UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Alexis Kauffman, a fourth-year student majoring in political science and minoring in Spanish in the Penn State College of the Liberal Arts, has had a strong interest in mental health and self-improvement for as long as she can remember.
“I really enjoy connecting with the community and supporting individuals, specifically on a journey to better mental health and a greater well-being overall,” said Kauffman, a Marysville native.
After graduation, Kauffman said she hopes to attend a graduate program to become a licensed professional counselor.
“Eventually, I would like to open my own counseling practice,” she said
It was through Kauffman’s various internships that she gained the skills and passion that will help her become a counselor. Last summer, she worked as a government service intern within the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, specifically in the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. She gained invaluable experiences in understanding how her future career path can support other Pennsylvanians.
“I worked on a project that organized data results of Pennsylvanians’ experiences using publicly funded mental health services,” Kauffman said. “I’ve always been eager to learn more because I grew up in a very rural community, and with this job I was exposed to the raw, honest experiences of those in Pennsylvania. I was also able to utilize my Spanish minor and translate different surveys. It really sparked more passion for mental health and got me interested in how I can break down the barriers in accessing care, resources and education.”
Kauffman credits much of her success and the foundation of her interests to the College of the Liberal Arts. She said she felt incredibly prepared going into her internships due to the opportunities and resources offered through the college.
“The critical thinking skills I gained throughout my classes really led me to succeed in my internships,” Kauffman said. “As for resources, the Career Enrichment Network is an underrated resource that I would advise liberal arts students to take advantage of. They’ll help you narrow down career choices to find those that align with your passions and help you determine a future that is really meant for you. They’ve even helped me with my resume and interviewing skills. The College of the Liberal Arts has really prepared me.”
Kauffman also interned for Allegheny Health Network’s Department of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion this past fall. She worked as a research assistant where she researched the impact of political and social determinants of health on the mental and behavioral health of individuals across various demographics in Pittsburgh.
“I sought out this opportunity to build upon my research and collaboration skills,” Kauffman said. “More importantly, I wanted to educate myself. I left this internship feeling more informed about the adversities people face, no matter the demographic. It was a really neat opportunity to connect with individuals within the field of diversity, equity and inclusion.”
Kauffman’s biggest takeaway from these experiences, she said, was how important it was for her to offer accessible mental health resources to her future clients. She explained that these internships educated her on the lives of others and the diversity within our society and how she wants to do as much as she can to support communities.
“Everyone, no matter their identity or demographic, faces challenges and deserves equal care,” Kauffman said. “I knew that I wanted to be a mental health counselor, and my experience working for the commonwealth really solidified this. It showed me that we need more people in this field. Working for the Allegheny Health Network helped me realize that a big part of being a counselor is creating inclusive and equitable environments for those who seek help.”
Career Enrichment Network
The Career Enrichment Network empowers Liberal Arts students to explore, engage and define their career journey through diverse career development opportunities. Students can meet with a career coach to explore careers, internships, education abroad, research, the Liberal Arts Alumni Mentor Program and more. Through donor support, the Career Enrichment Network is able to provide Liberal Arts students with funding to participate in many of these experiences.