Kalie Kostelnik

I’m a life skills counselor, which entails working with youth between the ages of 14 and 23 who are or were in the foster care system. I teach them important life skills (obtaining employment/ pursuing higher education/ budgeting/ obtaining drivers permit and license/ etc.) so when they age out of foster care, they are well equipped with the life skills and tools needed to become an independent adult. 

I’ve always seen myself working with youth in foster care, because the system is very broken. I wanted to be that consistent person in their life and help make the system better in any way I could, even if it’s being able to advocate for the youth. 

While majoring in HSJ I’ve learned a lot. They do an awesome job at teaching the students to be trauma informed as well as coping skills we can do for our self if we feel burn out because this career is a hard, but rewarding job. I definitely have taken those two lessons into what I do today. 

The thing I enjoy the most about my job is the different kids I work with each and every day. I’m able to make a difference in these youths’ lives. Seeing them grow into young adults is very rewarding. 

I was interested in Penn College immediately, because of the hands-on learning and small classes. In HSJ, we did internships and actually got a taste of what a day in the life of any HSJ careers would look like. The professors were amazing and cared about the students they taught.

I think I would explain it as a small community, but a mighty family! Everyone on campus grew up in different backgrounds, cultures, etc. and despite difference (if any) we were able to come together and just learn about the different perspectives on life and do that with an open mindset.