We have so many stellar Options alumni, and in our new series, we wanted to shine a light on a few of our past clients who have gone on to do great things both near and far. This month, we chatted with Sarah about what she’s been up to since she graduated and her advice for current post-secondary students.
What’s your name?
Sarah Sheppard
Where and what did you study?
I began post-secondary in the nursing program at McGill University; after one year in the program, I transferred to the Food, Nutrition, and Health program at UBC for one year. Then, after a couple of years off, I began my Bachelor of Arts in Honours Psychology at Vancouver Island University, which I completed in May 2024. This fall, I am moving on to the MA-PhD program in Clinical Psychology at the University of New Brunswick.
How did you choose this institution and program?
I initially chose to pursue the fields of nursing and dietetics because I struggled with an eating disorder throughout high school. I believed this would be a great way for me to help individuals still struggling. However, through my years at McGill and UBC, I continued to struggle with an eating disorder and developed a problematic relationship with alcohol and drugs. In 2019, I moved to Vancouver Island to seek help for both mental health disorders and became interested in the field of psychology. I initially chose to attend Vancouver Island University because it allowed me to stay in my local recovery community and maintain my newfound support network. Having previously attended larger, more “prestigious” schools, I admit I thought that going to VIU was more of a necessity for my recovery than my “dream school,” but through my undergrad degree, I saw the value in a smaller school as I formed close connections with my professors, who encouraged and helped me to apply to competitive clinical psychology graduate programs.
Would your high school self be surprised with where you ended up?
My high school self would be very surprised with where I’ve ended up, but I think she’d also be very excited! I graduated from high school in 2015 and spent four relatively turbulent years figuring out where I was going with my life and wondering if I’d ever be able to successfully complete a post-secondary degree.
What would you tell current post-secondary students about finding a path?
My biggest advice for current post-secondary students would be to take the time to truly get to know yourself. It can be easy to feel a sense of urgency to “figure it all out” as quickly as possible, and seemingly infinite choices can be overwhelming. Understanding our values, goals, strengths, and weaknesses can simplify those decisions and make the future seem exciting rather than daunting.
What are you doing now?
I am starting the MA-PhD program in Clinical Psychology at the University of New Brunswick in September. I’ll be working with Dr. Emilie Lacroix and the Maritime Eating and Appearance Lab to research integrated treatment methods for eating disorders and substance use disorders, a topic very close to my heart.
What at Options Solutions helped you the most?
Applying to university can be overwhelming—choosing programs, navigating website portals, writing personal statements, and tracking deadlines can feel like a full-time job. Options Solutions helped me organize and simplify the process, and I am so grateful for that!
A fun fact about you?
When I’m not working on research projects, I’m usually in the kitchen testing new baking recipes or on my boat with my partner exploring Vancouver Island’s beautiful lakes!
