Mariana Queiroz

• Bachelor of Arts in Psychology + Concentration in Organizational Psychology (2020)

Mariana earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a concentration in Organizational Psychology in 2020. Following graduation, she pursued a Graduate Diploma in Art Therapy at the Kutenai Art Therapy Institute, integrating her interest in psychology with creative, therapeutic approaches to support well-being.

Brief description of what I do!

I’m a student completing a two-year art therapy graduate program at the Kutenai Art Therapy Institute, taking classes on cultural identity, sustainability in art, and land based healing. Once I graduate, I will qualify as a psychotherapist in Ontario and will be able to provide art therapy to those in my community (in-person and online!).

What inspired your career path after graduation?

After graduating from the Psychology program, I worked for 6 years at Carleton University as my career goal was to support international students in their transition to life in Canada. I was an international student myself, and my time at Carleton was made better because of the support services and staff that helped me feel like I belonged. I wanted to give back to my community and inspire other international students who may want to move to Canada. I had a wonderful time working at a couple departments at Carleton, where I got to present at orientation events, create marketing campaigns, and most recently, oversee the exchange program.

I was inspired by my work with students at Carleton and wanted to find a way to help more people in various stages of life. I want to create spaces where people feel connected to something bigger than themselves and can find community and belonging. As my professional goals developed, I found art therapy as a way to combine my passion for creativity with helping others, and am now pursuing a graduate degree to become an Art Therapist.

How did your experience in the psychology program shape your journey?

The psychology program was a great starting point for my career, as at the time I graduated, I wasn’t sure yet how I wanted to work within the field of psychology. It gave me the skills and experience to feel prepared to work in an administrative field. Now 6 years later, I am returning to the psychology field with more maturity and a clearer picture on how I can help others with my work.

What skills or experiences were most valuable after graduation?

The program prepared me for the real world, as I developed writing, research and presentation skills, which can be easily transferable to many other fields.

Do you have a favourite memory from your program at Carleton?

I loved the Cultural Psychology and Developmental Psychology courses! Professor Guy Lacroix was also a highlight of my time at Carleton, as he took the time to listen to students and give advice that actually made sense to their career path.