Portrait of Destinee Dunham

Destinee Dunham

Psychology & Neuroscience / Baltimore, MD

About

What made you decide to enroll at the University of Maryland?
I enrolled at the University of Maryland because I wanted to get into one of the best neuroscience and psychology programs in the state of Maryland. I also wanted to experience being in a diverse environment, and I figured I would have various opportunities to get involved. I love how my school is large because coming to college, I wanted to be able to grow, find new hobbies, and get involved in different clubs/organizations. Another reason I chose to attend UMD was to be involved in the Incentive Awards Program and Maryland Promise Program to help find myself and the potential I have.


What major/career path do you plan on pursuing and how did you select that path?
I plan to get involved in the mental health community, start non-profits, and establish rehabilitation centers for women. I would love to help people and make a change in my community. I selected this path because I lost many family members to mental health issues and would love to make a change in other families and the upcoming generations in my family. It hurts to lose your mom to mental health issues, and she felt like she had nobody to help her. I wish I could have made a change in her life. I've also had a passion for psychology since high school. Most people ask what I will do with my degree, but I feel like I can put my degree to good use.


Activities I do outside of class or community service/volunteer activities I'm involved with:
I volunteer to help in homeless drives and help serve free food to children in my community. I always look forward to giving back to my community and just being an extra helping hand for some people. Growing up has never been easy for me, and I know a lot of children in my situation. If I can start making changes at this age, I know I will make a more significant impact as I grow older. Outside the classroom, I volunteer to help children at summer camps and help students learn to read and do simple math problems. I've done tutoring for younger children as well. I love working with children and women in poverty.


Aside from academics, what else do you hope to take away from your time at Maryland?
Aside from academics, I plan to learn how to be a responsible and mature adult. I want to join different clubs and get involved with leadership opportunities. I love to learn more about myself and maneuver through the university. I also hope to take away some networking skills. You meet many people, and networking could be your opportunity to get involved in something life-changing. Time management skills are also essential skills to take away because they are vital and can help me long-term.


What are your future goals after graduation?
After graduation, I want to enroll in a master's program to get my degree in addiction counseling and obtain an internship at the National Institute of Health. I want to share my story of how I lost my mom and how it inspires me daily to be a better person. I want to start my transition home for women with addiction as soon as possible. In everything I decide to do, I want to make a significant impact on those around me. I want to help my community, but I'd also like to travel the world and make changes at a global level too.

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