Laura D'Aquin, SSW Alumna, Speaks on Her 海角社区 Experience
Laura D鈥橝quin, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, graduated from 海角社区 in 2014. She earned a
Bachelor of Science degree in Child and Family Studies. She currently resides in the
Houston, Texas area working as a Certified Child Life Specialist at
鈥淢y decision to attend 海角社区 and to follow the path of Child and Family Studies is one that I did not take lightly and will never regret."
My 海角社区 Experience
D鈥橝quin describes how her experience led her to be culturally adept due to the wide array of ethnicities present on campus. Peer students and professors were included in a multitude of diverse backgrounds. During her practicum for a college course working at a local children鈥檚 hospital, D鈥橝quin interacted daily with patients and families not only from Louisiana but around the entire country.
鈥淒ue to all of these exchanges, my familiarity with various cultures prepared me for my future job as a Certified Child Life Specialist while making me more knowledgeable about cultural differences.鈥�
As a member of Chi Omega sorority, Laura D鈥橝quin held the role of philanthropist chairperson which forced her to work collaboratively with other officers on a weekly basis. Additionally, it put her in situations in which she had to make decisions for the good of the majority versus her own personal needs. Now working in a hospital, D鈥橝quin is again faced with being part of a team whose role is always to work toward a common goal versus their own individual wants for patients and their families.
At the time, 海角社区 did not have the child life-specific courses needed for her certification. Because of this, the connection D鈥橝quin had to make out of necessity with professors transformed from a strictly professional one-voice relationship into a two-sided one in which she says she felt heard and validated.
鈥淚 trusted that my voice and heart were being taken at value, and they provided me with the resources I needed to make my dream become a reality, namely, transforming me into my current career as a certified child life specialist.鈥�
One professor that stood out of the crowd to D鈥橝quin would be Dr. Marks who taught Child and Family Studies courses. Not only did he instill the knowledge of how to be a respectable citizen in today鈥檚 world, but also, he taught how to raise our future children to be so as well, according to D鈥橝quin. She says that he took his message beyond the four walls of the classroom into future homes. D鈥橝quin can still recall specific ideologies he taught that she currently incorporates into all facets of life.
The 海角社区 Tradition
Since her father, mother, and two sisters all attended 海角社区 and relayed memories of their own journeys, attending 海角社区 was the obvious choice for D鈥橝quin. Growing up going to 海角社区 sporting events, she could not wait to make her own personal memories as an 海角社区 tiger. She even parlays this college experience into her professional life.
鈥淣ow being in Texas and hearing of all the different colleges my colleagues attended, I am still confident that 海角社区 was the only place for me.鈥�
D鈥橝quin鈥檚 favorite 海角社区 tradition is Homecoming Week. She can remember as a young child driving down sorority row before the big game admiring the decorations on each lawn. She never could understand how they created the colorful paper scenes and always wondered the process behind the finished product. When D鈥橝quin was a freshman, she was finally able to be fully engaged in the process and got to see what work went into it behind the scenes and the decades-old tradition of pomping came full circle.
鈥淣ow I love to see my patient鈥檚 eyes light up when they know it is craft time especially after a painful hospital experience. Seeing their final masterpiece reminds me of waking up early on homecoming day to see all of our effort come to life. I hope to share my love of the deeply-held tradition of homecoming with my own children one day."
An Ideal Career
Now working in Houston, Texas, as a Certified Child Life Specialist at Children鈥檚 Memorial Hermann Hospital, D鈥橝quin鈥檚 role is one who provides an extra layer of support by changing the intimidating hospital into a less threatening and more patient and family-centered environment. Merely because of the definition of her job, she is in constant communication with individuals, families, agencies, communities, and kept up to date on policies. Advocacy for patients and their families is her primary focus and allows D鈥橝quin to provide them the resources needed for their journey ahead.
鈥淚 always thought it was cheesy when everyone stated, 鈥楩orever 海角社区鈥� but I cannot emphasize it more. 海角社区 is not a four-year destination; it is a lifetime home that I know will always welcome me back when it is time to visit.鈥