From passion to profession UNF senior finds her life’s work

As the youngest of three children with a considerable age difference between them, Michele Thomas didn't grow up around kids close to her age. So being around children in her grandmother's Sunday School class made her feel like a "big sister."

It was from that experience that her desire to major in psychology and work in behavioral health with children was formed.

"I was never around kids who were younger than me, and it was one of the first times I encountered kids on the spectrum who needed extra help when it came to learning or social interactions," said Thomas. "It sparked a desire in me to understand the diverse ways children learn and communicate and to help make an impact in their lives and their families. It felt like I became their big sister in a way."

The 23-year-old Jacksonville native will graduate this semester with a bachelor's degree in psychology. Her time at UNF helped her learn more about psychology and students.

Thomas is passionate about working with children. Enrolled in Hicks Honors College, she was introduced to the Environmental Leadership Program (ELP) last fall and was encouraged to apply. The two-semester scholarship program only accepts 30 students from various disciplines each fall. Students are assigned to work with a community leader on a project related to the environment.

Thrilled to be assigned to work with the Girls Scouts Gateway Council, Thomas created lesson plans and activities for different age groups to be used during Earth Day this past April.

"This project was so satisfying and such a great experience working with different age groups of kids," Thomas said. "This past Earth Day, about 15 Girl Scouts came to UNF and we all worked on the lesson plans together. They earned a badge, and I did too!"

Thomas said the positive experience she had with ELP gave her a better appreciation for the environment, and while she has little time for extracurricular activities, she has joined forces with the environment-centric sorority Kappa Alpha Omicron (KAO).

"Being part of KAO has connected me with like-minded individuals who share the same passion for sustainability of our environment as I do," said Thomas. "It has been a fulfilling experience."

Balancing act

Balancing classes, work and projects is a common challenge for many college students, and effective time management is crucial.

Thomas has learned to manage her time well.

In addition to being a full-time student, Thomas works both a full-time and a part-time job. She said she relies on her support system of family, friends and advisors and being willing to adapt to unexpected challenges is key.

A transfer student from Florida State College at Jacksonville, where she earned her associate in arts degree, Thomas said having the right mindset and not being afraid of tackling challenges is what drives her to stay motivated and grounded as a busy student at UNF.

"I have a great support system and a proactive mindset," said Thomas. "I don't dwell on problems; I just shift my focus on finding solutions."

While Thomas is passionate about psychology and behavioral health, she's quick to say she's just as passionate about her programming courses. She's even discovered beneficial similarities from both disciplines such as collecting and analyzing data and sharpening her problem-solving skills.

"I love a challenge, and I certainly get a fair share of it from my programming class," Thomas said. "It's exciting to dig deeper to find new ways to answer problems, but it requires discipline. I've learned to prioritize and master better study habits from this class. It is humbling in a good way."

Associate Instructor in the School of Computing, Larry Snedden, teaches the programming class at UNF and says Thomas is one of his students who is actively engaged in class.

"It is very easy to observe which students are more mature and properly prepared for university courses in this early computing course, and Michele's maturity is revealed in how she prepares for class and completes the learning objectives," Snedden continued.

Thomas said another favorite class was the Lifespan and Development course she took online over the summer with Dr. Charles Fitzsimmons.

Thomas said learning about the different stages of life from birth to death and understanding the psychosocial changes that occurs in a person's life was fascinating.

"This course fits in with my career goal of being a behavioral therapist because it covers how we all grow and change throughout our lives," said Thomas. "From how the environment and relationships shape who we are to a better understanding of the challenges kids face at different ages. Overall, it helped reinforce my passion for helping children and their families."

Empowered to graduate

Balancing a busy college and work life isn't easy. She said her professors and advisors were attentive and responsive, and she also sought additional help from peer tutors.

"Peer tutoring was a great help and a resource I took advantage of many times," said Thomas. "It bolstered my confidence and commitment to academic excellence."

While Thomas is excited to be graduating in December and proud of her accomplishments, she's not leaving the UNF community just yet. She will be returning in the spring to continue her education with a master's degree in cybersecurity.

"I've always been a person who always wanted to know and explore more," explained Thomas. "While a psychology degree is very different from a masters in cybersecurity, I am interested in learning how these two can correlate and fascinated to learn how technology intersects with human behavior and how we can protect digital spaces from threats. Continuing my education feels like the natural next step in my journey, and I'm excited about pursuing a career in both fields."

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