Her Story
About Jelisa
I have been in the mental health field for over 15 years, primarily working with teens and adolescents. My journey into this field was deeply personal - I went through mental health challenges at a very young age, and those experiences inspired me to become a safe space for youth and show them that they can get through difficult times. I earned my Master's degree in School Counseling from Wilmington University in 2020, which stands as my most notable professional achievement. As a first-generation college graduate who didn't come from a lot, I've always been purpose driven as a visionary for where I wanted to go and where I wanted to be in life. That vision has driven me to push forward despite the many obstacles that I have faced on the journey. I'm a member of the Maryland School Counselor Association, and I'm proud to serve on the board of the Fenix Youth Project, a nonprofit organization that serves homeless and unaccompanied youth through advocacy and creative arts. One of the biggest challenges I face in my field right now is navigating how systematic it is as a woman of color and breaking through those barriers, including dealing with microaggressions. Outside of my professional work, I'm a bubbly person that who loves running, dancing, and reading. I am also a mother to the funniest, inquisitive and lovable little boy Aspen. I'm currently working on my first book, a memoir about my childhood and young adult years and the things I had to overcome to get to where I am now.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Jelisa
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to God, first and foremost, but also to my purpose driven nature. I've always had a vision for where I wanted to go and where I wanted to be, and I just pushed forward. I was born and raised in a small town on the Eastern Shore of Virginia - I'm a first-generation college graduate - but I always had that clear vision for where I wanted to go in life, and that's what kept me moving forward.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I've ever received is to speak up. Don't be afraid to speak up, especially when you are new to the table. It's important to make your voice heard even when you're just starting out or entering new spaces. Also, don’t be afraid to be yourself. Masking is draining and it’s important to be authentic to who God created you to be.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Be prepared to be met with resistance, and it doesn't mean that you're necessarily doing something wrong. It actually means that you're on the right track, and you just have to continue to push forward, especially when you have a vision for where you want to go in life. Resistance is often a sign that you're heading in the right direction, so don't let it stop you. You may have to pivot a few times and that’s okay just don’t quit.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge in my field right now is navigating just how systematic it is, being a woman of color, and breaking through some of those barriers. I also have to deal with the daily microaggressions, which is another added challenge in my field.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
One of the most important values to me professionally is integrity, especially in my line of work. Maintaining integrity is essential in the mental health field and in how I approach my work especially being in such a stigmatized field.
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