TRINITYADVANCE
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Sam Smith Service to others can change lives forever
Photo by Heather Bravine
Student Profile
Written by Annemarie Russell, Director of Communications
Senior Sam Smith, a psychology major who will graduate this spring, has taken full advantage of the opportunities Trinity has provided him during his four years as a student. Smith has already received an offer of admission to George Fox University’s APA-accredited Doctor of Psychology program, and he’s still waiting to hear back about applications to five other Psy.D. and master of Social Work programs. Here Smith shares about his experiences as a student at Trinity as he anticipates a new season of life in his near future. What is your career goal? To provide psychotherapeutic services to groups and individuals. I am particularly interested in working with racial and ethnic minorities considered to be marginalized in American society. After graduate school, I hope to use my expertise to serve Pierce County, specifically in the Lakewood and Tacoma areas. Aside from being a practicing psychologist, I desire to contribute my time to youth development programs and initiatives throughout western Washington. What have you liked most about Trinity? The attention and encouragement I have received from my faculty advisor. I strongly believe if it were not for Betsi Little and the psychology department at Trinity, I wouldn’t have been intellectually challenged and may not have had the courage or determination to apply for graduate programs. How have you changed since being at Trinity? Trinity opened my eyes to what God has in store for my future. My experiences here helped direct me to my vocation: human
services. There is no greater joy for me than serving others. Trinity helped show me that while achieving career goals are important, service to others can change lives forever. That is what really matters. Why did you consider leaving after your freshman year? What brought you back to the college? I left Trinity because the social work program was postponed. I saw the major as essential to my future, though at the core of that decision, I was being selfish. The situation was something that I had no control over but I thought it would dramatically affect my future. In an attempt to feel like I was in control, I left Trinity. But from the moment I decided to leave, I felt Christ calling me back. God had something else planned for me. The decision to come back to Trinity may have changed my life forever. The experience taught me two very important lessons: there is no such thing as total control, and no matter how much I think I know about life, there is always more knowledge and wisdom to be gained; learning must be forever. What hats have you worn while at Trinity? Resident Assistant, Writing Tutor, Psychology Department Teaching Assistant and Guest Lecturer in Psychology 101 classes. What’s your advice for a prospective student? Life is a balance. But once you decide to attend college, make a commitment to your education. Do you feel that Trinity prepared you for graduate school? I do. I know I can do all things as long as I keep the faith. Graduate school will be a rigorous challenge. But be assured, I am a determined and resilient individual. I would not be here if I wasn’t ready.