Kristen Cheser
Staff Writer
Layla Elmi said she has enjoyed her time as a teaching assistant (TA) and enjoys being able to keep her career path open-ended with her studies.
Elmi said she has always been interested in human behavior. Studying psychology, she said, allows her to look at human behavior but also keep her options open when she graduates.
“I am quite grateful to have chosen a career path that will allow me to help others in multiple capacities,” Elmi said. “Whether I work directly with clients on addressing challenges they are experiencing, or if I work on a research project that adds to existing theory and knowledge, the possibilities are endless! The potential for making a direct impact on people and society at large is a huge reason why I chose this path.”
Elmi is in her second year of her clinical psychology graduate program and is a TA for one class. She said every TA has a different experience depending on the class they are assisting. The class she is currently assisting helped her realize she enjoys teaching.
“While being a TA can be very time-consuming, I believe that if I’m able to play a small part in a student’s academic development then it is definitely worthwhile,” Elmi said.
With limited time for herself, Elmi said she spends what she can on self-care and her hobbies.
“I definitely make an effort to make time for self-care and hobbies despite the many responsibilities I have as a graduate student. I love escaping in a book, lifting at the gym, or going on a hike with my pup. It’s all about the simple pleasures,” Elmi said.
Elmi is currently conducting a study for her master thesis and said she has been enjoying the process.
“I feel so grateful to be able to experience conducting my own research in an area that I am very passionate about.”
After graduation, Elmi said she hopes to fulfill her dream of travelling to Japan but as her career goes, she is leaving it open in case her interests change. For now, she said she looks forward to an opportunity to work with clients, be a part of research and teach a class of her own.
