Looking to translate your theoretical knowledge into practical skills, then a psychology internship may be right for you. Depending on your schedule, part-time internships around your uni work or, full-time internship during your holidays could work for you…
What
During your internship, you’re essentially acting like a professional. Therefore, the employer hiring you as an intern expects you to act, professionalism and commitment. You will develop your knowledge in a professional setting as you work alongside established psychologists taking on the same responsibilities and duties as them.
How to find an internships
1. Find an area of interest
During your academic studies, not down if there have likely been certain parts of your course material that were of greater interest to you than others, maybe certain studies that caught your area or things you wish to find about more.
2. Online research
Have a look at online career-based websites, job websites, careers fairs, recruitment agencies, ask department teachers for opportunities or even if there are any specific institutes or organisations that do not necessarily have specific opportunities advertised, make a note of their contact details. You can always try making a speculative application, submitting your CV and a covering letter to them and politely asking if there are any opportunities for you to intern with them.
This websites have great internship opportunities
- Milkround – They have a whole section dedicated to internships, both in the UK and abroad.
- Target Jobs – Another well-known job site which allows you to filter by internships, and companies ranging from major multinationals to startups.
- e4s – This is the place to go if you’re looking specifically for summer internships or internships abroad (during a gap year, for example).
- Student Job – Another great site that allows you to easily search for internships in individual cities across the UK.
- Rate My Placement – This site lets you search for internship vacancies and read reviews from previous interns.
- LinkedIn – You’ll often find internships listed here. Make sure you’re following any companies you’re interested in so you’re the first to hear about new opportunities.
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Check your local NHS clinics/ charities for opportunities.
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Contact your clinical psych department at uni and see if they can offer you some research experience
3. Network with professionals
Either during research you took part it, social media platforms you follow, lectures who’s social media you follow, or other professionals you might have come across. Getting in contact about opportunities and getting yourself out there might be incredibly beneficial.
When contacting professionals you don’t already know, keep your message brief, courteous and to the point. Give a bit of context to why you’re contacting them and your reasoning for wanting this specific internship opportunity, especially if you’re contacting a professional whose work aligns with your desired specialisation. Briefly mention your career goals, along with a few details of your current academic studies.
4. Use your institutions resources
Your lecturers and instructors can be a great resource for finding internship opportunities. Many university lecturers have several industry connections and are likely active professionals themselves. They may know about opportunities not advertised or be able to make introductions to colleagues that can offer you an internship. If there is an institution you’re particularly interested in but you’re struggling to find a point of contact, your lecturer may be able to give you contact details of professionals you can approach.
Your institution may also have a dedicated careers services department. Much like your lecturers, they have information regarding not widely advertised opportunities and can either provide you with details or approach organisations on your behalf. They also have a list of approved placement providers with whom previous students have had good experiences.
When to apply
Depending on you where you are with you level of experience Volunteering in 1st or 2nd year might help you build a stringer CV to then apply for an internship.
Its is important to consider deadlines when applying, most competitive places will require you to apply around autumn of 2nd or 3rd year for as summer or next year placement.
Your best bet is to start scouting out internships over the summer when you have more spare time and [make sure your CV is up to scratch. This way, you can apply as soon as opportunities start going live in the late summer and early autumn.
If you’re looking for a post-graduation internship, our advice would be to start hunting as early as possible, and keep checking all year round.
Internships at smaller companies and start-ups can pop up at any time, so keep an eye out.
Benefits
The best psychology internship programs strengthen resumes, provide valuable avenues to [letters of recommendation, and can even [turn into full-time jobs.
Perhaps the most significant benefits of a psychology internship are the practical skills one gains.
Students can apply theories they learned in the classroom to real-life professional settings. Additionally, an internship experience can make students more marketable when searching for jobs