What is an Internship?
An internship is a highly sought after work-related experience where you work under the supervision of a psychologist in order to gain some hands-on experience. You should know that many internships are very competitive, which means you should begin your search early on and not wait until you are finished with school. Many schools require you to apply for an internship a full year before you are able to take the position.
Why is an Internship so Important?
In most states, supervised psychology internships are required of anyone seeking to become a licensed psychologist, which is why they are vital and important to seek out early and not wait until the end of your studies to being applying.
In addition, it allows you to gain experience because in the beginning of any profession regardless of the amount of schooling you have, you will be nervous and the internship prepares you for real world cases. Keep in mind that during your internship, you may deal with the very worst of the worst, but this is in an attempt to expose to you the many different cases you could actually be dealing with once you are licensed.
What to Expect during your Internship
During any psychology internships, you can expect to learn the following skills:
• Ethical standards
• Patient assessment
• Evaluation of patients to determine the proper diagnosis
• Understanding diversity
• Development of social professional networks
• Learning to take responsibility and initiative
While you will be under the watchful eye of a licensed and experienced psychologist who becomes your mentor and the person you will go to in order to ask questions and clarifications. He or she will evaluate your work and progress.
Is the Internship Paid?
It depends on where the internship is offered, some are unpaid and some are paid. Many of the internships in psychology offer partially paid and then some unpaid, so it varies quite a bit by state and the agency in which you are doing your internship.
Will I be Interviewed for the Internship?
You can expect a formal interview for all psychology internships because they are highly competitive and agencies have their choice of whom they want to work with and basically take under their wing. Therefore, it is vital that you brush up on your interviewing skills in order to make that all-important first impression.
During your interview, you will be asked about your schooling, your future career and why you are the most qualified for the position. It is wise to practice these kinds of questions beforehand so that you are more relaxed when the questions are posed to you. Practicing interviewing with a friend or family member can great increase your chances of having a successful interview securing the internship.
What Can an Internship Do for Me?
The nice aspect to the internship is it can give you the skills and confidence you need when you are ready to go out and begin working as a psychologist. In addition, it is not unheard of that those that do a really good job during their internship are offered a full time position once they take and pass their exams. This can of course be a terrific career opportunity for you because it means you are not hitting the pavement after the internship.
Lastly, you will need to work very hard during your internship, in fact, you work harder than your mentor, but this is to be expected because a lot is required of you during this important position. Make sure you realize that the intern is not going to be an easy position, but it will be well worth your effort in the end.
Final Thoughts
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