Had she not listened to her intuition, Kimberley Cullen never would have walked away with Carleton’s top honour. Cullen will receive the Chancellor’s Medal at November convocation, albeit four years later than fate might have deigned.
Following the advice of guidance councilors, Cullen began her post-secondary studies in a completely different field. Turned out biopharmaceutical sciences wasn’t for her. Although she’d completed her B.Sc. with honours, she couldn’t shake her conviction that she was meant to pursue a career in psychology. So, she switched universities and disciplines to start over again.
“Ever since I can remember, I’ve wanted to know how everything around me worked, and to me at least, the workings of the human psyche are pretty much the ultimate when it comes to exploration and discovery.”
The self-described feminist focused on three research themes during her undergraduate degree: human sexuality, the psychology of women and health psychology. Her passion for the subject is unabated. Cullen is currently pursuing her MA in clinical psychology at York University, and she has set her sights on a PhD.
“My research focuses primarily on women who are suffering from, or who have survived, gynecological cancers and how this affects their sense of being a women,” asserts Cullen. “My plan is to become a clinical psychologist specializing in women’s physical, mental and sexual health issues, particularly as they are affected by cancer.”
Cullen also hopes that her career will allow her to volunteer with international grassroots and community-based organizations that assist women affected by war, HIV/AIDS and poverty.
Now settled in Toronto, Cullen has fond memories of her time spent here on campus.
“I attribute a significant portion of my academic success to the quality of education I have received from Carleton,” said Cullen. “I always felt comfortable approaching professors and always got the sense that they genuinely cared about students and wanted them to succeed. Likewise, the staff was so helpful and friendly. They really make you feel like you matter.”
Cullen might say that the Chancellor’s Medal is a tangible result of the power of intuition.
“This medal is a personal symbol of how important it is to follow your heart and pursue your own dreams.”