Nick W. is an easy-going, and determined, individual with goals to accomplish. He is currently working part time and enrolled as a student at the University at Buffalo. His job at Pearson Professional Centers allows him the time to study and explore his other intellectual pursuits. It is a good fit for him, in that it meets his current needs, yet gives him the opportunity to maintain his designs on a future in the field of psychology. He is a man with a plan.
Nick has a diagnosed learning disability. As a result, he has difficulty paying attention and trouble focusing. In the past he has dealt with some anxiety issues, as well. After completing his undergraduate degree at UB, Nick was introduced to ACCES-VR's services through his sister whom ACCES had also helped. ACCES put him in touch with Andrea Todaro. They began working together in April of 2021. Their job search took about four months and Nick began working for Pearson in August.
Nick enjoyed working with Andrea. "She helped keep me focused and feel confident." She helped motivate him and get him out of his shell. With Andrea's assistance, Nick applied to somewhere between ten and twenty different positions and interviewed at three or four of those, including one position at Cazenovia Recovery as a counselor. He was about to accept a different position, before he discovered the job at Pearson that better fit his needs. The interview coaching proved to be a great benefit to Nick. "The practice questions made me think more deeply about what my answers could be."
At his current job Nick is a test administrator and proctor for professional and higher educational exams. "We give out all sorts of exams: recertifications, Master's exams, nursing exams, legal exams. All sorts of students and professions pass through here." Pearson Professional centers has two locations in Williamsville, NY. Nick works mostly at the North Forest location, which is only about 10 minutes from where he lives. While at work, his responsibilities include signing each student into their exam, setting up the equipment to monitor the test takers, reading directions and procedures, and assigning breaks. In his time there, he has only had to cancel one test taker's exam for cheating.
Nick works 20 to 25 hours a week and is expecting a raise quite soon. This allows him the time to appropriately balance work and school. Nick is currently pursuing a Master's in psychology at the University at Buffalo. He has always loved school and was excited at the prospect of his course list for the upcoming semester, which includes cognitive neuropsychology, psychopathology, and psycholinguistics. In addition, Nick participates in a peer note taking program in which he helps take notes for students that might have trouble doing so. One of his long-term goals is earning his PhD in cognitive psych.
Nick did two different internships related to the field of psychology. He was a research assistant at the Auditory Perception and Action Lab and was an intern at the Research Institute on Addiction, both of which he thoroughly enjoyed. Research is another skill that Nick is good at, and another reason, why higher education in the field of psychology appeals to him.
Nick is a naturally gifted essayist. He also has a strong background in languages including Latin, Russian, and Spanish. He is an avid reader of nonfiction and is always gathering knowledge. The humanities appeal to him to a much greater degree than, math and science. In his free time, Nick is also an accomplished skier and skateboarder. He is eagerly anticipating the new semester.
Nick likes the stability and routine that college life offers. The rigor helps him to be more successful. Thanks to ACCES-VR and Andrea, he has a base to build upon. With his current employment, he maintains the ability to plan for all of the great things ahead.
— Martin Kilroy, Writer for Innovative Placements