Best Jobs & Internships for Psychology Undergraduate Students

Are you a psychology major working towards a bachelor's degree in psychology at a college or university?

Your degree program may or may not require that you perform an internship,

An internship provides you with the opportunity to get on-the-job training under the supervision of a licensed psychologist or the equivalent supervisor in a business or organization.

Keep in mind the broad range of organizations and industries that hire various types of psychologists and counselors: clinical, community, counseling, developmental, educational, engineering, environmental, experimental, forensic, industrial, organizational, or rehab.

Psychology majors find degrees both inside and outside of the psychology field.In this article, we how to get started finding the best jobs and internships for psychology undergrad students.

How Do I Find an Internship as a Psychology Major?

On-Campus Resources

If you're a student in a university program that requires internships, a good place to go to start seeking an internship is first, your department's undergraduate internship coordinator.

This is likely a faculty or staff member who specializes in supervising psychology internships.

This person will likely have a list or database of practices, organizations, and companies that have offered internships to the school's psychology majors in the past.

Talk with the internship coordinator and share your particular interests. That person may be able to point you to some great possibilities.

However, don't expect the coordinator to find the internship for you. Finding the internship is generally the student's responsibility, but it will need to be approved and co-supervised by the designator coordinator at your university.

Another office on campus that can be helpful is your college's career planning office.

The staff there will be able to help you narrow your choices and can also be indispensable in helping you create a resume and cover letters, gather letters of recommendation, and learn interview skills as you apply for internships.

Researching Internship Possibilities Yourself

Start by networking with friends and family to learn about possible internship sites in your local community.

Learn about the various social services organizations in your area as well as rehab centers, hospitals, cancer centers, mental health providers, hospices, women's and children's shelters, or hospitals with specialized psychiatric units.

As you do your own research, remember that the internet is the largest database out there. If you search for 'internship + your field + your desired location,' you'll get a list of dozens of possible internship sites.

Keep in mind that the largest and most prominent employers and companies are the most competitive, so be sure to look for opportunities at smaller organizations as well.

Pitching an Internship to a Practice, Company, or Organization

Rather than researching existing internship position announcements or advertisements, a third way to find internships is to research firms you might like to work for and then inquire about their willingness to work with an intern.

Many firms and practices do not regularly advertise for interns or have an established internship program, yet they may be willing to allow an unpaid intern (under academic supervision) to work with them.

In these cases, you will need to 'sell' yourself as well as the idea of an internship, but if you make a strong impression, many firms might be willing to accommodate you.

Generally, you would propose to serve in a particular capacity with a specific supervisor, who will work with you to set achievable goals for a limited time period.

Reliability and professionalism are a must since no firm wants to waste their time and resources on helping a student who is undependable. However, if you do an admirable job, the internship will benefit the company or practice as well as yourself.

Examples of Jobs & Internships for Psychology Undergrads

While the list below is not exhaustive, it provides you with some general ideas for areas in which jobs and internships for psychology undergrads are available.

Behavioral or Neuroscience Research Internships

Some choice internships exist for psychology majors in scientific research, many funded by the National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program.

These include the injury science program at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and the human neuroscience summer program at Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) and Georgia State University, as well as many others.

Child Development Psychology Internships

If you're working toward a degree in child development or adolescent psychology, you may want to find a program such as the Yale School of Medicine's Child Study Center Developmental Science Summer Internship Program.

You could also reach out to a local clinic specializing in child and adolescent psychology.

Community Mental Health Clinic Internships

If your career goal is in clinical psychology, an internship in a community mental health clinic administered by your local health department would provide you with an invaluable opportunity.

Corrections Psychology Internships

If the field of corrections interests you, you can learn first-hand about how psychologists can impact the rehabilitation of law offenders by serving as a correctional facility psychology intern at a local, state, or federal corrections center.

Environmental Psychology Internships

If your interests lean towards the relationship between humans and their environments, you may find an internship enabling you to learn first-hand about a career as an environmental psychologist.

An example would be an environmental education internship for an organization that promotes wellness through nature, such as Project NatureConnect or Outward Bound.

Forensic Psychology Internships

If your interest in psychology intersects with legal issues and criminal justice, perhaps an internship in forensic psychology would align with your career goals.

You might find a forensic psychology internship in a corrections facility, legal firm, government judicial agency, or rehab center.

Geriatric Psychology Internships

If you dream of working with the aging population, the field of geriatric psychology may appeal to you. The needs of elderly people, whether due to loneliness or dementia, often lead them to seek psychological or neuropsychiatric care.

An example of an internship in this field would be through Psychiatric Medical Care's Senior Life Solutions program, an outpatient behavioral healthcare program for older adults with group sessions guided by a licensed therapist.

School Psychology Internships

Educators and administrators depend upon school psychologists to provide support to students with both learning and behavioral needs.

A school psychology internship could help you decide whether to pursue a master's in school counseling.

Veteran Affairs Psychology Internships

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is one of the nation's largest providers of mental health care for veterans, who often suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder and other related conditions.

Working with military psychologists across the United States, VA interns can gain on-the-job training in diagnostics and case assessment of veterans.

Find Your Psychology Degree Online Today

Jobs and internships for psychology undergrads are available in a diversity of career niches.

They can help you decide if such a career is for you or if you need to seek a new direction within the field. Begin your search today for your ideal psychology internship.