Student Spotlight Jess Phillips

I chose WVU because it instantly felt like home, and everyone was welcoming from the start. I liked the atmosphere, and WVU had a lot to offer, including the wide range of activities on campus, wildlife, and hiking. When deciding to switch my major to Mental Health and Addiction Studies, I spoke to an advisor at that time about the program and what I could do with it. After a day of reaching out, this person took the time to talk to me and listened to all of my concerns as I was struggling in my classes with my previous major. I was anxious about switching my major, but this person took the time to go into detail about the program and what the classes consist of. After this meeting, I knew it was the right major for me and felt very supported. I knew I wanted to help people in the future in some way and was excited to get started. I have always wanted to work with people, and this program showed that there is importance going into a helping profession, along with many other important qualities.

This program has prepared me in many ways, from learning my interests through different classes and having hands-on experiences. I have learned and practiced class methods and had real-world experience through my internship. This program has prepared me for future challenges I could face and how to handle them. It has also prepared me for different avenues I can go and made me more confident for my future career.

Throughout my time at WVU, I have had some challenges, such as mental health and feeling homesick. My family had a few health problems throughout the years, and that was very difficult for me at times. I communicated with my professors about my concerns and the situation, and they were all very understanding and willing to help me regarding my academics and mental health. It was nice knowing that the professors in this program did care about their students. Getting involved in activities at WVU helped a lot during this time. Although I had some difficulties, I got through it with the support of my friends, peers, and professors.

This program allowed me to learn about all of the techniques, along with the importance, of mental health and addiction studies. The faculty and students in this program are what makes it special. Throughout my program, I have had support from peers and professors and have engaged in daily discussions, which have positively impacted my learning. I have been with most of the same students from the beginning of the program to the end. This was beneficial because as I got to know my peers, it became easier to talk about real-life problems and discussions in the classroom. I have connected theories and class terms with my classmates and how they relate to the real world. Even with some of my online classes, there was a high level of engagement, and I got to communicate with my professors. All of the professors care and want to help their students, which is something I never experienced before I went into this program. I am very grateful I chose this program because I believe it is special with the engagement from peers, faculty, and professors. 

A piece of advice I would give my younger self is that it is ok to reach out and ask for help. Before college, I never wanted to ask for school support and wanted to do everything on my own. I thought that if someone helped me that I wasn't smart. This is not true at all. Now, I try to ask questions as much as I can. This is how I have learned the material and did well in my classes. This is how I got to know my professors. If something is going on but no one knows, they can’t support or help you. This is something that took me a long time to realize, and I am glad that I learned this throughout the years.

I will be working at a preschool as an assistant teacher, along with working as a substitute in early education. I am going to work for a while and then go back to get my master’s degree in either early education or counseling. Throughout my program, I learned that I enjoy working with adolescents and children, and I am going to explore more of these interests before I decide on a master’s program. I am very excited to start my next journey.

The best thing about being a Mountaineer is the sense of community. This is a big school, but it has a small school feel and a sense of comfort. I still meet new people and learn new things every time I go out in Morgantown. Everyone is welcoming here, and there is a sense of belonging. My favorite part about WVU would be being a part of a Division I school. I love going to basketball games and singing "Country Roads" when we win.