#ShapedbyCSU: The third choice that led an alumna to become psych’s first international scholar 

Narratives of redirection amidst uncertainties have long been familiar in the landscape of feature stories. It has always been the path chosen beyond desire, and setting it as the foreground for inspiration. Yet, a psychology alumna from Caraga State University has her own version of it—traveling farther than borders.

Meet Kate Natalie Bantillan, a 24-year-old registered psychometrician, a former lecturer in the Department of Psychology, and a proud product of CSU. Stretching her curve in the field of mental health, she is currently taking her Master’s Degree by Research in Psychology at Universitas Diponegoro in Indonesia (UNDIP), marking the first international scholar in the department. 

Her current standpoint is not actualized along the path she longed to take. Everything aligned serendipitously, far from her supposed pursuit. 

When Plan B becomes Path A

Nurtured within the cradle of her grandparents in Butuan City, little Kate grew up in a complex family tree, bouncing back and forth between her paternal and maternal custody. The moment she set foot into tertiary education, psychology was not even the priority, so is CSU.

Surrounded by alumni from a known private university at home, the psychometrician primarily aimed to be admitted to the university, where her dream program, accountancy, was offered. Yet, due to practical considerations and familial motivation, she chose CSU, and her admission process did not go as smoothly as expected. 

The dilemma of program selection got her conflicted. During her batch, enrollees were deemed to settle on a program based on their top three priority list, with consideration given to their CSUAT results. Hers would be electronics engineering, statistics, and lastly, psychology. Kate’s interests are aligned with natural sciences, especially in mathematics; hence, choosing engineering. However, her grandmother disliked it for personal reasons, so she chose to become a statistician. With the turn of events, statistics drained out of slots. She was then left with no choice but to pursue a career in psychology.  

“Why not choose psychology? Maybe that’s for you,” an aunt of hers who worked as an administrative staff member in the Department of Health – Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation Center – Caraga threw a question to Kate that completely shifted the trajectory of her career. Being at the pedestal, understanding the mind and behavior was never placed in the international scholars. Given the circumstances, with a courageous heart, she pursued and navigated.

“So, that’s where I’ve started my psychology journey. It’s kind of not really planned. But I think it is God’s plan, not mine.” Kate noted that she seized this opportunity to explore her identity and to balance the expectations people had of her. 

Living the calling

What was supposed to be her last resort grew into something bigger. Despite the blurry route, there have been realizations that pan in her senses. Her curiosity with people—how they heal, cope, and propagate—set the stage for further learning. “I feel like my family sees something in me that I am fit for the field; maybe because of my behavior, my personality. They kind of see me as someone who works as a counselor or a psychologist,” she shared. 

More than the theories, the psychometrician noted how delving into psychology molded her into someone better. The journey has taught her compassion and patience that the department instills as early as freshman orientation. Simply, those were the core of being a psych student, which eventually helped her progress academically, personally, and emotionally.

Surviving major courses was one thing, but making the most of the experience was another. Amidst the academic challenges, the rollercoaster ride of being a CSUan left her with a sense of the importance of interaction and socialization with peers—something she did not fully attain during her stay. Along with the books, Kate still has not unleashed her heart for numbers and fiscal matters. She also enjoyed serving as an officer of the CSU Psychology Society and the CSU College of Humanities and Social Sciences Local Student Government, serving as treasurer for years. 

“After all of the personal experiences, the bottom line is to always be humble in everything. It’s just there to give you motivation or to boost your ego, but it’s not something to bring up until your death,” the psychologist-in-the-making exclaimed. 

Etching these notions into her daily hustle in school, she led her to finish her undergraduate program with flying colors. Now with her degree in hand, she is more than equipped to sail farther.

Faith and plans for the academe

Right after graduation in 2023, the pressure of adulting began creeping in. Although in rough times, doors opened for her instantaneously. CSU Psychology Department hired lecturers from its alumnae, and she became one of them on the roster. “I applied many times before, but I always pray to God to place me in academe. Because I feel more relaxed and my skills and talents are more used if I am in the academe.” Kate emphasized.  For a semester in 2024, she took a break in teaching as she prepared for another milestone: the Board Licensure Examination for Psychometrician. It was August 20 when she returned to the department, and the same day for the release of results. With prayers and a hint of apprehension, she got her psychometrician license on her first try. 

From then on, Kate continued to broaden her horizons in teaching and research, with her co-faculty members providing guidance. Now, as a developing professional, she reflected on how enrolling in an institution capable of growth could expedite your ascent.  

“CSU is a very commendable university, not just because of its vision and mission, but because of the core values it shares with its students. It led us to be the best people, someone who can give more than mediocracy: like in leadership, academics, research, and extracurricular activities.”

In addition, steering her professional quest further, humility guided her work principles, coupled with a teachable mindset. For her, it maneuvers her to seek more knowledge about things for the proper execution of whatever job is assigned to her. Above all, she highlighted her trust in God as one of the driving forces behind plans with no direction. 

“You have to surround yourself with someone you look up to, someone you want to be with, someone who supports you, someone who loves you, and never underestimate your experiences,” Kate advised incoming CSUans. “But don’t be afraid to walk on your own path.” 

Rooted in the teachings, she now bore what she had plotted from these feats. With years of doubt and vague walkways, what else could possibly await her on her way? 

Unfinished yet unfolding

As mentioned above, Kate is now in Indonesia, pursuing a Master’s Degree by Research in Psychology, chasing a dream that was once dust in the wind. Tracking this field, her niche leans more toward investigating digital competence and parasocial attachment to artificial intelligence. 

Her exposure to deeper research in psychology rang a bell in her. Aside from completing her master’s degree, she aims to establish a research lab or research group focused on student-assistantship programs when she returns home to the Philippines. This targets to help student-researchers achieve their research goals, and invites faculty to publish their research. Though the idea is kind of grand and has a long way to go, she intends to contribute to CSU to become a more research-oriented university. 

As of the moment, as she always claims, her story has not yet been structurally founded. There are instances where she could go free-going. Notwithstanding reaching heights, she continuously believes that whatever she is right now is still part of her identity-finding—no certainty, no solid assurance. 

Her journey as a psychology major kicked off with uncertainties of what-could-have-beens. She expands her competency as a psychology graduate, still with uncertainties. Perhaps that is where the thrill of life lies—the constant search for ourselves. 

Kate’s version of redirection urged her to go beyond what her past self would have expected of her. Venturing across time zones, she carries nothing but faith, not plans. Yet, wherever life currents drift her away, one thing is for sure that she wears the embodiment of a Golden Paddler, which shaped her for years.