Drea was employed at the Office of Civic Engagement as an America Reads and Viking Corps student worker from September 2017 – May 2019. She graduated in May 2021 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and minors in Sociology and Business.

What do you feel you gained by working for the America Reads and Viking Corps programs? 
It was a great introduction to working and connecting with people from different backgrounds, and a good stepping stone to working with the community. It was fun and a huge learning experience. I gained a lot of insight on different economic situations, personalities, and mentalities. It helped me understand the importance of not judging people. This experience expanded my soft skills, such as communication, listening, and customer service. I learned to be kind, patient, and to always keep an open mind. Many of the kids I worked with came from low income households and household with difficult living conditions, so it was humbling to create a safe haven for them. 

Where are you now? 
I recently finished my 8 week job at the Wolstein Center Vaccination Clinic. I plan to take a gap year before attending graduate school in Marriage and Family Therapy.