Representation matters<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n\u201cIt\u2019s lovely to receive recognition and awards,\u201d said Labrecque, \u201cbut really my biggest motivator is to give so people can have what I didn\u2019t.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2024\/08\/headshot-Labrecque-Kristen-1024x1024.jpg\")
Kristen Labrecque.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nShe knows full well as a first-generation college student the feeling of landing in an unfamiliar world and lacking guidance, mentorship or networks to smooth the path forward. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now, in her role as adviser for Pre-Health Pathways, Labrecque provides students with those crucial resources, helping them navigate the complex requirements for a future in any health field. That goes for aspiring dentists, doctors, veterinarians, health care navigators, optometrists, social workers \u2014 you name it. \u201cIf it seems like health care,\u201d said Labrecque, \u201cI support those students.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of the first things she did when assuming her role in 2021 was to redesign content on the pre-health advising website<\/a>. In addition to simplifying the intricacies that students confront, the site features a quarterly alumni story. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\u201cStudents can see alumni who look like them, who have had experiences like them, who have gone on to work in health care,\u201d said Labrecque, \u201cso that they can be inspired and see that someone else has blazed this trail.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Labrecque also approaches her work with a larger purpose in mind. \u201cI strongly believe that we can improve population health by diversifying our health workforce,\u201d she said. \u201cOur students at UW Bothell are rich in their diversity, so aiding their pursuits of careers in health is my way of contributing to those diversification efforts.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Authentic connection<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nPraised by Emily Christian, dean for enrollment services, for her \u201cexpansive ideas and visionary approach,\u201d Labrecque has actively enlarged advising resources to reach pre-health students and alumni where they are. One of her innovations is a LinkedIn group composed of current UW Bothell students, alumni and industry partners. One of its successes: A student recently landed a job posted in the group. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Labrecque also helms a dizzying array of services that span everything from resum\u00e9-writing workshops to mock interviews to information sessions with professional schools. She is also a sought-after campus partner, teaming up with faculty on several courses and leading her own class in which students explore a range of health professions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Of all the demands her advisees face, she said, the one that causes the most consternation is the personal statement \u2014 a required element of every graduate school application. Students worry about how to stand out, how to be unique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt\u2019s right in front of you,\u201d Labrecque tells students. \u201cOwn your story, tell your story. If you\u2019re authentic, then your application will stand out.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
She urges students to move out of the comparison mindset \u2014 stop reading other people\u2019s essays \u2014 and get into the creation mindset. She will elaborate on this advice at an upcoming professional conference, where she\u2019ll give a presentation titled \u201cOpen Your Heart and Connect.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s an apt summary of Labrecque\u2019s approach to academic advising at UW Bothell, where her day is often filled with 30-minute appointments. Those limited timeslots don\u2019t leave a lot of room for posturing or pretending on either side. \u201cLife is short,\u201d she said. \u201cThere\u2019s not enough time to be something you\u2019re not. If you\u2019re going to really connect with someone else, you have to be authentic. Being yourself is the best way to do that.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Support in many forms<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
She knows full well as a first-generation college student the feeling of landing in an unfamiliar world and lacking guidance, mentorship or networks to smooth the path forward. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now, in her role as adviser for Pre-Health Pathways, Labrecque provides students with those crucial resources, helping them navigate the complex requirements for a future in any health field. That goes for aspiring dentists, doctors, veterinarians, health care navigators, optometrists, social workers \u2014 you name it. \u201cIf it seems like health care,\u201d said Labrecque, \u201cI support those students.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of the first things she did when assuming her role in 2021 was to redesign content on the pre-health advising website<\/a>. In addition to simplifying the intricacies that students confront, the site features a quarterly alumni story. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cStudents can see alumni who look like them, who have had experiences like them, who have gone on to work in health care,\u201d said Labrecque, \u201cso that they can be inspired and see that someone else has blazed this trail.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n Labrecque also approaches her work with a larger purpose in mind. \u201cI strongly believe that we can improve population health by diversifying our health workforce,\u201d she said. \u201cOur students at UW Bothell are rich in their diversity, so aiding their pursuits of careers in health is my way of contributing to those diversification efforts.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n Praised by Emily Christian, dean for enrollment services, for her \u201cexpansive ideas and visionary approach,\u201d Labrecque has actively enlarged advising resources to reach pre-health students and alumni where they are. One of her innovations is a LinkedIn group composed of current UW Bothell students, alumni and industry partners. One of its successes: A student recently landed a job posted in the group. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Labrecque also helms a dizzying array of services that span everything from resum\u00e9-writing workshops to mock interviews to information sessions with professional schools. She is also a sought-after campus partner, teaming up with faculty on several courses and leading her own class in which students explore a range of health professions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Of all the demands her advisees face, she said, the one that causes the most consternation is the personal statement \u2014 a required element of every graduate school application. Students worry about how to stand out, how to be unique. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIt\u2019s right in front of you,\u201d Labrecque tells students. \u201cOwn your story, tell your story. If you\u2019re authentic, then your application will stand out.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n She urges students to move out of the comparison mindset \u2014 stop reading other people\u2019s essays \u2014 and get into the creation mindset. She will elaborate on this advice at an upcoming professional conference, where she\u2019ll give a presentation titled \u201cOpen Your Heart and Connect.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s an apt summary of Labrecque\u2019s approach to academic advising at UW Bothell, where her day is often filled with 30-minute appointments. Those limited timeslots don\u2019t leave a lot of room for posturing or pretending on either side. \u201cLife is short,\u201d she said. \u201cThere\u2019s not enough time to be something you\u2019re not. If you\u2019re going to really connect with someone else, you have to be authentic. Being yourself is the best way to do that.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\nAuthentic connection<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Support in many forms<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.uwb.edu\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2024\/08\/Nhi-Tran-1024x1024.jpg\")