Okay, so you wanna know about my experience getting psych internships in high school? Buckle up, it was a ride!
Phase 1: The “I Think I Like Psychology” Stage
It all started sophomore year. I took AP Psych mostly ’cause my friends were doing it. Honestly? I was hooked! Learning about how the brain works, why people do the crazy stuff they do… it was fascinating. So, I started thinking, “Hey, maybe I could actually do something with this?”
Phase 2: The “Okay, Where Do I Even Start?” Google Deep Dive
Next, Google became my best friend (and worst enemy). I literally typed in “psychology internships for high schoolers” and prepared to be overwhelmed. Most of the “internships” I found were either super competitive summer programs that cost a fortune (nope!) or volunteer gigs that were… well, not exactly what I was looking for. Lots of data entry, not a lot of actual psychology.
Phase 3: The “Networking is Key (Even When You’re Awkward)” Phase
I realized I needed to get creative. I started by talking to my AP Psych teacher. She was awesome! She suggested reaching out to professors at local universities. Seemed scary, but I figured, what’s the worst that could happen? So I started emailing. I found a professor whose research focused on adolescent development (perfect!) and sent him a carefully crafted email explaining my interest and asking if he had any opportunities for high school students. I honestly didn’t expect a response.
Phase 4: The “Holy Crap, Someone Actually Replied!” Moment
He replied! And not just some generic “no thanks” email. He invited me to chat about his research! I was so nervous, I practiced what I wanted to say in the mirror for like an hour. Turns out, he needed help with data collection for a study he was running. It wasn’t exactly glamorous (lots of coding surveys), but it was real research! And it got my foot in the door.
Phase 5: The “Actually Doing the Thing” Part
- I spent about 10 hours a week at the university lab.
- I learned how to use SPSS (a statistical software package – don’t ask, it’s boring but useful).
- I helped recruit participants for the study.
- And yes, I did a lot of data entry.
But the best part? I got to sit in on lab meetings and hear the professor and his grad students discuss their findings. I felt like I was actually part of something meaningful.
Phase 6: The “Second Internship, Here I Come!” Stage
The next summer, I used my experience from the university lab to apply for a research internship at a local hospital. This time, I was working with psychologists who were treating patients with anxiety disorders. It was a completely different experience, but equally valuable. I got to observe therapy sessions (with patient consent, of course!), learn about different treatment approaches, and even help create educational materials for patients.
Phase 7: The “Lessons Learned” Wrap-Up
So, what did I learn from all this? A few things:
- Don’t be afraid to reach out to people. The worst they can say is no.
- Networking is HUGE. Talk to your teachers, professors, anyone who might have connections.
- Be open to different kinds of experiences. Even if an internship doesn’t sound perfect, it can still be a great learning opportunity.
- And most importantly, be proactive! You gotta hustle to find these opportunities. They’re not gonna fall into your lap.
Honestly, these internships were some of the best experiences I had in high school. They not only solidified my interest in psychology but also gave me a huge leg up when I applied to college. Plus, they just looked really good on my resume!
So, yeah, that’s my story. Hope it helps! Good luck!
