Aislinn Bornais
- Honours Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a Concentration in Health & Wellness (2024)
Aislinn graduated in 2024 with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, concentrating in Health & Wellness. She is now pursuing an M.A. in Counselling Psychology while working as a Psychometrist at Borovay Psychological Services.
“Definitely keep your options open. Don’t be afraid to try new things, even if they seem daunting at first, and believe in your own ability to develop skills (but also don’t be afraid to ask for help!). If you want to explore something further but don’t know if you’re ready to fully commit to that as a career, look for certification courses and/or reach out to others already doing that job and hear from them. Embrace flexibility as you graduate, you might change your mind about your future path many, many times!”
Brief description of what I do!
As a Psychometrist, I perform psycho-educational assessment testing to inform a diagnosis for ADHD, LDs, ASD, Anxiety, Depression, etc. I work in a team alongside a psychologist to help families get support for their children. Our assessments include the administration and scoring of questionnaires, standardized testing materials, and interviewing. We look at the areas of cognitive functioning, academic abilities, memory, attention, visual-motor integration, and more as needed.
What inspired your career path after graduation?
I wanted to work directly in the field while maintaining a flexible schedule to pursue graduate studies.
How did your experience in the psychology program shape your journey?
Grounded experience-wise; connecting with others and exploring specialized topics really shaped what areas I did and did not want to pursue further. Hearing from others about what niches, jobs, and opportunities exist out there also expanded my view of the field. I would say, I learned a lot from staying 10-15 minutes after classes to talk with professors and other students (especially for those smaller, more specialized classes).
What skills or experiences were most valuable after graduation?
General knowledge of human development, personality styles, and abnormal psychology have been helpful for case conceptualization. I definitely use a lot of statistics as a psychometrist to determine cut-off points, and identify strengths and weaknesses.
Within psychology, I find that most people work in teams. So, collaboration and kind communication skills are paramount. My thesis class in particular was the closest class to the experiences I have now – working closely with people on similar projects, being able to ask each other questions, opinions, and share knowledge/skills.
Are there specific Psychology courses, professors, or experiences that stood out during your time at Carleton?
I’m eternally grateful to my thesis supervisor, Dr. Andrea Howard, for her guidance during and after my time at Carleton. Dr. Chad Danyluck as well, he has a wonderful teamwork-oriented lab that really helped develop my clinical skills. Among my favourite professors were Michael Runtz, Dr. John Weekes, and Dr. Alia Offman; all took their passion into their teaching.
What has been a highlight or proud moment in your career so far?
I think every child I connect with and family we help is a highlight – I couldn’t pick just one. So, everyday is a good day and I really do love my job!