Student Ambassador: Maura Monahan

Hello, prospective students!

My name is Maura Monahan and I am a part-time student in the Couples and Family Therapy track of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program here at WJC.

I am originally from Weymouth, MA – where I also live today! I earned my BS in Economics from the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, VA and completed my MBA at Boston University, where I worked for nearly a decade. My most recent role at BU was working as an IT business systems analyst and while it offered great opportunities to learn and advance, there were many experiences in my personal and professional life that ultimately led me to the decision to change careers and pursue a graduate degree in counseling.

Without a background in psychology or a related field, I was a bit overwhelmed when I first began the process of researching graduate programs. William James stood out as incredibly welcoming and inclusive. I attended multiple webinars hosted by the Admissions office as well as panels with faculty to get a sense of the school and my program specifically. I reached out to current student ambassadors to learn about their experiences. Each and every interaction I had with members of the WJC community was incredibly positive and reassuring. I was very nervous about making a complete switch in my career path but as I learned more about the amazing curriculum, field experience opportunities, and support for students here, I was assured that the program was absolutely the best fit.

It took me a little more than a year to evaluate different graduate programs, apply, and ultimately decide to attend WJC. I would tell any individual contemplating a similar choice to take their time and to complete necessary steps to make the decision with confidence. Now as a student, I love being part of a cohort in my program because you are all going through challenges together – exams, papers, figuring out where your classroom is located on the first day of the semester, etc. 😊 Faculty are always willing to answer questions and provide support. I have learned so much already and feel that the program really is the best preparation for starting my new career path.

For students who are already here, I find it helpful and necessary to still dedicate time to hobbies outside of school. Doing things I love like sewing, reading, or baking help me recharge and destress. I am also always reminding myself how much I truly love what I am learning in my classes. This makes it easier to set aside large amounts of time to complete readings and assignments each week.

Please reach out if you want to chat more about the counseling program or my experience applying to WJC!