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Welcome to the World!
I was born in Yorkton, Saskatchewan, to my loving parents, Deanna and Edwin Pellatt. As you may notice, I also have an older brother, Jaedon. -
I'm a Big Sister Now!
With the birth of my little brother, Jairus, our family was officially complete. -
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Maybe I should be an artist? Or at least do something artsy?
I loved art growing up - drawing, painting, video creation, etc. I was pretty good at it too. I really wanted to do something artistic with my life. I considered many different possibilities including photography, interior design, and architecture. I even researched what kind of education avenues were available in Canada for those careers in my middle school career education classes. -
Well... I guess I won't pursue art.
I recall two instances that made me reconsider pursuing art as a career:
1. In grade 7, my science teacher stopped class to remark "you know Janeen, most artists don't become famous until after they die," as I worked on a drawing.
2. Later, when I was considering pursuing architecture, my uncle told me, "definitely don't do that, have you never heard of a starving artist?"
These (and other) moments led me to abandon my artistic aspirations in favour of a more stable career path - but what? -
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I think I want to help people instead...
After abandoning my artistic aspirations, I started to consider pursuing a profession that would allow me to help people. I considered many different possibilities, particularly first-responder jobs (e.g., policing or fire-fighting). I just couldn't find anything that seemed right. -
I kind of really like this volleyball thing...
Although I was always athletic in general and participated in other sports, I really fell in love with volleyball during my first club season when I was 15/16. This was partially due to watching the anime, Haikyuu, but also because I really loved the characteristics of the sport. -
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Hmmm... this psychology stuff is really interesting...
In grade 11, I took two captivating classes that introduced me to the field of psychology: a French course that covered major topics in the fields of psychology, sociology, and anthropology, and Psychology 30. These classes stood out as interesting compared to many of my other high school courses, sparking my interest in possibly pursuing psychology further. -
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A Forever Coach
I began coaching volleyball in Grade 11 by assisting elementary school and middle school teams. I've been an assistant coach ever since, helping out with different school teams, club teams, and volleyball camps. This year, I've taken on the role of head coach which has been challenging but rewarding. Coaching is extremely important to me, and I'm committed to passing on my passion for the sport to the next generation as I progress in my career journey. -
The Bestest of Best Friends
Kassidy and Caitlin have been my best friends for almost a decade. Although we've known each other since we were little, as we grew up around each other, we became particularly close in 2016. They have been some of my biggest supporters and have helped me through extremely tough times. If I ever have kids, they will call these 2 girls "aunty." -
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Grade 12: A Series of Unfortunate Events
My grade 12 year started off with me getting dumped, getting cut from a Division 1 18u club volleyball team I was extremely interested in, and my family finding out that my dad had prostate cancer. Additionally, my family was facing some financial hardships. Although the year got better overtime and my family laughs about it now, it was an extremely difficult 8 months that I would have never gotten through without Kassidy and Caitlin. -
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Volleyball Canada Regional Excellence Program
Although I ended up getting cut from the Division 1 18u club team I was interested in, the team's coach had sent prospective athletes information about the Volleyball Canada Regional Excellence Program that was taking place in Regina throughout the fall. I decided to register even though it felt like a waste. Not only did I learn A LOT, but I caught the eye of the head coach of the 18u Stealth team, another Division 1 team. Coincidentally, their team needed a middle. -
Sask Stealth
My time with Sask Stealth was filled with highs and A LOT of lows. It was evident from the first practice that I was by far the worst on the team; Likely due to playing with Division 2 teams and for less knowledgable coaches in the years prior. The season was a battle full of self-doubt and disappointment but I worked extremely hard. With the help of my amazing coaches and teammates, I improved at a rapid rate and managed to get 5 post-secondary offers at the end of the season. -
Signing to the Olds College Broncos Women's Volleyball Team!
