Alright, buckle up, because I’m about to spill the beans on my quest to snag some summer psychology internships as an undergrad. It was a wild ride, let me tell you!
Okay, so first things first, I started by admitting to myself that I knew absolutely nothing. Zero. Zip. Nada. About how to actually get one of these coveted internships. I mean, I had good grades and was genuinely interested in psychology, but that’s about where it ended. So, step one: research. I spent hours (and I mean hours) scouring the internet, reading blog posts (like this one!), and hitting up my university’s career services website.
Next, I made a list. A long list. Of every single psychology internship I could find. I’m talking hospitals, research labs, non-profits, private practices… you name it, it was on the list. I wasn’t picky at this point; I just wanted to see what was out there. I even created a spreadsheet (yes, I’m that person) to keep track of application deadlines, requirements, and any notes I had about each program. Trust me, it helped a ton when things got hectic.
Then came the hard part: actually crafting my application materials. I started with my resume, which needed a serious overhaul. I tweaked it to highlight any relevant coursework, research experience (even if it was just a small class project), and any volunteer work I’d done that involved working with people. I also wrote a cover letter that I actually put effort into. No generic templates here! I tailored each one to the specific internship, highlighting why I was interested in that particular program and how my skills and experiences aligned with their needs.
Now, the real fun began: the applications themselves. Oh boy, the applications. Some were short and sweet, while others felt like they were designed to torture aspiring psychology interns. I filled out countless forms, wrote essays about my passion for psychology, and begged professors for letters of recommendation. I cannot stress this enough: ask for those recommendations early! Professors are busy people, and you don’t want to be scrambling at the last minute.
While I was waiting to hear back from places, I decided to network a bit. I reached out to a couple of psychology professors at my university who had connections in the field and asked if they had any advice. I even attended a virtual career fair and chatted with recruiters from different organizations. It was a bit nerve-wracking, but it helped me learn more about the different types of internships available and made me feel more confident about my chances.
Then, the rejections started rolling in. And they kept coming. It was tough, I’m not gonna lie. I definitely had a few moments where I felt like giving up. But I reminded myself why I wanted this in the first place and kept pushing forward. I analyzed my applications to see if there were any areas I could improve and kept applying to new opportunities.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, I got an interview! I prepared like crazy, researching the organization, practicing my answers to common interview questions, and coming up with thoughtful questions to ask the interviewer. The interview itself was surprisingly relaxed, and I felt like I made a good connection with the interviewer.
And then… I got the offer! I literally jumped up and down when I saw the email. All that hard work had finally paid off. I accepted the offer immediately and spent the rest of the day celebrating.
So, what did I learn from this whole experience? Well, a few things:
- Start early! The earlier you start your search, the more opportunities you’ll have.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Professors, career counselors, and even upperclassmen can offer valuable advice and support.
- Tailor your application materials. Generic applications are a waste of time.
- Don’t give up! Rejection is part of the process. Just keep learning and improving.
Overall, landing a summer psychology internship was one of the best things I did as an undergrad. It gave me invaluable experience, helped me narrow down my career interests, and opened doors to future opportunities. So, if you’re thinking about applying for psychology internships, go for it! It’s definitely worth the effort.
