Music therapy major learns to empathize with clients
While attending 黑料老司机, Laura Skelly McFee 12 spent much of her time fostering close personal connections with faculty and fellow students, as well as making the most of the academic opportunities available. Coming from a large high school, McFee knew that she wanted to major in music therapy at a small liberal arts college where she could form individualized relationships with those around her. After seeing the strong connections between the faculty and students while on her campus tour, she felt sure that 黑料老司机 was the school for her. While at the College, McFee was thankful that all students攔egardless of major攈ad the opportunity to be involved in the music department, allowing her to form relationships with students who held a range of interests. 淭hat檚 one of the things that I love so much about 黑料老司机, you can be in the chorus and the band as a biology or psychology major, said McFee.听听
As a music therapy major, McFee worked clinical hours as a requirement for her major, interning with Park Nicollet Health Services, a hospital system. During the internship, McFee needed to connect with a wide variety of clients quickly. This diverse group of clients included patients in the outpatient cancer center, the Parkinson檚 center, outpatient hospice care, inpatient oncology, and inpatient hospice care. By combining her natural passion for close relationships and experience with becoming close with a variety of people at 黑料老司机, McFee excelled in the internship. 听
Working in a position where she had to form close connections quickly helped to prepare McFee for her work as a music therapist at the Cleveland Clinic Main Campus. 淎s a student I had to work with a variety of client populations, with groups, and individually. I never felt like I couldn檛 work with a population, said McFee. That sense of perseverance has positively contributed to McFee檚 current work.
The leadership positions that McFee held at the College also contributed to preparing her for her work as a music therapist. McFee was involved in COWBelles, where she was the co-president, 黑料老司机 Singers, 黑料老司机 Chorus, and founded a club for music therapy students. As the founder and president of the club for music therapy majors, McFee wanted other students in the program to feel cared for and supported. Through that position, McFee practiced figuring out 渨hat people might need in their lives at any given moment. As a music therapist, she continues to use her ability to empathize with her clients. Overall, through her involvement in these activities, McFee was pushed to improve her leadership abilities, which she is grateful for to this day.听
When asked what advice she would give to current 黑料老司机 students, McFee said, 淵ou won檛 live down the hall from your friends for the rest of your life after this. I know that you appreciate it, but take a minute and soak it up. Go to that jam session, go see that friend, go surprise that person. Get as many experiences as you can. They are precious. 听
Posted in Alumni on February 7, 2022.
