Despite his packed schedule — school, national-level debating, yearbook editor and a starring role in the spring musical, to name a few, senior Timothy Leung has also been managing to run the Instagram account for Skaneateles Psychology Associates, a private practice group based in New York that supports the need for high-quality mental health care in their nearby community.
Every two weeks, he creates engaging infographics that educate followers and apply physiological concepts. For example, Leung once made a graphic on confirmation bias illustrating why holiday family dinners can be so contentious — each person tends to cling onto their own beliefs, making smooth discourse challenging.
Leung’s brother, William, a junior at Cornell University, introduced this opportunity to him in October of 2023. The job posting was initially intended for Cornell students, but his brother encouraged him to apply because the company didn’t have any limits on applicants. Although the company had never had a high school student work for them before, once Leung made some sample graphics, they told him he stood out enough to land the job.
“I really enjoy graphic design. I’m also very interested in psychology, especially its real world applications,” he said. “Having an opportunity that gives me work experience was really enticing.”
Leung initially started as an unpaid intern in his sophomore year, co-managing the position remotely with a Cornell student. However, when his coworker was let go, Leung took full responsibility of the role, being promoted to a paid position in June of last year.
Beyond running their Instagram account, Leung also designs promotional posters for the company’s events, including partnerships with local New York schools that organize concerts and community programs. Some examples include celebrating a faculty member’s award for Psychologist of the Year or advertising for Skaneateles Psychology Associates in various musical playbills of local elementary school musicals.
For Leung, this job takes around two hours per week, but he finds it to be more than just a resumé booster or a way to earn money, as he does it to learn more about one of his passions.
“Often, students only have access to conventional jobs like retail, so I feel lucky to have a job that allows me to combine many of my passions such as design and psychology in a unique way,” Leung said.
