Okay, let’s talk about finding those psychology internships down here in Miami. It wasn’t exactly a walk on the beach, let me tell you.
Getting Started: The Big Search
So, first thing I did was hit the computer. Just started searching, you know? Typed in all the usual stuff – “psychology intern spots Miami,” “mental health placements South Florida,” things like that. Spent hours, days really, just scrolling through listings. Some looked promising, others were like, what does that even mean?
It felt like digging through a giant pile of puzzle pieces. You see a lot of stuff, but figuring out what fits you and what places are actually taking interns right now… that’s the tricky part. Lots of places listed openings that were probably filled ages ago, or they wanted someone with way more experience than I had fresh out of coursework.
Hitting the Pavement (Sort Of)
Scrolling online only gets you so far. I realized I needed to actually, like, talk to people. Made a list of potential places: hospitals, clinics, community centers, even some schools. Places I thought might need someone with psych training, even just an intern.
- Started making calls. Man, that was something. Left a lot of messages. Got bounced around different departments. Sometimes you’d get someone helpful, other times… not so much.
- Drafted up a basic email template. Just introducing myself, attaching my resume, asking if they had any spots or knew who I should talk to. Sent out a ton of those.
- Tried reaching out to professors and anyone I knew in the field here. Networking, they call it. It helped a bit, got a couple leads that weren’t posted online.
This part was a grind. Lots of waiting, lots of “we’ll keep your resume on file,” which usually means you never hear back. You gotta have thick skin for this stuff.
Applications and Interviews: The Real Deal
When I actually found places that were accepting applications, then the real work started. Each place wanted something slightly different. Cover letters tailored just so, specific forms filled out, transcripts sent over. It was a whole process just to apply.
Managed to land a few interviews. That was nerve-wracking. You prep, you practice your answers, you try to guess what they’ll ask. I remember one interview downtown, in this big fancy building. Felt totally out of place. Another was way more relaxed, just a chat in a small clinic office. You never knew what you were walking into.
They ask you about your experience, your goals, why their place. Standard stuff, but you gotta sound like you mean it, you know? And you gotta have questions for them too. Shows you’re interested.
Finally Getting Somewhere
After all that running around, digitally and sometimes literally, I finally landed something. It wasn’t the first place I applied, not by a long shot. It was at a community mental health center. Not glamorous, but real hands-on work. Observing sessions, helping with intake paperwork, sitting in on group therapy, learning the ropes.
Looking back, the whole process was way more about persistence than anything else. You just gotta keep putting yourself out there, making those calls, sending those emails, even when it feels like you’re hitting a wall. Miami’s a busy place, lots of competition, but the opportunities are there if you dig deep enough and don’t give up easy. It took time, took effort, but I got there eventually. Learned a lot just from the search itself, honestly.
