Sophia Makarem

Riveting, Challenging (positively), Teamwork, Beneficial, Encouraging

UHP has allowed me to step out of my comfort zone and experience new things. The experience requirement forced me to find activities I'd like doing and encouraged me to find an internship (that has now lasted for almost a year and I love it)! The community is also great and I feel like I am really valued as a student; my advisor is so understanding and helpful that I love talking to her and asking for her advice on future experiences.

The experiences help you more than hinder you. Five experiences may seem like a long time commitment to be in the program, but they can be anything and everything as long as there is meaningful reflection and goals set for a successful outcome. These experiences also shape you into a better student, individual, and (hopefully) participant in society.

An honors experience I will never forget is my self-designed experience titled "Exploring the Profession: My Law Clerk Internship". Since September 2022, I have been a law clerk for a local attorney who specializes in employment law. This experience has opened my eyes to the tedious work of filing, client communication, and all the paperwork that goes on behind the scenes of trials and settlements. The knowledge I have gained has been incredibly helpful and beneficial in setting expectations for myself and solidifying my intention to pursue a career in law.

I am currently taking PSYCH2090: Death and Dying. I know the name in itself is intense and I am sure my takeaways will be, too. I am excited to once again, get out of my comfort zone and become comfortable talking about uncomfortable topics.