My Goals
PROFESSIONAL GOALS
1.My first professional goal is to complete the requirements established by the Association of Child Life Professionals to become a Certified Child Life Specialist. Through the MS in Child Life Program at Texas Woman’s University, I have been able to fulfill the academic coursework requirements. My remaining steps include obtaining and completing a 600-hour child life internship, finalizing my eligibility assessment, and passing the certification exam.
2.My second professional goal is to obtain a position as a Certified Child Life Specialist. While I am open to pursing any opportunities within the Texas Medical Center, I primarily aspire to work at Texas Children’s Hospital. My personal experiences at Texas Children’s were crucial in shaping my desire to support pediatric patients and families. Thus, it is my hope to be able to return in a professional capacity
3.My final professional goal is to seek opportunities to continue professional growth after certification. This may include attending conferences, workshops, and seminars, presenting, and supervising interns. Through these activities, I aim to strengthen my knowledge and skills, as well as earn the professional development units necessary for recertification.
ACADEMIC GOALS
1.My first academic goal is to obtain my Master of Science in Child Life from Texas Woman’s University. I anticipate that I will complete all remaining coursework requirements and graduate in December 2026.
2.Though I do not currently plan on furthering my formal education after graduation, my second academic goal is to complete continuing education courses and trainings available through Wonders and Worries. My hope is that these experiences will help grow my knowledge and expand my skills related to supporting children of adult patients.
3. My final academic goal is to maintain and expand my current knowledge base in child life, development and theory. I plan to do this by revisiting previous course texts and materials. Additionally, I plan to seek out updated books, articles and resources that reflect emerging information related to my future work as a Certified Child Life Specialist.
RESEARCH GOALS
1.My first goal is to contribute to existing research on the value of child life from an organizational standpoint. For instance, I would like to demonstrate how child life services benefit hospital operations by increasing patient and family satisfaction measures and reducing costs. My hope is that I will be able to use this research to advocate for increased staffing and funding for my future child life team.
2.My second research goal is to compile existing research on the psychosocial impact of child life interventions and the lack of understanding of the role of child life among healthcare providers. I then plan to create a presentation for nurses and other hospital leadership with the intent of increasing awareness and utilization of child life services.
3.My third research goal is to develop and publish a study examining the impact of developmentally appropriate illness conversations on children’s confidence, self-advocacy, and decisions about discussing their illness with others.