Originally from Huron, South Dakota, NSU psychology major Matthew Mayfield was a quiet high schooler, participating in Boy Scouts and soccer, but mostly keeping to himself and rarely speaking out in class.
Albeit his shy demeanor, Mayfield quickly found himself coming out of his shell when he enrolled at Northern State University's School of Education for psychology.
“I was originally choosing between NSU and Dakota Wesleyan. I found myself choosing Northern because of its class size,” said Mayfield. “I came from a very small high school, so the small class sizes of NSU were really comfortable for me.
Between professors, classmates and the organizations Mayfield joined, he became more outgoing. No longer afraid to step up and speak out, Mayfield found himself getting more involved around campus.
“I even found myself as the president for AWAREWolves for a year and a half,” he said. “I had gained the confidence I needed to achieve more. NSU helped me define my morals. It gave me more of a direction.”
Mayfield has also worked with multiple professors on research projects and his thesis.
“Working with the professors was great. My first project, my professor ended up leading me a lot, but I didn’t know what I was doing, so I was glad,” he said. “My second research project, the professor treated me more like a partner. It felt really nice because he took my opinion very seriously.”
Working at Sanford
Now a PCT at Sanford hospital, a position he gained through his good friend and recent graduate Annika van Oosbree, Mayfield gets to help people every day.
“I see a lot of materials we covered in class there,” he said. “It really shows how much NSU helped to prepare me for my future, and how it continues to help me understand patients better.”
As a PCT, Mayfield helps patients to do everyday things like eat, shower, and use the restroom. Even so, Mayfield deals with difficult patients now and then.
“There was one particularly difficult patient, and the other nurses didn’t enjoy being around them,” he said. “I think that patient was just in a bad place. But, they were very kind to me because I was patient with them. That gratitude that I get from them really makes it all worth it.”
Motivated by the Journey
On top of being a PCT at Sanford hospital, Mayfield works at the Tech Center on campus during the school year, and at Tradehome Shoes part-time. Despite such a full plate, Mayfield enjoys staying busy.
“I very much enjoy the journey. I figure that if I work hard now, I can take it easy later,” he said. “Another thing NSU has taught me is to prioritize my work and to work hard. My goal is to leave a big impact on those around me, and I can’t do that by slacking off.”
Influenced by his parents, both very successful in their field, Mayfield aspires to be successful too.
“I want to give back to people. The Boy Scouts, my soccer team, my church. Most of all, my parents,” he said. “I want to be able to take care of them when they get older, as well as support a wife.”
Helping Others
Mayfield’s biggest goal is to become a doctor, and to be the best person he can while helping others in need.
“Money and power mean very little to me; you can have as much of it as you want. But, if you don’t do anything good with it—well, I don’t see that as successful,” he said. “Leaving a positive mark on society, as well as the ecosystem, and helping is definitely more important.”
Now, studying medicine as well as psychology at NSU, Mayfield hopes to go into a field such as psychiatry, neurology or cardiology, in hopes of taking care of patient’s bodies and minds.