Stephany Bernadeau

My name is Stephany Bernadeau, I am a First-Generation Student who is now a senior at Salem State University majoring in psychology and minoring in Biology. Eventually, I want to be able to help others through therapy, focusing mostly on trauma. My career goals are impacted by my experience as a First Gen. student (both the good and the bad). As a First Gen, I experienced being part of groups on campus that lacked resources for First Gens and it made me feel really left out. So, I was glad to be a part of a program like STEP (Student Transition and Engagement Program) that focuses on helping First Gen students throughout their first year (which is the most crucial year for most of us). STEP helps First Gen students through peer mentoring and student coaching. I'm happy to have been a part of STEP as a first-year mentee and as a mentor for the past three years. My First Gen experience through STEP will always stay with me because through this program I was able to grow as a person and learn how to network, not only to help myself but also help others.