My name is Pamela Gardner and I am the Undergraduate Advisor
in the Department of Child and Family Development (CFD) at San Diego State
University. Many high school students are not aware of our major and the
careers our graduates pursue. Consequently, I would like to provide you
with a brief introduction to our major and our students. Please share
this information with your students as they prepare their college applications.
The interdisciplinary major in Child and Family Development
prepares students for a variety of professional specialties. Our
graduates find positions in preschools, child care centers, hospitals, schools,
residential institutions, public welfare agencies, family service agencies,
family planning clinics, mental health institutions, community programs,
business and industry, and government agencies. Our major provides
preparation for graduate study and credential programs in child and family
development, education, social work, special education, school counseling,
school psychology, marriage and family therapy, physical/occupational therapy,
law, and medicine.
Our department is unique in many ways. Students have
opportunities to work alongside faculty, assisting with research and
community-based projects. We are strong believers in the “learn by doing”
philosophy and our students are placed in the field beginning their first year
at SDSU. Students graduate with not only theoretical knowledge, but with
a great deal of practical experience, as well. We have an outstanding
student organization and our members are doing great things on campus and in
the San Diego community. The support that students receive is truly
exceptional in our CFD department. We have a mentor center where students
receive peer-mentoring, hold study groups, use the computers/printers, or just
hang out with friends. We are proud to say that because of our strong
student support, we have the highest graduation rate on campus! Our
involvement with and support of students does not end with graduation. We
formed the first department-based SDSU alumni chapter. Our alumni hold
social events and networking meetings.
As you can see, I am very proud of our Child and Family
Development Department. I know your students will receive an excellent
college education and experience in our department and at SDSU. I will be
attending the college fair at Grossmont College on Saturday, October 19.
Please encourage your students to attend and to stop by my table. I look
forward to meeting them! Please contact me with any questions, pgardner@mail.sdsu.edu or 619
594-7035.
Thank you very much!!
Pamela
W. Gardner, M.S.
Undergraduate
Advisor
Department
of Child and Family Development
San
Diego State University
619
594-7035
