Part 13 of My Purpose Story

A counselor? I mean I love to talk, I literally never shut up, hence these long blog posts, but no, I had never considered being a counselor. The more I researched it, the more I fantasized about being one. I went from thinking about moving into therapy but narrowed it down to school counseling. The idea that I would be able to spend more time with my kids (Aleena was between one and two years old when I started considering this) really sealed the deal for me. 

So, what did I do? You guessed it! I jumped headfirst (as I had done with every other major decision in my life thus far) into this opportunity. I don’t know how to explain it, but it just felt right. I told Doofy that I was going to be a counselor, and like the amazing, supportive husband that he was, he said “let’s do it.” 

I submitted an application to the University of Arizona by January of 2013 to a master’s program for Counseling and Mental Health. It was the in The Department of Psychoeducational studies; “oh so fancy” I thought to myself. My GPA was great, and I had an incredible story to share on the writing portion of my application, that I was confident that all would go well. By March of that year, I received a phone call from one of the professors saying that I needed to be interviewed. This was odd to me. I guess I felt safe telling my story behind a computer screen, the thought of saying it out loud to a stranger was terrifying. 

“Do you think people can change?” the professor asked me during my interview for the program. I was taken aback. What did she mean? “Mike” my ex ran through my brain. Did I think he could change? Hell no! He was an abuser. I composed myself and tried to look at it from a different angle. “Yes, I think people can change” I replied. I shifted my perspective to the women who were victims of domestic violence that I had the privilege to work with and learn from. “I have seen women come into the office for their first appointment with the attorneys, looking broken, afraid and defeated, only to see them walk out after their case has been approved with their heads held high, and a smile that radiates the room.” “So yea” I continued “I think people can change.” She looked relieved. “Oh good” she said, “because as counselors we need to believe people can change.” I exhaled heavily. “Thank goodness” I thought to myself, maybe this interview would go well after all. 

I received a call about a month later that would change my life. “Congratulations Ms. Quintero, and welcome to the graduate school program at the University of Arizona. Tears immediately started flowing down my cheeks. I couldn’t believe this. I didn’t feel worthy of this honor. Someone, somewhere, was trusting ME to be someone’s counselor. The feeling I had that day was indescribable. 

By May of 2013 I received my Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology, and had an official letter welcoming me straight to grad school August of the same year. I was on top of the world! What could possibly top this, I thought to myself. And just as I was processing the idea of becoming a full-time employee, full time mother, full time wife, and a full time grad student; my husband and I made another life decision; we were going to start trying for baby number two. Aleena was already four years old and an only child up until this point, it only felt natural to give her a sibling. I mean my plate was overflowing, why not let it full spill over right? 

That summer we got pregnant after only 3 weeks of trying. I was in shock. The universe had a tight timeline for me, I guess. I walked up the steps to orientation for my grad program with a 6-week-old embryo in my uterus. “Let’s do this” I thought, there was no turning back now. 

Thank you for your patience with me as I took an extended vacation from writing this blog. As you know, I have a lot going on professionally right now, but I plan to blog consistently again. Thank you for following my journey and stay tuned for next week’s blog.