Learn more about students in Informed and Inspired at San Diego State University at: [ Ссылка ]
Video created by the College of Education video production team:
Nolan Voge, Student Assistant Videographer, Office of the Dean
Thanks to:
Greg Hoffman, Rehabilitation Counseling Program Graduate
Informed and Inspired - San Diego State University
Transcript:
"My name's Greg Hoffman. I am interested in becoming a vocational rehabilitation counselor with the Department of Rehabilitation in their Blind Field Services Department.
"Well, I was born with poor eyesight. And throughout my life, it just kept progressing. And when I was in my early 40s, it got to the point where I couldn't do my job anymore. I was faced with the decision to figure out what to do. I figured out, there's actually incredibly good jobs for people with blindness and visual impairments. But you have to have your credentials.
"Going back to college was a way that I was able to learn about what was happening to me, and being able to understand that it's a shared experience between people that lose any kind of abilities. This program helped me adjust to my own disability. I realized quickly the amount of help I was getting. Just blew me away. So, it kind of pushed me more in that- in this direction of becoming a rehabilitation counselor. It helps you get yourself placed in positions where you're actually practicing to be a rehabilitation counselor.
"I always used to think you can't teach an old dog new tricks. But I've been fortunate that my mind has allowed me to take in the experience, and not just learn, but be around people that are so incredible.
"Dr. Degeneffe, he's my mentor, my advisor, he's the first person that I met when I applied for the program. He's the person that interviewed me for the program. It's pretty incredible when you're researching a topic, and the names of the professors start coming up in all the research data. So, they're the ones publishing, they're the ones at the forefront of bringing this information out. And Dr. Degeneffe's specialty is in traumatic brain injuries and cognitive disabilities. I've spent a lot of time with him and it's been a wonderful experience. It's been and incredible learning opportunity.
"I have worked with probably over 150 different clients now with different disabilities. And I have been able to help them.
"It opened my eyes to the whole world of disabilities. And I guess on a lot of different levels, it's made me more aware, and I think a better person because of it."
