An Undergraduate Teaching Assistant, or UTA, is a position in which undergraduate students have an opportunity to assist professors with the education of their class. This position is a valuable one for a few reasons, namely that it provides undergraduates an opportunity to strengthen their own understanding of the subject matter by having to explain it to others, and it also provides a glimpse into the profession of teaching. As well as, of course, this would provide me with an edge when it comes to the hunt for graduate schools. 

I have enjoyed my experience as a UTA. I served as one twice, for the same professor but for different classes. Those would be Psychology of Adolescents (PSYC 322) and Theories of Personality (PSYC 408). I did indeed find a greater appreciation for the subject after my time as a teaching assistant. There is a level of reflection and double, or even triple, checking facts on the subject to ensure you have the correct information. This is important, as said information is passed on to other students ensures that you strive for perfection. This course also demands a level of skill when it comes to working with people, mastering the skill of professionalism in correspondence, while still coming off as approachable is important for this role. 

My ultimate goal in my education is to become a clinical psychologist. Both of these courses appealed to me in reference to this position because of the groups I am interested in working with. I would love to work with people in the adolescents age range, as that time period of life is fascinating to me. Theories of Personality plays into this as well, as the class examines many methods of thought when it comes to understanding people and their problems. My next step in my education after I finish my Bachelors of Science is to go through a masters program in clinical psychology, so I can become a licensed therapist. Though my education will not stop there, as my end goal is to get a Psy.D in the subject.