Cara is currently a staff member with Undergraduate Research and Enrichment Programs within the PHC. She has been a part of the UREP team and PHC family for 1 year and looks forward to many more to come. Cara graduated from Cheyney University with a BA in Sociology and from Temple University with a Master's in Higher Education and a certificate in Teaching for Higher Ed. Prior to coming to Drexel Cara worked as a social worker for vulnerable populations.
L's Taken
5+ "Thank you for applying but..."
- BA in theater
- University of the Arts
- PhD in Higher Education
- University of Pennsylvania
- Every job in higher education that I applied to between June 2018-March 2020
4 Things I swore I'd finish but never did…
- Bullet journaling for a month
- Re-reading my social statistics textbook
- Learning how to use Strata
- Unsubscribing from unnecessary promotional emails
6 Everyday L's of Life:
- Giving into sweets cravings
- Staying up too late
- Sleeping through my AM alarm
- Naps turning into full-blown sleeping
- Forgetting to meal prep
- Forgetting to take things out of the freezer for dinner
4 Failures that seemed like the end of the world back then but don't matter in hindsight:
- Not getting accepted into the first PhD program I applied to
- Withdrawing from a class that I was not doing well in
- Staying in an unhealthy relationship for too long
- Moving back in with my parents after having moved out
4 Regrets I have:
- Allowing someone to make me feel less than I am
- Not traveling enough pre-covid
- Not establishing good saving habits
- Letting my anxiety make me feel like I'm drowning
On the Bright Side
2 Memories I made when I wasn't studying/working
- Went to College Beach Week in VA beach
- Joined a sorority and made life long friends in the process
- Dancing
- Carpool karoke
4 Things I've learned that will still matter in 10 years
- How to be empathic and practice active listening
- Making time for self-care
- Maintaining healthy friendships/relationships
- Resilience in the face of failure
3 Books I've read for fun:
- Becoming by Michelle Obama
- Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? By Mindy Kaling
- All About Love by Bell Hooks
7 Things I'm proud of that you won't see on a resume
- Proud cat mom
- My newly found green thumb
- Good cooking skills
- Perpetually positive outlook on life
- Reliable friends
- Making my bed everyday
- Overcoming anxiety
4 Unconventional skills:
- Hanging TVs
- Building IKEA furniture in record time
- Eye for interior design
- Crafty
1 Quirks that make me who I am:
3 Obstacles I have overcome:
- Anxiety
- Fear of the unknown
- Graduate school
4 Things I've done that pushed me out of my comfort zone:
- Graduate school
- Moving out directly after undergrad
- Moving into the city
- Taking the car to the mechanic by myself
2 Leaps of faith:
- Moving into the city after growing up in the suburbs
- Applying to another graduate program after being rejected
3 Life events that have made me stronger:
- Ending an unhealthy relationship
- Moving back into my parents home
- COVID quarantining by myself