The HDFS Careers Podcast features informal discussions with family science majors about their professional journeys, hosted by Erica Jordan. This episode showcases Annie Schmidt's story, highlighting her educational background and career in child development and early childhood mental health.

Annie Schmidt holds a Bachelor's degree in Child Development and a Master's degree in Early Childhood Mental Health from San Diego State University (SDSU), which includes a graduate certificate in Early Childhood Socio-Emotional Behavior Regulation Intervention Specialist (ECCBRIS). Her career began as a mental health program specialist at Head Start, and she has taken on various roles, including that of a preschool teacher and site supervisor. Annie emphasizes the importance of advocating for balance in education and work, sharing that she gained valuable insights from her diverse experiences, and now focuses on mental health consultation for early childhood. She advises students to ask questions, embrace their individual paths, and prioritize self-care in their careers.

Annie’s career progression illustrates a steady journey in early childhood education. Initially, she worked as a mental health program specialist for Head Start at a nonprofit in San Diego. Furthermore, she has previous experience as a preschool teacher and site supervisor, which allowed her to gain extensive hands-on experience with young children and their families. Throughout her studies, Annie held various jobs related to early childhood education, including roles as a teacher assistant and lead teacher, all contributing to her practical knowledge and professional growth.

In her key experiences, Annie transitioned from being a student to a professional successfully, advocating for her needs to achieve balance between education and work. The insights she gained through her experiences as both a teacher and a site supervisor are now applied in her current role as a mental health program specialist, where she focuses on early childhood mental health consultation, collaborating with families and staff to address developmental and behavioral challenges.

Annie also offers guidance for students and new professionals, emphasizing the importance of asking questions and seeking guidance during their educational journey. She encourages students to embrace individual paths, acknowledging that setbacks can lead to transformative experiences. Finally, she stresses the significance of self-care and balance in pursuing careers in child development and family sciences.