Practicing Best Practices!

I enjoyed reading about this students experience:

Brenda Daitch's face is a familiar one on the CSUN campus. Starting as a graduate student and peer mentor in the Center on Disabilities, Brenda obtained an entry level professional position in the Workability IV program when she graduated. Brenda recently accepted a position as a counselor for the Department of Rehabilitation but before leaving chronicled her "journey to success." Congratulations to Brenda for her recent promotion and for achieving her goal of making a difference in the community.

Dream...

When I arrived at CSU Northridge in the fall of 2001, my dreams were too numerous to count. I had just moved across country to fulfill my dream of living in Los Angeles and was excited to begin my adult life. Empowered by my move to L.A, I set my dreams as big as I could possibly set them.

Most of all, I wanted to make a difference in the Disabled Community and was confident that obtaining a Master's of Science degree in Counseling from the Educational Psychology & Counseling department would be the perfect first step to realizing this dream.

I must also admit that, from day one, becoming a Counselor at the Center on Disabilities was high on my "To-Do" list.

Grow...

Growth is rarely one-dimensional. I experienced interpersonal, professional, and emotional growth while at CSUN.

As an intern in various offices on campus, I quickly learned what was expected of me as a professional in Student Affairs. Working alongside other professionals, I was able to discover what I wanted from my career and how I wanted to arrive at my chosen goal. This path was not easy, but I knew I had the unrelenting support of my fellow graduate school cohort members and formed friendships with them that are unlike any of the friendships I have ever had.

While my interpersonal and professional growth was meaningful, my emotional growth blossomed during my years as a student here. With the help of faculty and staff, I feel that I was able to develop into a person that can handle almost anything with grace and dignity.

Achieve...

As a Resource Specialist and Counselor at the Center on Disabilities, I feel lucky to work with students to assist them in discovering how they can develop and achieve their own dreams. However, my work with the Disabled Community does not stop here. In an effort to promote the awareness of issues that the Disabled Community faces, I deliver presentations to student leadership groups and have become involved in state and local politics to advance the rights and social standing of people with disabilities.

Looking back at what I have achieved during my years as a student at CSUN and since graduation in 2004, I truly feel accomplished and excited by what the future holds.

"The Center on Disabilities is committed to the vision of an inclusive society in which persons of all abilities have the chance to achieve their goals and experience success. Through the provision of excellent training and research, we nurture learning and innovation to improve the world for people with disabilities.

We invite you to visit our web site regularly for information and updates on the activities at the Center on Disabilities including our Training Programs (ATACP).

For services for students with disabilities, please visit the Disability Resources & Educational Services site."

http://www.csun.edu/cod/index.php