“When I lived in Iran as a child someone gave me some psychology and sociology textbooks, and I was fascinated. Learning about the human psyche, understanding how we relate to each other and how we differ was a revelation. I never looked back.”
Why did you decide to go to university?
“From a very young age I was absorbed in reading and wanted to learn as much as possible. I was home schooled when I lived in Iran as a child. I learned subjects because I wanted to learn those subjects. It didn’t feel like a chore. I was desperate to go to university from a very young age, because I just loved learning!
Living in a country where women have so few rights, I just wanted my independence and freedom
“Also living in a country where women have so few rights, I just wanted my independence and freedom. For me knowledge is power and going to university as a young woman, after moving back to the UK, was the most empowering thing I could’ve done.”
How did you decide which subject to study?
“When I lived in Iran as a child someone gave me some psychology and sociology textbooks, and I was fascinated by what I was reading. Learning about the human psyche, understanding how we relate to each other and how we differ was a revelation. I never looked back. I was 14 when I knew I wanted to study psychology.
I was watching a lot of X-Files and reading true crime books, which made me want to join the FBI or be a detective.
“Also, around about the same time I was watching a lot of X-Files and reading true crime books, which made me want to join the FBI or be a detective. I thought studying psychology would be the first step to that career path.”
What did you do after graduation and why did you choose that path?
“Whilst studying for my psychology degree I soon went off the idea of working for the FBI or becoming a detective. After I graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Psychology, I went on to do a MSc in Health Psychology.
“I decided on health psychology after taking a related optional module at university, where I found the subject appealing. Health Psychology is all about how different psychological factors, such as mental health, personality, and different mindsets can affect our physical health – like how it can lead to actual immune responses! My mind was blown.”
Tell us about any career highs… and any lows too that you have learnt from
“I’ll start with the career low…. After my MSc, I wasn’t quite sure what I wanted to do. Becoming a Health Psychologist seemed like more years of study, and it put me off. I wanted to work and earn some money, but I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do anymore. I applied for research assistant roles and assistant psychology roles, but never had much luck. I ended up working in a few different administrative roles over three years just to pay the bills, as well as doing some voluntary work here and there as a research assistant. I felt like everything I’d learned at university had gone to waste. I felt quite low about myself.
I ended up working in a few administrative roles to pay the bills, as well as doing some voluntary work as a research assistant. I felt like everything I’d learned at university had gone to waste. I felt quite low about myself.
“Towards the end of those three years, I did some voluntary work at the University of Sussex for six months as a research assistant in the Psychology Department working with Prof. Susan Ayers. I had a part-time office job too, just to pay the bills. Susan allowed me to work on some eye-opening projects on women’s mental health and wellbeing. I managed to gain some great experience to put on my CV and got my name on a research paper too. As a result, I got my confidence back. Susan really believed in me, and I began to believe in myself. I was encouraged to apply for a fully funded PhD on memory in people with dementia that was being advertised at Sussex University. So I applied for it, and low and behold I was accepted for the scholarship.
The PhD was definitely the highlight of my career journey and it really spring-boarded the rest of my career”
“I left my office job and embarked on a 5-year full-time PhD under the supervision of Prof. Jenny Rusted. I was awarded the Michael Chowen (a local businessmen and philanthropist) Scholarship, which paid for my fees, and a living wage. I was ecstatic! The PhD was definitely the highlight of my career journey and it really springboarded the rest of my career.”
![sara balouch](https://blogs.brighton.ac.uk/hums/files/2024/07/IMG_8907-002-200x300.jpg)
At what point did you decide that you wanted to teach others?
“During my PhD which was both amazing and terrifying at the same time, I was given the opportunity to teach undergraduate students as part of my training. When I taught a seminar for the first time, I wanted the ground to swallow me whole. It definitely wasn’t something I felt natural at. But over time and with continued practice, I gained confidence in teaching and actually started to enjoy it. I wanted to believe and encourage students, like my mentors did for me.”
Was there ever a point where you doubted yourself – where you felt that you weren’t going to achieve your goals?
“All the time! At numerous stages of my career journey, I’ve doubted myself and felt like I wasn’t going to achieve my goals. Imposter Syndrome is real. When I was given my first Lecturer position at BPP University, I was always worried that someone would realise I was not lecturer material. That doubt just made me work even harder. Sometimes to the detriment of my health and that is not something I encourage. Although, I’m much more confident now, doubt can creep in at stressful times. When this happens, I try to remind myself of everything I’ve achieved. Then I’ll go and do some yoga or spend some time on the beach. Those doubts soon wash away.”
Find out about studying Psychology at the University of Brighton.
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