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The Struggle Can Be Real…
Dominique Lawson, MS
Who am I?
Ms. Lemons’ sorority sister
Born and predominantly raised in Oakland, California Briefly lived in
Sacramento, Ca
Raised by a single-father
Only girl of a sib ship of 3 brothers
Moved to SoCal in 2004 for college
Full-time student
Work as Life Solutions Resource Counselor
Part-time Office Manager
Just Terminated Counselor for
Elementary and Middle School Students
Fall 2014 Substance Abuse
Therapist for Adults
Journey in Education
Let’s be real…
Oakland Technical High School Graduated with 3.8
California State University, Fullerton The Struggle was real…and so
was the distractions Graduated in 2008 with 2.7
University of La Verne Graduated in 2011 with 3.7
California School of Professional Psychology Current GPA 3.8 3rd year this Fall Expected Graduation 2017
CSU-Fullerton
Obtained BA in Psychology (2008) Minor in Afro Ethnic Studies Completed the degree in 4 years
Joined a sorority Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc
Career goal: Clinical Psychologist Requires a PhD
Necessary steps to obtain the degree Doctorate degree
My GPA effected the quicker path to reach my goal
Work Experience with BA
Worked at Seneca Center Word at a Non-Public School Level 14 with Severely Emotionally Disturbed
Children Ages 5-19
Westcoast Children’s Clinic Assessment Center for Foster Children
in Oakland and Hayward CA Ages Birth-22
University of La Verne
Obtained my Masters of Science in Marriage Family Therapy
Became a MFT
Worked with adolescent & families
Used this GPA to apply for PhD
programs
CSPP-Los Angeles at Alliant International
University
Alliant International University, CSPP-
Los Angeles 5 year+ program
Research and Clinical Based
Completed my second year in May
Program is rigorous and requires full-time commitment
Research on: Mindfulness Meditation Work Life Balance Family Cohesiveness with
Incarcerated Loved ones
Attend conferences and present research
Counsel children and adults
Community Outreach
Last Fall presented in: San Diego Los Angeles Sacramento
This Fall presenting San Diego (Sept) Boston (Oct)
Late Nights…Early Mornings
Career Paths in Psychology
What can you do?
Volunteer
Shadow a position of interest
Network People know people
Always show your best you, you never know who is watching you
Patience is key…
Keys to Success
Maintain a GPA Work smarter, not harder Study groups
Have a social life Study hard, but take breathers
and relax
Network
Realize who and what are possible distractions Avoid Re-evaluate
Realize you will have a set back…that’s life just bounce back
