Graduate Alumni Focus| Jazzmyn Proctor, M.S.’24

I originally chose counseling because I wanted to help people, and therapy felt like the way I could make a meaningful impact. Before starting graduate school at Hood College, I worked in case management and in several treatment centers to understand different roles within the mental health field. Through those experiences, I realized that being a therapist was the right fit for me.

I was fortunate to have the support of Professor Megan Shaine from the very beginning of my program, and I am grateful for the role she continues to play in my life. She shaped both my personal and professional development, and I took every class I could with her. I also had close friends in the program whose support made the graduate experience smoother and more meaningful. That foundation of guidance and community was essential when I started my own business.

The early stages were challenging, and I questioned whether I was on the right path, as my practice grew more slowly than I expected. With that same strong personal and professional support, I was able to move forward with confidence and ultimately surpass what I imagined for my first year. Since then, I’ve been able to present at conferences alongside former professors, collaborate with professionals around the world through my podcast and continue learning from leaders in my field.

Running my own practice has required curiosity, reflection and a willingness to learn what works and what doesn’t—and that support system has been central to my growth.

My podcast, The Visibility Standard, is geared toward entrepreneurs and founders in the health and wellness space. I speak with coaches, app developers and product developers to explore their journeys, the challenges they’ve faced and what makes a purpose-driven brand successful. I actually began developing the podcast during my last semester of graduate school. I spent that time brainstorming the concept and reflecting on what it would mean to share my voice publicly as a therapist while still being a student.

During that same period, I also applied for my LLC. Graduate school played a meaningful role in this process, especially through the support of Professor Shaine, who encouraged my growth and helped me feel confident in stepping into both entrepreneurship and public facing work.
 

My support system reminds me to slow down when I need to, and that has been extremely important. I am intentional about both my personal life and my business. I create buffers by cooking, playing sports and prioritizing rest. During graduate school, Professor Shaine regularly reminded me to pause and take time for myself.

We would talk about whether I was actually resting during breaks, and I learned to be proactive about self-care rather than waiting until I was overwhelmed. That guidance helped me understand that maintaining balance is essential to sustaining both my well-being and my work.

Trust your instincts and allow curiosity to guide you. You can always change your path but follow what interests you. Reach out to people, explore new ideas and experiment. The more I allowed myself to experiment in both my work and creative pursuits, the more adaptable and fulfilled I became.

Inspired by Jazzmyn’s story? Ready to #GOFURTHER in your career? Learn more about Hood College's graduate programs, including the M.S. in clinical mental health counseling.