Interview with Alumna Katie Revak Schwarze

T.G.I.F to all MI Gamma Pi Phis!  Our next interviewee, 

Katie Revak Schwarze, had the following to say to all current Psych majors:

"I'm willing to have any current psych majors shadow me for a day or two if they want to know what being a school psychologist is like.  (It's an amazing gig that fits well with family life once you have kids, etc......spring break, summer break!!!)"

If anyone is interested please leave a comment on this post!

Here's Katie!

Initiation Year:  January 1992 (Fall 1991 Pledge Class) 

Did you live in the house?   YES!  

How many years?  2 years (Sophomore and Junior years)...LOVED IT!

What did you enjoy about living in?  It was so much fun getting to really know my pledge class and the other ladies living in those years.  Having bus boys and a cook didn't hurt either.....although I do remember one year having a new cook and he always used WAY too much dill in EVERYTHING!  One late night we broke into the kitchen and threw his BUSHEL of dill out.  He was.so.mad!

Favorite Pi Phi memory?  Various social events, but my very favorite was Senior Walk Out.

What are you up to now?  I'm living in Ada (just outside Grand Rapids) with my husband and 3 boys.  I'm a school psychologist for Zeeland Public Schools and involved in the Junior League of GR  (and have met some other Michigan Gammas alumni in that group as well!  Small world!!)

How has Pi Phi influenced/affected your post-college life?  Post graduation I've lived all over the country (San Francisco, Charleston, SC, Ft. Myers, FL and now GR) and have always met Pi Phis.  These connections have always made these big cities seem smaller.  Besides that, it was an easy transition into the Junior League which focuses on helping women and children through volunteerism.

What do you wish you had known when you were in college?  When I was in college, I wish I would have explored more career options....I honestly didn't really know what was out there.  I wish I would have job shadowed in different areas, etc.  I am lucky that I LOVE what I'm doing, but in the back of my head, I wish I would have thought to look into interior design or something like that.......

Giving what you know now, what advice would you give to your college-age self?  Everyone always says that college is the best time of your life.....and they are right.  Enjoy yourself, take chances and risks, and be true to yourself.

Do you have any resume pointers or interview skills to share?  As far as resume, just put down things that pertain to the position you're looking for.  Don't fluff it up with "filler".  During interviews, know that you are selling yourself.  Don't be self conscious about bragging about yourself and what you know/do.  But at the same time be friendly and yourself.  These people who are interviewing you want to know if you are someone who can not only do the job, but if you are someone who they will want to be around.

What is something you wish you were better at?  Singing??   I don't know......I think I'm pretty good.  In the car. By myself.  With the windows up and the radio LOUD.  ;)

Do you have a personal motto?  God never gives you anything you can't handle.

Do you have a favorite quote? "And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you, because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don't believe in magic will never find it."  -Roald Dahl

Favorite TV Show and/or Movie?  I'm not ashamed to yell from the rooftops that I love trashy reality TV haha.  Especially the Real Housewives franchise and the Bachelor/Bachelorette mess.  I also love Mad Men.   Movies?  Parenthood, Cousins, Somethings Gotta Give, everything by John Hughes.

What is something on your bucket list?   Visit Australia!

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?  Gosh, will I have 1 son in college and 2 in high school??  Eek!  Hopefully I'll still be a school psychologist, but with all these attacks on education, I'm always wondering how that job will look in the future?  I'd love either a vacation home in Charleston or on the Leelanau Peninsula up north.

 

What is something people may not know about you?  I am very passionate about Autism Awareness.  My oldest son was diagnosed with PDD-NOS/High Functioning Autism when he was 2 (after I pushed and pushed for testing).   With tons of interventions when he was young, he's found great success.  It was the hardest time of my life dealing with that diagnosis and fighting for my son before autism became "in style" and people knew what it was.   Now when I watch him I'm so proud of all he's achieved, but also know life will be harder for him due to his quirks.  Helping him through this is the achievement I'm most proud of. 

 

Thanks Katie for participating and sharing your great stories from living in the Pi Phi house!  If anyone is interested in Katie's offer at the beginning of the post make sure and leave a comment below or email msupiphi@gmail.com.