Opportunities at Southeast Missouri State University prepared Aubrey West to begin her career at the nationally ranked St. Louis Children’s Hospital as a mental health coach.
West, from Jackson, Missouri, graduated on Saturday, Dec. 16 with a degree in child and family studies.
“My program was very diligent in teaching me all that I needed to know,” says West. “Dr. Sarah Kuborn inspired me the most. She always saw potential in me and kept pushing me to be the best that I could possibly be.”
West gained an internship with a counselor at a public school where she discovered her love for working with children. The internship opportunity she credits with preparing her for her career. West will work with children who have behavioral needs, teaching them dialectical behavior therapy techniques, so they can be successful.
“I always had a passion to work with kids, even at a young age,” West said. “I loved volunteering and interacting with them. I just found kids to be fascinating with how their brain works along with their emotions. I chose this path because I believe I can make a difference in children’s lives.”
The Department of Child and Family Studies focuses on teaching the science behind human development. The accredited program utilizes hands-on learning to help students learn about interpersonal relationships, the stages of a child’s development, and how different life events can impact the child as a whole.
West hopes to pursue a long-term career in the general field of behavioral health. Eventually, she wants to take what she learned at Southeast and the experience she gains in the field and educate more people with her expertise.
“Behavioral health is very different compared to mental health, although they go hand-in-hand with each other,” West said. “I have to goal of getting back into the public schools and hopefully being able to educate others about trauma and how it can effect a child’s performance.”
