Helen Magdalinos

Helen works as a certified Child Life Specialist.

Balancing academics and athletics taught me resilience, time management and confidence, all of which I continue to rely on in my professional life.

Career questions with Helen

What do you love most about your work, and what inspired you to pursue this career in the first place? 

What I love most about my work as a certified Child Life Specialist is the opportunity to support children and families during some of their most challenging moments. I was inspired to pursue this career by a deep commitment to child advocacy, and a belief that compassionate, developmentally appropriate support can transform a child’s healthcare experience.

What skills have been the biggest gamechangers in your career? 

Empathy, active listening and adaptability have been the biggest gamechangers in my career. These communication skills have allowed me to connect meaningfully with children and families, support children at their developmental level, collaborate effectively with interdisciplinary teams, and respond thoughtfully to the ever-changing needs of families with compassion and confidence.

How did Concordia prepare you for your career? 

Concordia prepared me for the real world by giving me both a strong academic foundation and a strong sense of community. As a student-athlete on the women’s basketball team, I learned how important teamwork, support and accountability are. My teammates pushed me to be my best both on and off the court. Balancing academics and athletics taught me resilience, time management and confidence, all of which I continue to rely on in my professional life.

What is a standout memory from your time at Concordia? 

One of my standout memories from Concordia is the strong sense of community I experienced as a student-athlete. Many of my favorite moments come from early morning practices, traveling to nationals, and being part of the larger athletic community. The coaches, staff, physiotherapists (both staff and students) and administrators all created a warm, welcoming environment where athletes truly felt supported.

Beyond athletics, I also loved the beautiful Loyola campus and the engaging, approachable professors who made learning inspiring and enjoyable. These experiences together made my time at Concordia both memorable and meaningful.

If you could give your younger self one powerful piece of advice, what would it be?

The advice I would give my younger self (hoping I would actually listen), is this: don’t rush through life trying to become an adult. Enjoy your time as a student-athlete, and if possible, focus on just being those two things. I worked, studied full time and played basketball, all in an effort to complete everything quickly and begin my adult life. Looking back, I would tell myself to slow down. Don’t rush through things; you have plenty of time ahead of you. Life is not a race, and your passion will still be there.

What’s the most exciting shift happening in your industry right now? 

One of the most exciting shifts in the Child Life profession right now is its growth beyond traditional hospital settings. We’re seeing more opportunities in private practice, grief and bereavement support, pediatrician clinics, and working with children of adult oncology patients. Wherever there’s a need, Certified Child Life professionals are stepping in to fill it. It’s truly exciting to see the field expanding and finding new ways to support children and families both inside and outside the hospital.

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