As an Argentine immigrant who spent time as an AmeriCorps volunteer helping youth in south Los Angeles, Mercedes Fernandez Oromendia has dedicated her research to helping multicultural individuals navigate between cultures and develop their multicultural identities through positive psychology. Mercedes just finished her first year as a doctoral student in the Counseling, Clinical, and School Psychology department in the Gevirtz Graduate School of Education. In her first year, Mercedes experienced many firsts (including an earthquake!). Read on to learn more about Mercedes’ experiences, research, goals, and firsts as a doctoral student.
Tell us a little about your research and how you came to choose the topic.
I am interested in positive psychology and its uses in helping multicultural individuals thrive. I struggle with the deficit model that psychology often uses, so I like the positive psychology idea that all individuals have strengths and we can build upon those strengths to improve functioning. I am also interested in developing culturally sensitive interventions for Latinos. As an Argentine immigrant, I have experienced what it is like to have one foot in each culture. There is still much research needed on multicultural identity development and how to help immigrant individuals and families thrive.
What has graduate student life been like for you?
As a first year, I have had many firsts. My first lab meeting, my first pseudo-client, my first TAship and my first earthquake! It feels like I am learning to juggle, and right when I have a handle on it, a new quarter starts and a new ball gets added. I have been fortunate to make great friendships in Santa Barbara that help me when I feel overwhelmed or just need some non-psych time!
What has been a source of motivation or drive for you in your graduate studies?
As an AmeriCorps member last year, I had the opportunity to serve in a middle school in South L.A. where most of my students were trying to navigate the strange place between two cultures. I have firsthand experience in the value of developing a multicultural identity, which inspires my work. When I need motivation, I envision my research helping kids and their families in similar situations.
Name an accomplishment you are most proud of and explain why.
I am proud of studying abroad in Brazil for eight months. I learned Portuguese, packed my bags, and went to Salvador da Bahia! I wanted the challenge of moving to a new country without my family’s comfort. I took classes in the local university and had the opportunity to see how psychology was taught there. I had the opportunity to explore a new city and culture and make lifelong friendships. In the process I learned much more about myself and about the commonalities between people.
Who is your hero (or heroes) and why?
I don’t really have a hero, but I greatly admire my mom’s godmother. She became a scientist when it was uncommon for women to work outside the home. She constantly challenges the norm and pushes boundaries. For example, she has painted her lips and toenails bright red for as long as I can remember, and for her 70th birthday, she went to Russia! Now that she is retired, she goes on jeep tours in Africa and travels any chance she has.
What do you do to relax? Any hobbies, collections, pastimes, favorite places to go, favorite things to do?
I am an extrovert, so I get energy from being with people. It does not matter if we are studying together, lying on the beach, or just talking while grocery shopping. This year, I have also learned about the power of baking! Graduate school does not provide much immediate gratification, so baking gives me the opportunity to quickly see the fruits of my labor. After an hour of baking, I get to eat a great cake. I also try to travel as often as I can. Since I cannot always go far, Los Angeles and short weekend trips have become my new thing.
What do you hope to be doing 5 or 10 years out of graduate school?
I would like to find a way to do it all! I love teaching, clinical work, and applied research. I hope I can find a way to integrate all three or that through my experiences here I will find out which one I really want to pursue. As far as clinical work, I would like to work with immigrant families and use strength-based approaches to help children navigate their bicultural identity.
Do you have any advice for current grad students?
As a first-year graduate student, all I can do is repeat what I have been told a hundred times: “self-care!” I am still trying to figure out how to do that and do everything that I want to do as a graduate student at UCSB. It’s a work in progress!