I became interested in psychology when I was in 7th grade after reading "I Never Promised You A Rose Garden" by Hannah Green (still one of my fave books). I think I decided when I was a sophomore in high school that I wanted my PhD but at that time I was interested in schizophrenia. In UG my research focus was with the college population and psychopathology (probably mostly out of convenience). So when I applied to programs the first time around I looked only at schools that were close to me and found stuff that kinda sounded interesting. In other words, the exact wrong way to go about finding a PhD program thats a good fit. Needless to say, I didn't get in. Plan B was to get a job at a local children's hospital, which luckily for me, is in the top 10 in the nation. I ended up getting a job in pediatric dentistry (VERY BORING by the way, but at least I ruled out a DMD). The project I coordinate here focuses on young children with severe cavities. Anyway, while working wtih these families I became fascinated by the interaction between family members, particularly in these young children. I realized that I've always loved working with kids of preschool age and found a way to tie in my interest in developmental psychopathology and parent-child interactions. Now I've found my way into a lab that does just that (and I'm SO EXCITED).
I just though I'd go through my round-about way of finding my niche. I realized that I had always sworn off child psychology because it seemed like everyone wanted to work with kids. But if thats where I'm happiest then I'm just glad to have figured it out sooner rather than later!