Author: Sara Hameed
How did you decide upon a career in research? Or, was there a specific point in your education or professional career where you decided to pursue research?
I knew I wanted to be a clinician and thought I would eventually go into private practice. Having benefited from my own therapy experiences, I felt that providing therapy full-time would be a meaningful career path. When applying to graduate programs, I applied and interviewed at several PsyD programs, and it was during the interviews themselves, when talking to faculty and meeting fellow peers, that I realized I didn’t want a solely clinical career. I found myself increasingly intrigued by the research questions that faculty were asking. As I learned more about the field, I noticed that many research topics related to diversity and the populations I was most interested in were not being researched enough, which made me realize there was still important work to be done and that motivated me to become more involved in research. What I like about research is that it combines many of my interests, including writing, clinical work, and creativity. One of the things I like most is that I get to wear a lot of different hats, which keeps the work interesting.
What is one of the most important qualities in the mentors that you’ve had?
One of the most important qualities in the mentors I’ve had is faith in me as a mentee and enthusiasm. The mentors who have had the greatest impact on me were the ones who believed in me more than I believed in myself at certain points in my career. I also think mentors should have the right balance of encouragement with practicality. It is important to have someone who understands the realities of the job and can help you think through the details. The third quality is compassion and empathy. To me, mentors do not need to necessarily share
the same identity or background as their mentees, but I think it is important that they appreciate different experiences and backgrounds and remain curious about those that may differ from their own.
Which professional conference do you try to never miss?
One conference I try not to miss is the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS) Annual Meeting. It is a conference that I always look forward to attending and one that I have found valuable throughout my career.
What does work/life balance mean to you? What is your favorite recreation/pastime when you are away from the office?
My definition of work-life balance and my preferred recreational activities especially have changed significantly throughout my life and career. I always try to be very intentional about maintaining boundaries. I try not to answer emails after 5 p.m., I leave work at 4 p.m. each day, and I try not to work on weekends. If I do work on the weekend, it is usually because it is something I want to do for myself or for one of my students rather than administrative work.
Even with those boundaries, I sometimes catch myself thinking about work when I am away from the office, so I try to be mindful of that as well. When that happens, I often ask myself whether something truly needs my attention right now or if it can wait until Monday so that I can stay present in what I’m doing. Outside of work, I enjoy cooking, gardening, and spending time with my family and my son, Kai. Before having Kai, I salsa danced frequently, and I hope to get back to it eventually. I also love art and used to spend a lot of time painting in my youth.
If you hadn’t become a psychologist, what might you have done instead?
My practical answer would be an obstetrics doctor. OB was an area I was particularly interested in and could have seen myself pursuing. If we are talking about a dream or fantasy career, I would probably have become a graphic designer, artist, or dancer.