Final Reflections: The Class of 2018

First get together at Mellon Park.

As the class of 2018 prepares to walk across the stage, they reflect upon the past two years of classes, clinicals, program activities, and time spent with friends. We know our graduates have the skills to make an impact on the genetic counseling world and wish them all the best as they set out as bona fide genetic counselors.

My time in the Pitt program has been one of the most transformative experiences of my life. I have learned so much and am excited to use these teachings as a foundation for continued growth throughout my career as a genetic counselor. The love, support, and laughs from my friends has, of course, been the best part of all. I am so thankful for everyone that helped Pittsburgh grow from a place where I went to school into another home. -- Emily Spoth

Celebrating the Fourth of July!

It feels simply surreal to be graduating. My goal for many years has been to become a genetic counselor, and now I am mere steps (and a large board exam) away from officially achieving that goal! It didn’t hit me until the conclusion of my last genetic counseling class that I am approaching the finish line. It still doesn’t feel real. I am incredibly excited for both myself and all my spectacular classmates who I’ve shared these last two years with. It pains me to see everyone going their separate ways, but I know all of us will have a positive impact wherever we go, and I am eager to hear about everyone’s new adventures in their new positions. I am immensely thankful for my time in the program, and I look forward to starting this new life chapter. -- Julia Stone

I am so excited to start my professional career as a genetic counselor. It was a long journey to get to this point, but I feel prepared to enter the workforce with the rigorous training I’ve had at Pitt. -- Emily Mazzei

#Selfies at NSGC!

Even though I have been in Pittsburgh for six years now, I have explored the city the most in these last two years through clinical rotations and adventures with my classmates! I have also grown the most as a person and professional in these years, again with the help of my classmates as well as the wonderful instructors and opportunities provided by the Pitt program. Despite being slightly nervous for my next steps as a full-fledged genetic counselor, I know I have been well trained and will always have my Pitt family to support me! -- Julia Verbiar

As graduation swiftly approaches, I can hardly believe that it’s been 2 years. I’ve known that I wanted to be a genetic counselor since high school and prodigiously researched genetic counseling programs, course curriculums, student bios and genetics publications for years in anticipation. However, none of this prepared me for the amount of personal and professional growth that I’ve experienced since becoming a part of the Pitt Genetic Counseling Program. I’m both exhilarated and sad to venture out into the “real world” bursting with all of the knowledge, experience, and support my incredible classmates, teachers, and advisors have provided. Hail to Pitt! -- Joya Petersen

An impromptu lunch at Prince of India during restaurant week.

Right now I find myself standing with one foot firmly planted in graduate school and one foot toeing its way out of the door into the “real” world. It is both a terrifying and exhilarating feeling. I can still remember the same electric feeling, sitting in my dorm room six years ago and deciding that I would rather pursue a career in biology and genetics than in journalism. The fear that it could be the wrong choice or the perfect choice swimming around my head as I enrolled in chemistry two weeks after the semester had begun. I am so thankful to have had these past two years within Pitt’s genetic counseling training program. While the journey was certainly a bumpy one, every success - and every failure - has shown me that genetic counseling is the right career path for me. I have learned so much from Robin and Andrea, and the rest of the Human Genetics department. In clinic, I have watched understanding fill someone’s eyes when I explain a particular condition or that they do not need BRCA testing. And I have spent what feels like too little time making memories with my wonderful classmates. I know Pitt has prepared me to become a great genetic counselor, and I think I’m ready to take the final step out of the door. -- Meg Hager

Axe throwing champs!

I am so grateful for the wonderful education and clinical experiences that I received at Pitt. I feel very confident entering into the workforce, and I owe it to all of the exceptional mentors that I have had over the last two years. -- Jackie Amurgis

The moment that I have envisioned since I was in high school is almost here, officially being a genetic counselor! My time at Pitt has prepared me beyond what I could ever have imagined. It is definitely a bittersweet time saying goodbye to my classmates, Robin and Andrea, our rotation supervisors, the city of Pittsburgh, and so much more. I am looking forward to reunions with my classmates and visits back to Pittsburgh! -- Claire Leifeste

-- The Class of 2018