I realized I needed to make a change in my life when the thought of waking up and going to work filled me with hopelessness and dejection. For a long time, I believed that this lack of fulfillment was an inherent part of being a working professional, as that’s what I had unknowingly internalized from my family’s perspective of work. Despite this, I continued on, finding solace in the positive relationships I had with my coworkers. However, over time, I realized that this alone was not enough, and I felt trapped. Career definition and fear of unemployment had always plagued me and I couldn’t find a way to slay this monster on my own. Thankfully, this turn of events proved to be a catalyst for growth that would prepare me for a much bigger obstacle to come. I was initially resistant to seeking mental health support as I did not deem my problems valid or worthy of professional help. After my family and friends convinced me otherwise, I started seeing a therapist. I sought therapy to address my work-related issues and to discover my vocational path, however, it soon became evident that therapy encompassed so much more. Our sessions delved into my childhood experiences in Italy, exploring the impact of my physically and mentally abusive grandfather on my mother and subsequently on my upbringing. We also examined how my family’s move to California when I was eleven years old shaped my worldview, the reasons behind my choice to major in Business Administration despite a lack of interest in the topic, and the pervasive issues in my romantic relationship at the time. Through therapy, I realized that fear had been dictating my decisions and was suffocating my true self. To break free from the walls I had constructed for self-preservation, I needed to confront and address that fear. Armed with this newfound perspective, I began taking steps toward creating the life I truly wanted. I challenged my fear of driving following a car accident by encouraging myself to leave the house, engaged with strangers despite my social anxiety, and worked on cultivating a supportive inner dialogue instead of one focused on shame. That said, the major aspects of my life, such as my job and my romantic relationship, kept me in my comfort zone, even though I knew deep down inside that they too were founded in fear. It was not until life forced me to undergo a seismic shift that I truly had the opportunity to define my path. In February 2023, after 6.5 years, I was laid off from the job I had held since graduating college. The following month, my five-year-long relationship, which I believed would lead to marriage, came to an end. My comfort zone evaporated before my eyes and it was now completely up to me to reshape my life. But I had a weapon that I did not have before, a weapon that allowed me to take the challenge head-on and see the opportunity within it, rather than crumble in defeat. The positive mental health knowledge, practices, and support that I had been building for nearly two years helped me see that despite the negative stigma of these circumstances, this was not only the challenge I had been training to take on, but my chance to become the person I wanted to be. What I most feared had happened, and I was not only okay but somehow happy. With this fresh slate, I turned inwards, determined to uncover my true desires without the influence of past fears and the opinions of others. It became apparent that my genuine aspirations had been evident in my previous actions and choices. I yearned to help others and make a positive impact on their lives. I wanted to create deep connections, understand their experiences, and support them through their journey. I sought to make a positive impact on our world by continuing to work on being my best self and helping others pursue their personal growth. Reflecting on my time as an undergraduate student at UC Berkeley, I realized that my favorite classes revolved around leadership, self-understanding, and cultivating meaningful connections with others. These aspects manifested in a number of the elective business courses I sought out, including Management of Human Resources and Leadership. These courses covered the importance and impact of communication, interpersonal skills, emotional intelligence, self-reflection, self-awareness, ethical principles, and problem-solving. I became fascinated by the effective and ineffective ways of building relationships and resolving conflicts. I saw the value of recognizing and managing emotions, both in oneself and others, as well as being cognizant of personal biases and triggers. These classes sparked my interest to the extent that I decided to enroll in a General Psychology course my senior year purely out of a desire to deepen my understanding of the human psyche, despite it not fulfilling any graduation requirements. The General Psychology course offered an excellent overview of the inner workings of the mind and the motivations behind human behavior, covering a wide range of subjects such as the functioning of the nervous system and the complexities of mental illness and treatment. These courses not only fulfilled my desire to understand the basics of psychology and human nature but also served as a significant indicator of the direction I wished to pursue in my career. During my 6.5 years working in the field of eCommerce, I had the opportunity to further explore my passion for human connection. I worked in a very cross-functional team and therefore had to learn how to effectively communicate with individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences. My role required me to analyze problems, explore alternative solutions, and collaborate with colleagues to devise effective strategies to overcome challenges. I learned the significance of active listening, clear articulation of ideas, and empathetic responses in fostering strong work relationships and achieving collective goals. I also had the opportunity to manage a direct report, which became the highlight of my job. Through our interactions, I learned the importance of emotional support and understanding oneself and one's own biases to help others succeed. Assuming this responsibility prompted me to seek additional education to enhance my self-awareness and understand how my actions and mindset could make a difference in my direct report's professional and personal life. I felt accountable not only for providing professional guidance, training, and resources but also for equipping my direct report with the tools and support necessary to navigate the often-neglected aspects of work, including interpersonal conflicts, communication challenges, and unmet expectations. Through my professional experience, I gained valuable exposure to challenging social situations, allowing me to learn from mistakes and further fueling my interest in understanding the intricacies of the human mind and helping others. Now that I have discovered my true calling, my goal is to acquire comprehensive knowledge through the Clinical Psychology master's program at Antioch University - Santa Barbara, which aims to prepare me to become a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT). Antioch University’s emphasis on holistic education and social justice resonated deeply with my evolving worldview. The curriculum's integration of real-world scenarios and hands-on experiences aligns perfectly with my desire to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. It was clear from my interactions with the school during the application process that Antioch would meet my goal of joining a community of kind, compassionate, hard-working, and open-minded individuals who aim to make a difference in all communities. As I immerse myself in this rigorous learning environment, I am confident that I will emerge not only with the required expertise but also with a profound understanding of the diverse needs of clients. Antioch's commitment to social justice mirrors my aspiration to create an inclusive therapeutic space that recognizes and values the uniqueness of each individual. The university's focus on addressing systemic inequalities resonates with my intent to offer culturally sensitive and equitable care to all clients, irrespective of their backgrounds. Additionally, the vibrant community at Antioch encourages collaboration, peer learning, and the exchange of ideas. These interactions align seamlessly with my belief in the power of connection and the importance of building a support network within the mental health profession. Engaging with experienced faculty and fellow students will undoubtedly enrich my learning journey, expanding my perspective and deepening my understanding of therapeutic approaches. In conclusion, my journey from self-doubt to a clear vocational calling has led me back to school as I continue on my path to fulfill the requirements for licensure in the state of California, and make a positive impact in the lives of my clients as a student, associate, and, ultimately, as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. I aspire to gain a thorough understanding of current research on the intricacies of psychology and apply this knowledge in a clinical setting to assist individuals, families, groups, and couples in overcoming their struggles. I recognize that this journey will not be easy, given the complex and multifaceted nature of the human experience, however, I am eager to learn and begin making a difference. If I can provide even a sliver of the positive impact that therapy has had on my own life to someone else, then I will find fulfillment in knowing that all my efforts were worthwhile.