Testimonial

"I am very grateful for my journey into the Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Program at UConn. I came into college with a very broad, generalized idea of what I wanted to study. I knew I wanted to be in a client serving role and interact with others on a meaningful scale. I thought coming to UConn as a declared Psychology major would give me a substantial background for my potential career interests in these types of paths (ex: counselor, coach, therapist). I did feel like I had a strong framework and found success in my Psychology classes, but I still felt something was missing. I had a stronger desire to learn more about society and the inner workings of how people experience the world. I was encouraged by a friend to try an introductory WGSS course during my first year. To say it was a transformative experience and a perfect fit into what I was missing from my educational path is an understatement. I decided to quickly declare WGSS as a second major and excitedly looked at the course catalog for all the upcoming classes I could take throughout college. In my courses, I learned everything from the history of activism and social movements, read impactful and progressive literature, and questioned my own place in the world. My WGSS courses also helped my confidence outside of the classroom and I became more involved in volunteer work and activism both on and off campus. Now as I explore different career options and enter the professional world, I know that my background in WGSS will set me apart from others as I have learned to see and analyze the world differently. I always think of intentionally and authenticity in embracing all social identities (gender, race, religion, sexuality, etc.), which helps me better understand and offer services to a diverse range of communities. The WGSS program at UConn will forever mean more than its title: it means continuous growth towards seeing the world as a more equitable place, regardless of how you identify. To any potential student thinking of entering the WGSS program, even if it's one course, please try it out. I promise you will walk away forever changed in ways you never imagined. "