Student Spotlight Ian Finegan

Quite honestly, the WVU College of Applied Human Sciences drew me in. I was once that 17-year-old kid who had no clue where I wanted to go to college. I had never even been to the state of West Virginia until I applied to WVU. That said, when I was researching schools that I think would be good short-term and long-term, I stumbled across WVU. And I love everything that comes along with it. There is a great community of people here, and I would say it is a good distance from home – it is not too close but not too far.

I had a lot of talks with my academic advisors over the years. At first, I was thinking about doing one and not the other, and then I did one as a major and one as a minor. But then, in a meeting in 2024, we realized that I could graduate with two majors and not only graduate on time, but a semester early, which I had already planned to do. And with my interest in both subjects, there was no reason for me not to.

There are a lot of similar principles within the two majors. While they are both part of the College of Applied Human Sciences, I am still always surprised with how much I learn similar things from both types of classes. Both majors have given me a better understanding of psychology and identity. People in either, or both, majors have similar long-term goals in mind, and that is to help others be the best version of themselves in one way or another.

I am planning on staying here for graduate school for clinical mental health counseling, and I am considering pursuing a doctorate in sport, exercise, and performance psychology. There are a lot of different outcomes, settings, and demographics of people that you can work with with this foundation. For example, I can work in settings such as schools, hospitals, and clinics. Or, I can work with people with many different experiences, such as trauma, addiction, family issues, and others. I don't have a specific long-term goal, but I am planning on working in early intervention.

I feel like this experience will help me figure out what I want to do, specifically in the long-term. For my capstone, I am planning on working in behavioral health and counseling, as well as addiction and recovery. What I really want to learn is how to respond to what the client needs and how I can be a good person for them to talk to, even if I do not personally relate to what they are saying. This is good professional experience, and I want to learn how to be a good professional.

During my time here, I started holding myself more accountable. I have grown physically in the gym, but I have matured personally as well. I have become the most social version of myself so far and have done things I never thought I would do. I have also learned when to be fun and relaxed, and when to be more professional. I must say, though, that I try to be both at the same time and make myself as approachable as possible. I have developed more of the traits I need to succeed in my field.

The best part of being a Mountaineer is the community and what brings people together. It’s emphasizing certain words in songs at games, striking up a conversation back home with someone proudly wearing the flying WV logo, and, most of all, sharing the experience with amazing peers at West Virginia University.