This spring quarter, the Graduate Student Resource Center and Career Services welcomes a new Graduate Career Peer Advisor, Ida Taghavi. Ida is a native Californian who is currently a PhD student in Counseling, Clinical, and School Psychology at UCSB. We chatted with her about her research interests, her passion for mentorship, and her love of yoga!
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HER STORY
I grew up in Orange County, California with my parents, older brother, and beloved chihuahua. My parents immigrated from Iran to the U.S. in the 1970s, which makes me a first generation Iranian-American. I took my first psychology class in high school and I fell in love with the subject. I continued on to study psychology at San Francisco State University, Regents University London, and Teachers College, Columbia University. Apart from my involvement in research, I took various counseling positions at local non-profit organizations that focused on providing resources and promoting resilience for inner-city, at-risk individuals. I am currently pursuing similar interests as a doctoral student in clinical psychology at UCSB.
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HER RESEARCH INTERESTS
My research interests in clinical psychology include understanding the factors of risk and resilience in underserved populations, as well as the development, implementation, and dissemination of community-based prevention and intervention. I am particularly interested in the role of mindfulness and mindfulness-based interventions in promoting resilience and well-being.
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FUN FACTS
When I am not in school or working, I am usually doing yoga (or teaching yoga), running or biking outdoors, singing and playing music, traveling, or finding good coffee and food with people.
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HER ROLE AS THE CAREER PEER
As the new Grad Career Peer, I am excited to connect and collaborate with departments across campus and develop workshops, programs, and events to assist graduate students in their career development. I have always had a love for mentorship and professional development, and I recently was a teaching assistant for a class on educational and vocational guidance. I am happy to help my peers in this way!
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Welcome, Ida!
