Yasmein El-Sayed
- Honours Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a Concentration in Health and Well-Being (2020)
After completing her Honours B.A. in Psychology with a Concentration in Health and Well-Being in 2020, Yasmein went on to earn her Master of Education in Counselling Psychology in 2022. She now works as a Co-Op Student Advisor at Carleton University, where she plays a key role in supporting students’ career development and experiential learning opportunities.
“I would tell students that it is completely normal for your path to change. Mine certainly did! Some of the most valuable clarity I gained came from experiences that showed me what was not the right fit. There can be a lot of pressure to have a clear plan early on, but I think clarity often comes from trying different things and learning from those experiences – volunteering, mentorship, co-op, research, part-time work, and campus involvement can all teach you something about what you enjoy, what motivates you, and where your strengths show up.
I would also encourage students to explore connections and network. Professors, alumni, mentors, advisors, and professionals in different fields can help you see possibilities you may not have considered. I was fairly shy during my undergraduate years and did not always put myself forward in that way. Looking back, I realize how valuable those conversations can be.
You do not need to know your entire path right away. You just need to stay open, pay attention to what you are learning about yourself, and take the next meaningful step.”
Brief description of what I do!
I currently work as a Co-op Student Advisor at Carleton University, where I support students throughout their co-op journey. From preparing for the job search to navigating workplace experiences, I help students build confidence, develop career skills, and make informed decisions about their next steps.
My background in psychology and counselling continues to shape how I approach advising. It has taught me the value of listening carefully, asking thoughtful questions, and supporting people through periods of uncertainty, growth, and transition.
What inspired your career path after graduation?
I’ve always been fascinated by human behaviour and understanding why people think, feel, and act the way they do. That interest is what first drew me to psychology and later to graduate studies in Counselling Psychology. When I began my master’s degree, I expected that mental health counselling would become my long-term path. Early in my graduate studies, I realized that while I liked working with and supporting people, my strongest fit was not necessarily in therapy itself. I was more drawn to helping people clarify their goals, explore possibilities, and feel more confident about their next steps.
That became especially clear during my practicum in career counselling with the federal government. I found that I genuinely enjoyed helping people identify their strengths, reflect on their experiences, and make sense of their next steps. I also realized how much I enjoyed working with students and people who were still figuring out their career direction.
Over time, that led me toward student advising and career development, where I could bring together my psychology background, counselling training, and interest in working with students. The goal never really changed. I still wanted to support people. What changed was my understanding of how I wanted to do that.
How did your experience in the psychology program shape your journey?
Psychology gave me a framework for understanding people, but it also helped me better understand myself. I entered the program with a curiosity about human behaviour, mental health, and the factors that shape how people experience the world. Over time, that curiosity became more focused.
The program helped me build important skills that I still use today, including critical thinking, communication, research literacy, and a deeper appreciation for the complexity of human behaviour. It also made me think more intentionally about the kind of work I found meaningful and where I was best suited.
Some of the most meaningful parts of my Carleton experience also happened outside the classroom. Through mentoring and volunteering opportunities, I had the chance to connect with other students and become more involved in the university community. Those experiences helped me realize how much I enjoyed working with students and played a big role in shaping the direction I took after graduation.
What skills or experiences were most valuable after graduation?
The most valuable experiences after graduation were the ones that allowed me to work directly with people. My practicum in career counselling and my work in student advising helped me develop skills that I continue to rely on every day, including active listening, communication, adaptability, and the ability to build rapport with people from different backgrounds.
One of the most important things I learned is that helping someone does not always mean having the answer for them. Often, it means creating the space for them to think clearly, recognize their own strengths, and make a decision that feels informed and realistic.
I also learned that career paths are rarely as linear as we expect them to be. Realizing that counselling was not the perfect long-term fit for me was not a setback. It was useful information. It helped me understand where my strengths were better aligned and ultimately led me to work that feels more natural and meaningful.
Are there specific Psychology courses, professors, or experiences that stood out during your time at Carleton?
A few experiences stand out when I think back on my time at Carleton. Intro to Psychology with Professor Chris Motz was one of the courses that first deepened my interest in the field and confirmed that psychology was the right area of study for me. I also really enjoyed Personality Psychology with Professor Tim Pychyl. That course encouraged a lot of self-reflection and made the material feel relevant beyond the classroom. It helped me think about behaviour, motivation, and individual differences in a way that stayed with me. Outside of the classroom, my involvement in the First Year Connections mentoring program and volunteering within the Mental Health Engagement Committee were especially meaningful. Those experiences helped me feel more connected to the university community and gave me early opportunities to support other students. They also helped me recognize that mentoring and student support were areas where I felt a strong sense of purpose.
What has been a highlight or proud moment in your career so far?
One of the highlights of my career so far has been helping students gain confidence in themselves and their abilities. Whether it’s seeing a student secure their first co-op position or leave a conversation feeling more optimistic about their next steps, those moments are very rewarding. Working at Carleton has also been a full-circle experience. This is where I began shaping my own academic and professional path, and now I get to support students as they shape theirs. That is something I feel proud of.