Her Story
About Ayla
As someone who is first generation, I felt a lot of pressure to be a doctor, lawyer, or engineer, but I realized that advocacy can look very different for different people. While I was formerly pre-law for most of my time in undergrad, I came to understand that advocating for someone isn't just about referencing laws or working in a courtroom - it can be sitting down and listening to someone, hearing their stories, and talking all things feelings and reflections. This realization grew more important to me as I took more grad classes and explored different career options, which led me to where I am now in mental health counseling. My educational journey was shaped significantly by the TEEK Fellowship, which I joined when I was young and just celebrated our college graduation event. Through TEEK's support, I was able to attend the Berkeley Carroll School in Parksville, Brooklyn, a private school I never would have been able to afford otherwise. The experience there was very different from my public charter school - the demographic makeup, social experience, and class material were all different, and it really shaped who I was and what I wanted to be. I went on to NYU where I was undecided for my first two years, exploring arts and history through the liberal studies program before majoring in Applied Psychology and minoring in Global Liberal Studies. Now I'm continuing my education at NYU, getting my master's in mental health, wellness, and counseling, and through my internship at DMC, I'm getting certified for mandated reporter trainings, infection control trainings, and other related certifications.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Ayla
01What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
My boss for the Opportunity Program, Simone Francis, gave me advice that has been incredibly impactful both professionally and personally. When I first began the job, I was an immense people pleaser, and she reminded me that as a woman, and in addition to being a woman and a woman of color at that, oftentimes in the workplace and in the world, people will take advantage of folks that look like myself and her. She taught me that to not let that happen, you need to advocate for yourself. She really has taught me what advocacy means, and standing up for yourself, and not giving in to these people-pleaser tendencies. She truly showed me what womanhood really is and what it means to be a woman - she is someone that really embodies what resilience is, and she has guided me throughout my professional career.
02What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
What my tagline has been is that in this terrifying world, all we have are the connections that we make. Being able to find like-minded people, or people who challenge you academically, or intellectually, or professionally can really help change you for the better. I believe in fostering a sense of belonging and community - this is really entwined with what I want to do mental health-wise, to make people feel like they have community. When I hosted the cultural night event with over 100 people in attendance, it combined diverse experiences of folks of color, women of color, and people from different backgrounds, and a lot of people had this sense of belonging and community, which to me is what matters most.
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