Senior Spotlight: State College’s Chen Aspires to Be a School Counselor

The Centre County Gazette continues its end-of-the-school-year interviews with local graduating seniors. This week’s Senior Spotlight shines on Tiffany Chen, of State College Area High School.

 Centre County Gazette: What are you most looking forward to about graduating from high school?

Tiffany Chen: I am most looking forward to making my own decisions and trying my best to be my own person. 

CCG: Where are you going to college?

Chen: Penn State, University Park.

CCG: What is your area of interest?

Chen: I am interested in working in the high school system somehow, hopefully as a guidance counselor.

CCG: Where do you hope your plans after college will take you?

Chen: I want to relocate to Seattle, Washington, and become a high school English teacher; and, while I do that, I want to get my master’s so I can be a guidance counselor. 

CCG: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Chen: I see myself relocated to Seattle, Washington, working as a guidance counselor for a high school.

CCG: Who do you look up to? Who is your role model?

Chen: I look most up to my aunt, Winnie, who immigrated to America at the age of 12. It’s difficult being an Asian in America sometimes (especially as a first-generation immigrant), and she has done a lot to overcome that and be successful (she’s a pharmacist now, with her own small family).

CCG: Where is your dream vacation?

Chen: Taipei, Taiwan. My family is Taiwanese and I’ve heard beautiful stories about it.

CCG: Name three things we could find in your refrigerator.

Chen: Pickles, pineapple and eggs.

Gazette: What one thing would you take to a desert island with you?

Chen: An “s,” so it could be a dessert island. 

CCG: Favorite TV show and movie of all-time?

Chen: My favorite TV show is The Office and my favorite movie is Fight Club.

CCG: What would you do with a million dollars?

Chen: I would take my family out to eat and invest in some real estate. 

CCG: Is there anything else Gazette readers should know about you?

Chen: I am very involved in mental health advocacy and I want to be able to stay involved for a very long time.