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Lena Woo

Lena Woo

Pacific Clinics-Asian Pacific Family Center

Rosemead, CA USA

"Keeping in mind that you have to keep challenging yourself and not being afraid of those challenges because you will learn the most about yourself in both achievements and failures."

Career Roadmap

Lena's work combines: Education, Non-Profit Organizations, and Helping People

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Day In The Life

Youth Drug and Alcohol Prevention Specialist

I mentor high school youth who are identified as at-risk from their counselors.

Skills & Education

Here's the path I took:

  • High School

    Corona High School

  • Bachelor's Degree

    Psychology, General

    California State University, Fullerton

  • Graduate Degree

    Social Work

    University of Southern California

Here's the path I recommend for someone who wants to be a Youth Drug and Alcohol Prevention Specialist:

Bachelor's Degree: Psychology, General

Graduate Degree: Social Work

Learn more about different paths to this career

Life & Career Milestones

I've taken a lot of twists and turns

  • 1.

    Attended Cal State Fullerton as a computer engineer major

  • 2.

    Did poorly in the fall semester

  • 3.

    Took a semester off from CSUF and attended community college to make up the units

  • 4.

    When I came back, I was introduced to a lot more psychology classes and chose psychology as a major

  • 5.

    Graduated at the time of the recession, so it was hard to find a job in the psychology field

  • 6.

    Worked at Santa Anna Unified School District as a T.A., tutoring center, and CVS

  • 7.

    Then landed a job at Asian Pacific Family Center as a Youth Prevention Specialist

Defining Moments

How I responded to discouragement

  • THE NOISE

    Messages from Family:

    Enroll in a UC instead of a Cal State university.

  • How I responded:

    I am proud to have attended college and glad to have attended a Cal State.

Experiences and challenges that shaped me

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  • I didn't know much about how to afford college, just knew college was a priority.

  • I've overcome this obstacle by knowing some Spanish and learning a bit.

  • Keeping in mind that you have to keep challenging yourself and not being afraid of those challenges because you will learn the most about yourself in both achievements and failures.