Macy Hajek, 2nd year MS Counseling student testimonial
Second-year MS Counseling student Macy Hajek, from South Dakota, on choosing DMU through a diocesan connection, the program's integration of faith and clinical training, and why in-person residencies stand out in her experience.
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0:05Hello. I am Macy Hyek, and I am originally from Tyndall, South Dakota. I now live in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. I am a full time student here at Divine Mercy University in my second year of the program, just starting that. When I was discerning where I wanted to go and what I wanted to do with my life, I just heard this call from the Lord to love his people well. And one of the things to me that meant was I had past experience of interactions with people who needed some of the deeper healing and help. So I was drawn to mental health counseling. And within that, I knew I wanted to be able to integrate different spiritual components and have this holistic perspective. So as I was mentioning some of these dreams and aspirations I had with the priests in my area and some of the other mentors, we had a connection already to Divine Mercy University through our diocese.
0:59So they instantly recommended to check it out, and as soon as I saw the mission statement, I knew it was a lot of what I wanted to do work wise in this world. So then from there, I have applied and haven't really been let down since, just the support and the care we receive from everybody else, but also that also that integration aspect is the aspect is very much present from the beginning of our time here as students, that in every course, we are drawn to reflect on who God made us to be and made us to be as people, but individually, and how that impacts the work that we do. But we're also drawn on how to integrate maybe this whole person perspective even when clients aren't Catholic or spiritual.
1:46So this well rounded perspective of the person has been such a gift, to receive and is a lot of the mission that I desire to live out. And one of my favorite things about DMU is our time at residencies. We get to come all together from around the country and for my cohort's sake, from even around the world. And we get to just spend four days together in community learning and growing and continuing to develop in our professional skills. And the professors are always supportive, warm, encouraging, like I mentioned. They really are just here along with everybody else to help you succeed and flourish in the call that God has given you. So it's been a great gift to be here and to be supported by so many great people.