Student Ambassador: Jody Kieval

Hello! My name is Jody, and I am a career changer. I graduated from Emory University with a degree in Psychology, Phi Beta Kappa and Summa Cum Laude, and then spent more than a decade in my first career in nonprofit strategic program development, leadership development, and community engagement. After some time at home raising my children, I wanted to return to my longtime passion for psychology. I hoped to be trained to work directly with individuals while continuing to contribute to community needs on a broader scale. But I wasn't ready to leap without knowing it was the right fit.

The Behavioral Health Service Corps (BHSC) was the perfect way for me to "try out" the field of behavioral health before fully committing. It gave me a year of hands-on work in the field alongside graduate-level coursework toward a Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, with mentorship from faculty and experienced clinicians along the way. I could test my interests in real settings, apply what I was learning right away, and make an informed decision about my career change. I am now enrolled in the MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program on the Health and Behavioral Medicine track.

I currently work with adults as an Intensive Case Manager at Eliot Community Human Services. I support clients in their homes and in the community, connecting them with resources while reinforcing coping skills alongside their therapists. I value working with underserved communities, and I love being able to apply what I learn in class, from trauma-informed practice to counseling skills, directly in my clinical work.

My experience at William James College has been one of constant connection between theory and practice. The faculty and professors have been generous with their time and expertise, and the material is engaging and relevant to my day-to-day work. I plan to become a licensed mental health counselor, working with adults in community settings and private practice, with a focus on trauma-informed care and the connection between physical and mental health.

As a career changer myself, I would be glad to connect with prospective students considering a similar path. Please reach out with any questions about the BHSC or my experience at William James College!