Where Are They Now? 2007 Alum pursues the life of her dreams, offers words of advice to new grads

As noted in last week's edition of the "New Rockford Transcript", the 2019 NR-S seniors chose for their class motto the following words by Oprah Winfrey: "The biggest adventure you can take is to live the life of your dreams." Samantha Myhre, a member of the very first graduating class after New Rockford and Sheyenne reorganized, offers some valuable insight to the soon-to-be high school graduates about choosing a future career that reflects what they really want to do, what their strengths are and where their passion lies. After years of hard work, Sam is definitely starting to live the life of her dreams.

Growing up on a farm near Sheyenne, Sam vacillated among wanting to become a teacher, a nurse, a hair stylist or a waitress. As a child, she had never even considered becoming a therapist. This particular profession that she has embarked upon suits her well, though, as she is able to rely on the values and principles instilled upon her by her family. She was taught to be open-minded, inclusive and non-judgmental. Sam brings these ideologies to the table when she works with her patients on a daily basis in her Austin, Texas office.

How did this graduate of the NR-S Class of 2007 rise to the point of selecting an occupational path that she is completely excited about? She needed to trust a few key mentors to make some momentous decisions toward attaining goals that would allow her to travel, meet motivational people along with way, and work in a setting that is challenging but pleasing. Many of these encouraging advisers were people at the University of Jamestown and NDSU.

Sam pursued her undergraduate degrees at the University of Jamestown. She originally enrolled as a biology major with the intent of continuing on to optometry school. Not realizing the full extent of health-related options that are available to students, Sam made the decision instead to work toward a role of a school counselor by taking courses to fulfill psychology and education degrees. Dr. Mary Devitt, an extremely intuitive adviser at the U of J, guided Sam to think about a line of work that would be truly meaningful to her. Once Sam learned about the roles of a clinical psychologist, along with the versatility that this profession affords, she thought, "Yep, "Yep, that's the one!" In this career, Sam could not only provide clinical services, but she also could teach at community and collegiate levels while conducting research.

Since she was far enough along with the requirements for her education degree, Sam completed both Bachelor of Arts degrees in education and psychology, receiving the distinguished honor of College Fellow for both degrees at the U of J.

Attending college at the University of Jamestown from the fall of 2007 to the summer of 2012 was the first step in Sam's post-secondary school aspirations. Then, once she elected to become a clinical psychologist, she needed to make many more decisions. Choosing the route of a PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) program instead of a PsyD (Doctor of Psychology) allowed Sam to nurture her interest in teaching and clinical work. Taking the Graduate Record Examination and the psychology-specific exam was quite overwhelming and emotionally taxing, but Sam steadfastly pushed forward.

Sam then moved to Fargo to study in the Psychological Clinical Science program at NDSU. Dr. Paul Rokke worked with Sam and other students in a lab where they researched the vulnerability to, prevention of, and treatment of depression and other related concerns. Sam began the intense progression of obtaining a master's degree for the first two to three years of coursework and writing her thesis, passing and defending the Area Paper, and then advancing to doctoral candidacy. At this point, Sam needed to finish her clinical training and practicum as she researched and completed her dissertation. "During this part of my journey, I was very fortunate to work with Dr. Rokke and Dr. Katie Gordon, among other absolutely excellent mentors. The other grad students in my lab have also become some of the best friends I could have asked for. I truly lucked out with where I landed," Sam states.

While at NDSU from 2012 to 2017, Sam taught undergraduate courses in Abnormal Psychology and Introduction to Clinical Psychology. She then completed the College Teaching Certificate, which included many instructive experiences to build her teaching portfolio.

As part of her final year in graduate school, Sam had to complete a pre-doctoral internship. On "match day," after many interviews during January, she was informed that Colorado Springs would be her home for the next year. Sam's first choice in the interview process had been AspenPointe.

After completing her dissertation, Sam needed to begin the application process for her postdoctoral fellowship. During this one-to-two-year period, a fellow earns clinical hours that count toward licensure as a psychologist. Sam traveled to Chicago, Denver, Austin, Dallas and West Virginia, to interview for a clinical position. She was placed at the Austin Anxiety and OCD Specialists clinic, which was the very first interview that she had completed. Although she struggled with conflicting emotions of excitement and separation from family, Sam received total support from both her family and her partner William. In August of 2018, she moved to Texas.

Now a Clinical Postdoctoral Fellow at Austin Anxiety and OCD Specialists, Sam splits her time between the locations of the West Lake Hills area of Austin and Round Rock, Texas. She focuses primarily on cognitive-behavioral therapy and works with patients across the lifespan who are presenting many disorders, such as generalized, social and separation anxieties; specific phobias; panic; obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD); depression and other related concerns. Her schooling is not quite done, as she is now studying to take the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP), a licensing exam for psychologists, while she works full-time. She recently accepted the position of staying on as a staff psychologist at the Austin Anxiety and OCD Specialists clinic upon completion of her fellowship and passing of the EPPP. Again, she is able to work side-by-side with an excellent and talented group of clinicians.

Naturally, Sam's biggest fans of her accomplishments are her parents, Kent and Alyson Myhre, as well as her sister Emma, who will start her senior year of high school this fall. Despite the 12-year difference in their ages, Sam and Emma have a close relationship as sisters, so Sam's educational trek has been very inspirational for Emma. Sam's words for Emma and other young people are, "Don't be afraid to be weird. Weird is cool! Your kind of weird is what makes you you. Embrace it!" One of Sam's favorite quotations is by renowned research professor and speaker, Brené Brown, and relates to this idea of being unique: "You're imperfect, and you're wired for struggle, but you are worthy of love and belonging." Sam leaned on this wisdom as she gained momentum in her educational journey. As a lifelong learner, Sam's curiosity speaks to her "forever student" label.

Twelve years of dedication to studies, experiences and relationships has culminated in a career that prompts Sam to treat each Monday eagerly with relish. So, seniors, on the cusp of your high school graduation, don't be afraid learn and work hard toward lofty future goals. The end result will be so worth all of your intense hours as proven by this 2007 NR-S graduate.