BA in Child Development

My name is Jade Yelton, and I am currently a senior here at California State University, Chico. I am from a town in between San Diego and Los Angeles called Temecula. If someone told me four years ago that I would be getting my bachelor’s degree in Child Development, then I would have laughed. However, here I am four years later getting ready to graduate with my bachelor’s degree in Child Development. I knew that I wanted to make a positive impact in children’s lives, and that is why I made the final decision to switch my major. Being a Child Development major here at Chico State has given me so many amazing opportunities that I am beyond grateful for. This past summer, I was given the incredible opportunity to intern for the Navy’s Child and Youth Program at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Washington. I went into it not knowing exactly what I would be doing, but I believe that that is what made it so exciting for me. Growing up, my dad was in the United States Coast Guard, so I had an idea of what these children were going through. I felt so grateful to be caring for the families that are serving our country. The Navy’s Child and Youth Program falls under a program called Fleet and Family Readiness, which provides aid to military families in all different aspects of their lives. Not only did I get the chance to see what it was like working for their Child and Youth Program, but I was also able to see what all of the other programs entailed. I am currently the President of Chico State’s Child Development Student Association. I never would have expected myself holding an officer position of a club, but I am so glad that I am. Child Development Association has introduced me to some amazing people, and it has shown me all of what I can do with my Child Development degree. With all this being said, I would not be who I am today if it was not for all of the incredible opportunities that I have had by being a Child Development major here at Chico State.