As a Psychologist, Ananti Rajasingam’s dream of embarking in the field of Psychology started at HELP when she desired to learn more about the mind and how it works. “My most memorable experience in Psychology was being a student of Dr Goh. He has always made Psych 101 so interesting, and he has such a charismatic personality. I remember looking forward to attending his classes without fail.”

It was this aspiration to understand and study the human nature of Psychology that showed Ananti Rajasingam that a Psychology education offers a unique perspective to many possibilities, especially when contributing to impactful humanitarian efforts.

In Ananti Rajasingam’s words, “my advice would be for students to take advantage of what HELP University’s Psychology programme has to offer and enjoy the process of learning as the process itself will create a meaningful experience and a pleasant journey. The humanitarian field needs more Psychology graduates to serve the people and communities.”

Once she completed her Master in Rehabilitation Counselling in University of South Australia (UniSA), Ananti Rajasingam returned to Malaysia and began her illustrious career in social work in 2009, eventually serving as the Chief Executive Officer of Yayasan Chow Kit, a 24-7 crisis centre that aims to provide safe havens for children who are at-risk, while offering them with positive and holistic opportunities for them to reach their full potential.

Owning her Psychology degree, Ananti Rajasingam said, “A solid foundation in the field of psychology education has proven to be an invaluable asset in my pursuit of meaningful work in the humanitarian sector.”

“Delving into the intricacies of human behaviour, emotions, and the underlying psychological factors has empowered me to connect with and support children and communities in a more impactful way.” In her words, “utilising psychologically informed approaches has been a game-changer, enhancing my communication, empathy, and conflict-resolution skills. These skills are essential when working with trauma survivors, displaced populations, and underserved, vulnerable groups.”

Ananti Rajasingam highlights one of the theories she learned during her Psychology programme, The Theory of Classical Conditioning, which relates to how we as humans learn through our actions and consequences. “While working with children, I constantly read patterns of behaviours through this theory, and it helps me modify/support children in many ways. Many other theories that I have learnt in Psychology and counselling can be easily used for day-to-day living and experience.”

Ananti Rajasingam has had her fair share of challenges and the main challenge always is fighting against a weak system of Child Protection issues in Malaysia. She is grateful that studying Psychology has made her more resilient which helped her continue the advocacy towards Government agencies to bring change to the field without burning out or giving up.

As a social worker for a child protection agency, Ananti Rajasingam’s career has created a ton of personal success stories. One vividly stands out when she helped rescue an abused ten-year-old girl who wanted to become a nurse but due to her refugee status, was unable to do so in Malaysia. Fortunately, once she turned sixteen, the foundation helped her apply for resettlement to the US and the girl is currently working as a medical assistant in a hospital.

For students looking to branch outside from a traditional Psychology-related career, Ananti Rajasingam said, “non-profit sectors do not pay as much as corporates do. But while the pay is lower, the satisfaction obtained is so much higher and meaningful. Humanitarian work is like finding a purpose and can be quite exciting. If you have a strong heart filled with empathy and compassion, please join this field. The satisfaction one receives from this sector is priceless.

In Ananti Rajasingam’s words, “My advice would be for students to take advantage of what HELP University’s Psychology programme has to offer and enjoy the process of learning as the process itself will create meaningful experience and a pleasant journey. The humanitarian field needs more Psychology graduates to serve the people and communities.”

About Yayasan Chow Kit

Yayasan Chow Kit was founded by Dato Dr Hartini Zainudin. The foundation is a non-profit organisation located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The organization provides food, shelter, and other essential necessities to the homeless and underprivileged communities. They also offer education and vocational training programs to help these individuals become self-sufficient. Yayasan Chow Kit has been operating for over 30 years and has helped thousands of people in need.

For more info on how you can help volunteer your time or have any other questions, visit: https://yck.org.my/