Volunteer work helps psychology student expand interest in mental health

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Getting involved through volunteering is a great way for Penn State students to give back to their community, but it also is an advantageous way to explore academic interests and future career goals.

This is precisely what Liberal Arts student Cindy Choe has done. Choe, a fourth-year student from Lansdale, Pennsylvania, majoring in psychology with a minor in Korean, aspires to attend medical school after graduation before pursuing a career in the mental health field.

“I came in undecided, but I always knew I wanted to do something in the liberal arts,” Choe said. “I loved research-based work and empirical data, so I decided to choose psychology and the neuroscience option.”

When she began her Penn State career, Choe was looking for ways to get involved. She said it was initially difficult to find a community of students who shared similar interests or hobbies, but it was during this search she discovered Centre Helps.

Centre Helps provides support for Centre County residents through a 24-hour helpline, basic needs case management, and a youthful offenders program. The organization provides services assisting with mental health and extends its services to Centre Safe, Alcoholics Anonymous, and the State College Food Bank. Additionally, Centre Helps has case managers who work with residents to provide counseling, financial resources, transportation and numerous other resources.

“I began volunteering with them my first year,” Choe said. “I had utilized services like this before, so I found it very meaningful to give back in the same way.”

While Centre Helps is independent of Penn State, many University students volunteer with the organization. Centre Helps also extends its services to the Penn State community through the Centre Helps Club, an organization that provides education and awareness on mental health resources, suicide prevention, and crisis intervention training.

“Living in a college town, it is easy to get disconnected from people living in Centre County that aren't University-oriented,” Choe said. “I’m grateful that I have the ability and emotional space to help other people who may not have access to the resources that Penn State provides.”

In addition to working with Centre Helps, Choe serves as president of the Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) Caucus, which advocates for and promotes diversity by giving a collective and unified voice to the APIDA community at Penn State.

Choe credits her Penn State experience for allowing her to pursue these ambitions. Her involvement and volunteer work have allowed her to grow professionally and as a person, as well as connect with individuals who have shaped her college experience.

“I wanted to come to Penn State because it is a large school, but it was definitely difficult adjusting,” Choe said. “It became very nice because I was not tied down, and I experienced a lot of freedom in choosing what I wanted to do. Volunteering at Centre Helps and working with the APIDA allowed me to work with similar people who have similar interests as me. Both of my roommates I actually met volunteering.”

Choe’s work has allowed her to learn more about herself and her aspirations for the future. She said she has been able to explore future career paths through her studies and the volunteer work.

“I have been at Centre Helps for four years, so I have gained a lot of communication skills,” Choe said. “I feel like I have become healthier, more grounded and aware of the people in my community. I hope to work with a similar organization in the future and incorporate mental health into my future career.”

Above all, Choe hopes that her Penn State experience has allowed others to have a positive college experience in turn and that her work and services have had an impact on other students, allowing them to go through their time more positively at Penn State.

“I work with a lot of different groups within the University, and my biggest goal is to connect with these individuals and create a welcoming and close environment,” Choe said. “I just want to put other individuals first and help them have a good Penn State experience.”