Psi Chi launches a new Peer Counselor program

During the Student Involvement Fair last semester, many students expressed interest in being connected with a psychology peer mentor. As a result of this interest, Psi Chi has launched a new Peer Counselor Program this semester. The goal of the program is to connect students to upperclassman who can serve as mentors and friends who can help you navigate the many facets of college life.

Fourth-year psychology major Shreya Jha has been selected as the first peer counselor. In this role, Shreya will facilitate various mentally healthy activities ranging from attending a Bulls game to planning a trip to an orchestra performance. 

Get to know Shreya below. If you are interested in participating in a much needed break from class or simply need someone to talk to, contact Shreya directly at sjha1@hawk.iit.edu.

Tell us about yourself.

I was born in India. Our family moved about a lot, and I changed schools quite often as a result. Although I became quick to adapt to situations, I hardly formed close bonds with friends as I saw these relationships as temporary. I was also exposed to different countries and cultures, and that has probably played a role in my eagerness to learn about differences among us, and to approach them as a benefit rather than as a strain.

At Illinois Tech, I have formed strong bonds with other people. These friends became the family I chose for myself—they taught me basic life skills, listened to my frustrations when I needed them, tried to teach me other languages and so on. So I realize the importance of these bonds. In my role as a Peer Counselor, I look forward to forming appropriate bonds, and engage in a two-way learning process. 

What are some of your interests?

I like to read books that help provide a deeper meaning to my life and actions in an indirect manner: Paulo Coelho's Alchemist, Rowling's Harry Potter and Dan Brown's Inferno happen to be in my long list of favorite books. I do watch anime, and a few of my favorite ones are Fullmetal Alchemist and Attack on Titan. Words from both books and manga that I relate to, and can learn from are often printed out and put up on my wall in form of a collage.

I try to make the most of my life and engage in as many activities as I can. I love backpacking and adventure sports, and try to travel as frequently as possible. It helps me remove my preconceived notions about how the world is, and how it works. It helps me differentiate my own small perspective and the media reports, from reality. A few of my favorite places are in Thailand and China, although no place can compete with the familiarity of Chicago and the cities I grew up in. 

What are your career goals?

I am interested in becoming an industrial-organizational psychologist. I also hope to have a second career that would allow me to take adequate risks with my life choices, and help me attain financial freedom. I also aim for comprehensive growth in terms of resources, knowledge, etc. in her future career.

Why are you excited to become a peer counselor?

Building relationships with people is important to me. As a peer counselor, I will strive to build and maintain long-lasting and positive relationships with my mentees. I would like to utilize my strengths as a nurturing human being and to introduce my mentees to an array of activities and organizations that I have been a part of, and grown with. I understand that this is a two-way learning process and look forward to the opportunity to grow with my mentees as well.