By Sophia Harris Editor-in-Chief By Bella Grimaldi Staff Writer What is your academic and professional background? I graduated from Framingham State in 2015. I got my bachelor's degree in psychology and minored in neuroscience. I was looking for a job out of college, and I had worked at CASA while I was in my undergrad as an ASPT [academic strategy peer tutor]. They had an opening for a contract position, so I applied, got the job, and was working here part-time for a handful of years. I just started full-time last year. This is my second year full-time working in CASA, and my second year as an assistant coach on the field hockey team. What is one aspect of your job that is unique? I think that it's pretty multifaceted. I coordinate Starfish, but also work in CASA. I get to do a bunch of different things. I can start off my morning answering emails, but then I can be problem-solving some things in the system, and then by the end of the afternoon, I could be working one-on-one with students. I think that's a pretty unique factor of it. What is something that students would not know or expect about you? I suppose it would be that I do woodworking on the weekends. It's not your typical hobby - not always the easiest one to get into, either, but it's something I've been doing for a few years now, and I love it. I've recently done a few nightstands. Right now, I'm working on a bunch of pens. You can make pens on the lathe. So that's been a big project I've been doing, working on Christmas gifts right now. What are some of your hobbies? And what do you like to do in your free time? Woodworking is a big one. I'm also a huge nerd, so I like all of those traditional hobbies, like gaming and video games. I also really enjoy sports. I've been following the WNBA, the PWHL, a lot of women's sports, and sports of all kinds. What is one unique program offered by CASA? We've got a lot of programs. I don't know if there are any that are specifically unique, but I think the cool thing is, there's a little bit for everyone in CASA. A lot of our services are meant for anybody and everybody. Despite the fact that we're traditionally looked at as the place to go when you need help, really, you can come to CASA anytime - for anything, for questions that you have. We really try to make our space super welcoming. What advice would you offer to students at Framingham State? I think academically, my advice would be pretty short and sweet - go to class. It's the baseline to where academic success can start. And if you're not going to class, it's very hard to help you outside of that. So that's your first step there. Outside of academics, I think my advice would be to find something that you really love doing, either through clubs on campus or sports, but just to explore things while you're here and find something that you really enjoy. It doesn't have to be academic. In fact, probably better if it's not.
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