Hello! My name is Kaycie Hernandez and I am a sophomore at Baruch. I’m majoring in psychology and minoring in sociology and law. I definitely want to work with children in the future, whether that be as a child psychologist or as a social worker. Growing up in a difficult household, I was often surrounded by social workers who always made me feel safe and heard. I was able to experience first hand the huge impact that they can have on the physical and mental wellbeing of children with difficult home lives. I hope to someday be that place of comfort for other kids. On the weekends, I volunteer at my church teaching religious classes for first and second graders. Even though I don’t get paid, I completely love teaching them, listening to their millions of questions, and seeing their faces light up every time they hear something new. One major part of my identity is my Catholic faith and relationship with God. Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to go on multiple pilgrimages with my church, the largest ones being Italy in 2017 and Jerusalem this past summer. Both were unforgettable experiences which brought me closer to my faith.
The Road of Lost Innocence is a memoir by Somaly Mam, a survivor of sex trafficing in South Asia. This memoir was the most impactful and astonishing text I have ever read. The tragedy of child sex crimes is portrayed through the eyes of someone who lived in this system her entire life. At the age of 12, Somaly was sold by her grandfather into sexual slavery, to cover his gambling debts. Over the years, she along with other girls from the age of 5, were trafficked to international brothels. Her experience of sexual, physical, and mental abuse would scar her forever. But despite the devastation of her experiences, what truly defines this memoir is the reality that she not only had the strength to escape this life, but is now helping other girls escape this life of forced prostitution. Reading this memoir, I was able to learn about the unimaginable fear and violence with which these girls live. Somaly was able to rise above the evil of her environment and become a light for so many of these true victims.
Hi Kaycie!
I find it very interesting how invested you are with psychology and that entire genre. Its a very interesting topic and one thing I can relate to you about would honestly be my interest in psychology as well. Psychology is such a mindful major that you can literally do anything with it. I 100% agree with what you say about growing up in a difficult household because part of the reason as to why I was so invested into psychology was because of my needs when I was a kid growing up in a very strict house, it made me very interested in wanting to help others that were/are in similar situations as me because I just know what they are going through and I feel like thats exactly why me and you both connect with psych because of what we faced, which I honestly find very interesting!!
Hi Kaycie, the way you speak of teaching the children at your church and how much you enjoy doing so is really sweet. You seem really devoted to your goals and I can already see how great of a child psychologist or social worker you’d be. Thank you for sharing!