When I started at UNB I wanted to be a teacher, maybe a lawyer, even an English professor, but I never thought I would fall into a degree in psychology. It was only after my 2nd semester introductory psychology course that the thought even became a possibility. After meeting with my professor, she told me that the most important thing was to get into a research lab early and volunteer as much as you can. She put me in touch with this lab and I began, at the start of my second year, my work as a volunteer research assistant.
          I was nervous. The idea of research of any kind seemed daunting, but Lyndsay was welcoming and understood that most volunteers come in with little to no experience in psychology at all. They (Lyndsay, Kirsten, and Diane) spent the time working with me and the other volunteers, allowing us to work on the projects that peaked our interest the most, and were willing to work one-on-one with us as long as it took for us to grasp certain concepts. That’s how I, as well as a number of other volunteers, found ourselves working on coding data for a very large study looking at the potential benefits and drawbacks of Facebook support groups.
          I began working on my own smaller project within this big project around Christmas of 2nd year. After a year and a half of coding and analyzing, my poster submission was accepted for the Canadian Pain Society conference in Halifax. Soon after, I received an email asking me to present my findings in a 10-minute presentation during the Hot Topic sessions. This obviously was a huge opportunity, so after some thought I accepted. While the entire processes did come with some anxiety, Lyndsay and Diane were so great about helping me get everything together down to the last moment. Even the night before, Lyndsay and Kirsten let me run through my presentation multiple times, rewording and refining it until it was the best it could be.
          Presenting at a conference as an undergrad, especially among so many professionals with doctorates was terrifying. Nevertheless, with the help and constant support of the lab, the whole situation instead became exciting. Once I started talking, I realized I knew this project and it quickly turned into one of the best experiences of my life. Being able to share something that had real life implications to a group of people who could appreciate my findings, for me, solidified a love of research. Just being at the conference, surrounded by academics and doctors and researchers would have been enough. Having the opportunity to present my research alongside theirs was above and beyond what I could have asked for.
          If I could go back to my 1st year self and tell her that, in only 3rd year, I would be this far along in my research career she would call me crazy. Without the help and support of Lyndsay, Kirsten, and Diane, I would be no where near where I am today.

Samantha will begin her Honours thesis with Dr. LaChapelle in June, 2017.