Julia Pearce

Master of Education in Developmental Psychology & Education (DPE), Class of 2021

What are some words of wisdom you would give to a new or incoming student in your program?
Make connections! I know in a world of online learning this is an interesting piece of advice … what I mean by this is to make sure you ask questions, both within your lectures and elsewhere. Both the staff and faculty at OISE are always willing to help, and you will be surprised by the opportunities, knowledge, and perspective (the most important in my experience) you gain by building relationships and working with them! I also encourage you to not be afraid to bring your individuality to your degree, your peers and professors appreciate diverse perspectives, and it contributes greatly to everyone’s learning. Finally, take advantage of your ability to take courses in other departments, it is a great opportunity to integrate your knowledge into a new field, and may contribute to your future educational or professional goals!

What next?
My central goal moving forward is to work in a capacity that supports the learning needs of exceptional students and continue to understand, as well as implement, the best practices for doing so within the education system. Currently, I am working as an Instructor Therapist providing early intervention for young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). I am hoping to start a graduate diploma in Applied Disability Studies in the Fall and work towards my Board-Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA) certification. Following this, I have considered returning to OISE … perhaps to pursue a Doctor of Education and one day (hopefully) teach at the post-secondary level or work in educational policy.

Why OISE?
While OISE is a prestigious institution, the highlight of my time here was the people I met, and how committed everyone is to each student’s success. The staff, faculty, and your fellow students all contribute to a diverse learning environment that is incredibly welcoming and supportive. As a new graduate, I also appreciate how well equipped I feel to begin my professional journey. There are a multitude of opportunities available to me post graduation…I have a purpose/ goal that will guide my educational and professional decisions moving forward but am not constrained to one career path – OISE has provided me with the ability to be flexible throughout my journey!