Keriki Purkiss

Why FSU?

FSU has a long history of supporting students who sacrificed their lives for this country. Whether a student is a veteran or currently serving, the support I was told I would receive did not compare to other universities I was interested in. Other universities told me I could not pursue a Master of Social Work degree as an active duty service member. I don't prefer to be told no, and I knew that this degree was something I aspired to, and I did not take no for an answer. The best way to sum up my choice to attend FSU is that the FSU team believed in me; they did not let my active duty commitments deter them from betting on me.

Motivation to pursue a graduate degree

My ancestors are Jamaican, and I am a first-generation college graduate. My mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother inspired me and encouraged me always to posture myself to be in a learning environment. As an adolescent, I remember visiting my family in Jamaica during the summers, and my great-grandmother set time aside for me to learn something new. My family also taught me to advocate for others who may be unable to do so for themselves. Pursuing this degree will allow me to continue advocating for people beyond my active duty career. I will use what I have learned both in the Navy and at FSU to expand my knowledge, prepare for graduate study at the doctoral level, and positively impact others' lives.

Importance and/or impact of research and work

Clinical Social Workers are professionally trained and licensed to address several different needs within our population. A need that is very important to me is patient care as it pertains to mental health. We are an integral part of the patient care team, and we are a critical factor in helping clients address their issues so that they can live more fulfilling lives. Recently, during my field internship, I worked in a domestic violence shelter. I quickly saw the importance of clients having immediate access to a mental health professional. There is still a stigma of mental health and talking to someone about your needs and concerns. However, clinical social workers develop relationships with their clients so that the barrier to receiving care is removed. Clinical social workers educate, advocate, and provide care so that clients receive the best possible outcomes.

Describe an aspect of your military service that is especially memorable or exceptional

Currently, I am a commanding officer; only a few get to do what I do, and I don't mean command sailors. I get to lead sailors who excel at what they do and who choose to put their Navy family's needs ahead of their own. What is exceptional to me is leading a group of people who don't want to let each other down and push each other to be the best versions of themselves daily.

Tell us how your military service provided skills and experiences that you were able to apply to your graduate studies.

In the military, we are taught mental toughness and grit. We are given a mission to execute. We plan, we practice, and then we execute. Our hope is that we always produce the results that we intended. Mental toughness and grit describe the ability to persevere through life's ever-changing events. Pursuing a graduate degree while being an active-duty service member is a challenging experience. Still, I often think about experiences in the Navy that I previously thought to be difficult initially, but I persevered. Surviving deployment takes mental toughness and grit. Going to work during the day and pursuing graduate studies in the evenings or at night takes mental toughness and grit. In the end, earning this degree is a rewarding experience. I see this degree as a mission that I need to execute; there is a goal and I plan to achieve it by having mental toughness and grit.

Career aspirations

Upon graduating from FSU, I intend to apply for admission into a psychology doctoral program. I have always desired to research ways to bring mental health awareness to communities of color. I also want to contribute to reducing mental health stigma and seeking mental health therapy services. During the COVID-19 pandemic, this desire to contribute to psychology and social work research and provide therapy services to communities of color grew stronger as I saw a need for more mental health professionals of color. I look forward to implementing what I have learned at FSU as I pursue my professional career.

Advice for anyone considering graduate school

Firstly, take a moment to consider why you want to pursue graduate school. I believe in pursuing your dreams but for the right reasons. I encourage anyone considering graduate school to ask themselves these three questions: How is what you are doing going to impact others positively? If you choose to earn your graduate degree, will you be happy with your decision? Can you see yourself using this degree for the rest of your adult life? If you can answer these three questions in the way you desire, I say go for it and don't let anything stop you from earning your graduate degree.

Accomplishments during graduate career

I am a 2022-2023 Purdue University Military Family Research Institute Focus Forward Fellow and a recipient of the ESGR Service Member Patriot Award.