Carson Schwartz is majoring in Psychology and Spanish and is getting certificates in Health Policy and LGBTQ+ Studies.
- Why did you choose LGBTQ+ Studies?
I enrolled in GWS 200: Intro to LGBTQ+ Studies on a whim my freshman year at the same time as Psych 453: Human Sexuality. As I started getting into the content of the classes and interviewing for psychology labs, I realized the massive gaps that exist in research, mental health practice, and public policy regarding the queer community. I applied for and started working as an undergraduate research assistant in the Chadwick Lab, which furthered my experience with scientific research as well as social interactions of gender and sexuality, really solidifying my interest in LGBTQ+ Studies. - Has LGBTQ+ Studies changed your approach to your involvement (on or off campus) during college? If so, how?
My experiences in gender studies have really encouraged me to expand my approach to every aspect of my education. The focus on intersectionality and interdisciplinary research inspired me to start looking outside of the “grad school padding” opportunities to find experiences. GWS has shown that there are a variety of paths that aren’t necessarily the “correct” one and every learning experience is valuable even if it isn’t necessarily directly connected to my chosen direction. Even though I want to work directly with clients as a psychologist, I’ve started connecting with public health initiatives and groups that have helped me study how change in a group setting can have equally impactful effects on individuals. - How has LGBTQ+ Studies shaped your future plans?
LGBTQ+ Studies has really given my plans a specific direction. Working with the Chadwick Lab has provided tons of experience in research, which I plan to continue in a clinical psychology PhD program. The content of some of my classes has focused on the health disparities and research deficits affecting certain subgroups of the queer community; these facts have helped to shape my plans for several projects focusing on community programs to improve mental health outcomes for queer youth.