Name: Jod Taywaditep
Title: Staff Psychologist/Associate Director for Training
Department: Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)
Where are you from? I grew up in Thailand but I’ve lived in Chicago for 28 years.
What brought you to Student Affairs?
I was hoping to extend beyond being a university counseling center staff psychologist to take on the role of a “Training Director” who manages clinical training experience for psychologists-in-training. That position at NU CAPS opened up in 2006 and caught my attention.
How many years have you worked in Student Affairs at Northwestern? 12
What’s your favorite part about working in Student Affairs?
My Student Affairs colleagues! I am constantly in awe of their commitment, innovation, and compassion for students.
What recommendation(s) do you have for someone new to Student Affairs?
Seek out opportunities to work with other Student Affairs staff outside of your department. These interactions (consultation, collaborations, committee work, or gatherings) remind you of their wonderful contributions to Northwestern students and the university.
Who or what has had the greatest influence on your career?
A national organization of psychologists at university counseling centers around the country who hold the same responsibilities that I do at CAPS. These are folks who have administrative oversight of the doctoral internship programs at their institutions, and therefore face the same challenges and go through the same experiences as I do. They have provided me with guidance, support, and direction in my career at Northwestern.
What inspires you?
Stories of human resilience and connections inspire me.
What can’t you live without?
My podcasts: NPR Politics, Political Gabfest, Pod Save America, This American Life, Filmspotting, Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me, Song Exploder, and many more.
How do you like to spend your free time?
I run. I read. I use my camera and make digital edits of my photos. I enjoy food: eating, cooking, reading and watching TV about it.
Each week a different staff member in the division of Student Affairs will be featured. Staff can opt in to be featured, by filling out the Staff Spotlight Submission form. Student Affairs Marketing staff reach out to staff from across the division asking for participation. The spotlights will be featured in the Student Affairs Snapshot e-newsletter.