Miranda Keith

“I have a million different passions and I’m pursuing every one of them."

-Miranda Keith

Miranda Keith hopes to work with at-risk youth in a shelter setting, and eventually lecture on parenthood, adverse childhood experiences, and trauma informed care. In her free time, Miranda enjoys spending time with her children, writing poetry, and advocating for youth as a CASA volunteer. 

Miranda Keith strives to impact children’s lives

Miranda Keith aspires to help at-risk youth both during and after college. Since she was an at-risk youth herself, Miranda hopes to use her perspective to make a difference in kids’ lives.

 “I would love to work in direct care with at-risk youth in a shelter setting for a while. I would like to do administrative work. However, I really want to continue being hands on with children,” Miranda said. “Eventually I would like to be a lecturer or a professor on parenthood, adverse childhood experiences, and trauma informed care.”

Miranda transferred to Iowa State University majoring in music, but she found her true calling after taking HD FS 102, Individual and Family Development, Health, and Well-Being.

“I originally chose Iowa State [for] their music program. I love the Ames area, and wanted to major in music. However, after taking [HD FS 102] with Diana Lang my first semester, I immediately switched to child, adult, and family services, because that’s what my heart was drawing me to,” she said.

Miranda, being a teen mom, immediately felt connected to her new major and grew very dedicated to it.

“I’m a teen mom. I currently have a two year old and a one year old,” Miranda said. “I have a passion about parenthood, and child, adult, and family services. It has given me the opportunity to take that passion and mold it into something more. As a young parent, you’re often confused and judged about what the ‘best’ thing for your child is. Everything I’ve learned has not only helped me in parenthood, but in aiding me [in] my future career, to help other young parents at an at-risk youth shelter.”

Outside of her major, Miranda is passionate about many different topics, including music, animals, and entrepreneurship.

“I have a million different passions and I’m pursuing every one of them,” Miranda said.

Miranda is working toward becoming a court appointed special advocate, runs her own pet-sitting business, and continues to gain experience working at Rosedale Shelter in Ames.

Excited for the future and continuing to explore her passions, Miranda credits her professors’ support and the classes she’s taken for preparing her for her career.

“The curriculum for child, adult, and family services provides such a diverse range of material. Not only do you learn about a subject, but you truly learn how to face situations that may appear within your career working with children or families,” she said.