Dylan Ireland

• Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Minor in Religion & Philosophy (2025)

Dylan earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Religion & Philosophy in 2025. Dylan is now pursuing Graduate Studies in Philosophy at Carleton University. Alongside his studies, he supports student learning as a Teaching Assistant.

Brief description of what I do!

For the majority of my, life I have had a passion for helping others, finding problems, and trying to find the solution. I am not always successful. I find the more profound or widespread an issue, the more interesting the debate and ideas for possible solutions. After my bachelors in psychology and during my first year as a graduate student in philosophy, I found some issues are very old, multifaceted, and constantly changing with culture or technology. What I study at the moment concerns Meaning in Life (MiL) philosophy, which has ties to mental health, existentialism, and even politics. I am studying what brings meaning to an individuals life, what constitutes something meaningful (either subjectively or objectively), what happens when a life lacks meaning, and how a vacuum of meaning in society influences social movements.

What inspired your career path after graduation?

Following my career as a support staff in post-secondary education, I was inspired to become a teaching assistant. Instead of working on the administrative side of post-secondary education, I was excited at the opportunity to work more closely with faculty and the role of an educator.

How did your experience in the psychology program shape your journey?

My experience in the psychology program taught me primarily to be disciplined, organized, and resilient. If you really want something, you must be tough enough to pursuit your dreams despite the difficulty, yet humble enough to be grateful for every opportunity you receive.

What skills or experiences were most valuable after graduation?

The most valuable skills I applied after graduation were organization, dedication, social awareness, and openness. You need to have time management skills and to be disciplined in your studies to do well; this definitely effects your social life. You must also be able to talk with your professors or peers when you have issues, so as not to become isolated. Finally, remember that patience is a virtue: understand that when people have very different perspectives when solving an issue, they may agree or disagree on several points, but where consensus can be reached, progress is possible.

What has been a highlight or proud moment in your career so far?

One highlight of my career was when one of my mature students said, “Because of your help, I did not drop out, and I am even getting A’s. Thank you so much”. That student went on to become an addictions counsellor.