really allowed me to get a feel for the different opportunities and service areas that a CRC can specialize in. 

Describe your experience working and studying with faculty in the program.
The facility is fantastic and my experience with both faculty and staff of this program was very positive.  The small class sizes really allowed the instructors to provide individual assistance and learning experiences. I felt very supported in my classes and welcomed to ask questions during office hours if I needed it.  I went on to become a graduate assistant for Dr. Nerlich; that experience was very rewarding and taught me so much about the field. 

What are your long-term professional goals and how did the program help you reach them?
Through my internship experience with YAI, I discovered a passion for vocational services. I have been working in various settings, providing employment services to individuals with disabilities since graduating from Hofstra.  I relocated to Illinois several years ago and have recently accepted a position with the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities at the City of Chicago at their newly opened Career Center. I love what I do, and I love being able to help people find meaningful employment and support them during the process. I take great pride in my work, and I would not have been able to advance this far in my career without the support and learning experiences provided to me through this program. 

Why would you recommend this program to others?
I would highly recommend this program to anyone interested in the Rehabilitation Counseling field.  The program and faculty are fantastic, and you are provided with various fieldwork opportunities that allow you to learn and grow as a professional.