After a very long pros and cons list, I decided to sign with the Olds College Broncos. Signing those papers felt like a dream come true and was a massive achievement for me. There, I completed a Diploma in Sports Management. Although this decision put a hold on my pursuit of a career in psychology, the Sports Management Diploma provided me with an excellent foundation for coaching. -
A Conversation with Mike Reavie
Despite committing to Olds where I wouldn't be able to study psychology right away, my mom set up a meeting with Mike Reavie, the Coordinator of Student Achievement and Supports for the CTTCS school board in Yorkton. Mike, holding a BA (honours) in psychology and a Master of Counselling Psychology, provided valuable information about the field of psychology and its various branches. Without this discussion, I would've been ill prepared for pursuing a career in psychology. -
Signing to the the Memorial University SeaHawks Women's Volleyball Team!
After completing my diploma at Olds College, I wanted to move forward with my career journey and begin studying psychology. However, I wanted to continue playing volleyball. So, after talking with the SeaHawks' coach, John Slauenwhite, I transferred to Memorial and signed with the SeaHawks Women's Volleyball Team. -
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I know I need a masters and I still want to help people... maybe clinical or counselling psychology?
Thanks to my discussion with Mike Reavie, I knew I would need a masters to work in the field of psychology. With a continued desire to help others, I began considering clinical or counselling psychology. -
"I couldn't afford therapy so I became a therapist" -Toni Batt
This quote, said by Toni, the mother of my close friend Emily, hit me like a Van Damme kick to the chest. During this visit, I was contemplating pursuing clinical psychology after my undergraduate studies. The way her words struck a chord with me evoked both concern and deep self-reflection. -
I think I might be good at this sort of thing...
During a drive to the lake, my mom discussed a colleague's request to trade teaching subjects. My mom was uncomfortable with the idea as she doubted her ability to teach the other subject effectively. Despite her discomfort, she felt bad to decline. We talked about boundaries and the importance of refusing when it's best for her and the students. My advice surprised her. This and similar conversations with others helped me believe I had the skills for a helping profession such as counselling. -
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PSYC 3251: Learning
One of the projects required in Psychology 3251 was an Individual Development Plan. As part of the project, we had to research potential future career/education paths. I discovered that clinical psychology wasn't for me and began focusing on counselling psychology. -
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Counselling
With time-management and personal issues proving to be difficult for me to handle on my own, I decided to reach out to the SWCC at MUN. I was lucky enough to get booked in for counselling with an amazing psychologist. Not only did it help me navigate through my problems, it increased my appreciation for the profession and made me want to pursue counselling psychology even more. -
ED 3210 - Oh yeah, this is it.
After deciding I was particularly interested in counselling psychology, thanks to my PSYC 3251 class, I took ED 3210: Introduction to Counselling. I sent this text to my friends while completing school work for the class. I knew I was making the right choice. -
Retiring from Varsity Volleyball
Although I had a year of eligibility left, I decided to retire at the end of my 4th season. With increasing financial issues and a heart that wasn't motivated enough to continue with the gruelling training schedule, I felt it was best to walk away. I still play women's league and I will forever be a coach, but my days of highly competitive volleyball are behind me. -
I Have an Honours Supervisor!
At the end of my 3rd year, I was concerned that I didn't have an honours supervisor yet. I was extremely fortunate to be taken on by the Psychology Department Head, Dr. Christina Thorpe. She has not only guided me through my thesis, but was an extreme help as I applied for graduate school. She is the closest thing that I have had to a mentor in University. -
Applying to Master Programs
This past December, I applied to 3 Master programs. The M.Ed in Counselling Psychology at the University of Alberta, the M.ED in School and Counselling Psychology at the University of Saskatchewan, and the MC at the University of Lethbridge. I am hopeful to be accepted and looking forward to starting my next chapter... even if I am not accepted. -
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A New Outlook on Life :)
Thanks to my Selected Topics in Social Psychology course, which covers extensive positive psychology topics, and this course, I have gained a new outlook on my life that is much more positive and forgiving. I have a new appreciation for where I've been, where I'm going, and what I'm doing right now. -
You're All Caught Up!
Welcome to the present day! I am currently on track to graduate in the spring with a BA in Psychology :) I am eager to hear back from the graduate schools I applied to so that I can plan the next chapter of my life - whatever that looks like.