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Perry Chen

Perry Chen

Skyline College

Career Roadmap

Perry's work combines: Education, Non-Profit Organizations, and Working with Others

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Day In The Life

Full Time Personal Counselor

I provide individual therapy for students at Skyline and also provide workshops and presentations on mental health.

Skills & Education

Here's the path I took:

  • High School

    Oceana High School

  • Bachelor's Degree

    Human Development and Family Studies

    University of California, Davis

  • Graduate Degree

    Social Work

    Columbia University

Here's the path I recommend for someone who wants to be a Full Time Personal Counselor:

Bachelor's Degree: Human Development and Family Studies

Graduate Degree: Social Work

Learn more about different paths to this career

Life & Career Milestones

My path in life has been direct

  • 1.

    In terms of employment, I was able to get a job related to therapy right out of grad school.

  • 2.

    My job, for 5 years, allowed me to work with a wide variety of people.

  • 3.

    Moved to China to work in therapy.

  • 4.

    Moved back to California, working with children and families who faced childhood trauma.

  • 5.

    Was able to work with/under important figures in the field (5 years experience).

  • 6.

    Started working at Skyline.

Defining Moments

How I responded to discouragement

  • THE NOISE

    Messages from Parents:

    Yes and no.

  • How I responded:

    My parents were very atypical from the standard (at the time). My parents were quite progressive as they encouraged me to follow my passions first, citing "money will follow."

Experiences and challenges that shaped me

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  • I fear losing someone on my watch. I know it's an ongoing obstacle in my career that I can't really overcome, but I recognize it's not my fault.