Name: Halim Kaygisiz
Place of birth: Queens, New York
Current residence: Long Island, New York
Occupation: Outreach Coordinator, Healthy Homes Program
What do you hope to gain by obtaining your psychology degree / future plans: I would like to use my degree to work with the under-served and often times neglected members of the local community. In the future, there is the hope to take the degree further by pursuing my Master’s Degree in Social Work with a clinical licensure. This would permit me to work with my target group of ex-offenders helping them with the return to society.
Favorite classes so far and why: PSYC 2001 (Cross Cultural Psychology). Not necessarily because of what I learned, but by learning how much more I am capable of doing if I push myself a little more. I also really like PHIL2001 – Ethics – Conversations would go on and on in the discussion forum about controversial topics. This class taught me how to really communicate effectively in an online environment. The instructor truly made the classroom feel like a brick and mortar classroom. CRJS4102 – The Criminal Mind – This course brought together psychological concepts and applied them to another science, criminology. The course material was some of the best I have ever read.
Biggest hobbies / passions: I love to travel, especially driving. The ability to just jump in the car and go somewhere is the epitome of the meaning of freedom. I also like to pursue educational opportunities. This summer, I am taking a certificate program in non-profit management just for fun.
What advice would you give to another student in the program? Never underestimate yourself. Push yourself to complete the program once you start it. I love what Henry Ford said and use it as a mantra, “Whether you think you can or you can’t…you’re right”.