Although an internship can be an extremely valuable learning experience for students, many students in psychology never consider an internship. In this article, we will debunk 10 myths and misconceptions about internships. Read on to learn the truth about how internships might benefit you.
Myth 1: It’s impossible to find an internship
Many excellent internships exist in psychology, but it might require a little detective work to find them. Consider these resources to help you locate internships:
The Psychology Job and Internship Opportunities Blogopens in new window
The career services, professional development, or experiential learning office at your university
Myth 2: I need to know my future career path before applying for an internship
It’s a common (and completely normal!) feeling to be unsure of your future career path. You can use internships as a way to “sample” a potential career path without making a definite future commitment. By trying out a possible career path, you’ll learn more about yourself, your skills, activities you enjoy, and activities you don’t enjoy. Pursuing an internship (or multiple internships) can help you figure out which career path might be the best fit for you.
Myth 3: I’ve already decided on my future career path, so I don’t need an internship
Even if you already know your future career path (or think that you do), an internship can help you confirm this intuition. Sometimes, you might enjoy learning about a particular area (that clinical psychology course was fascinating!), but you may not know much about the day-to-day experiences of that profession (how much time do clinical psychologists spend on insurance and billing?). A successful internship sometimes means learning that a planned career path is not a good match for you.
Myth 4: Internships are not paid and are essentially volunteer work
While some internships are not paid, many internships are fully paid or at least provide a stipend. Some non-local summer internships may even provide assistance with securing temporary housing. While unpaid internships are not financially feasible for everyone, unpaid internships can also yield important pay-offs in terms of building new skills and forming new relationships. So, when evaluating internship possibilities, consider all the potential gains from that internship, including, but not limited to, financial compensation.
Myth 5: It’s too early for me to start thinking about internships
It’s best to begin thinking about internships early in your college education. Some internship opportunities are even available for high school students. Exploring internships early has several advantages including: (1) The internship experience can help you make informed decisions about your education, such as which courses to prioritize; (2) you are more likely to have time for multiple internships while a college student; and (3) you have more flexibility to try again if applying for a competitive internship.
Myth 6: Psychology internships only offer clinical experience
Psychology is a multidisciplinary field. To get a sense of the different areas of expertise within psychology, explore the different divisions within APA. If you aren’t drawn to clinical work, consider other possibilities for internships, such as an internship in a psychology research lab, a business or human resource setting, or a nonprofit organization. Even internships in adjacent fields can often allow you to make valuable connections to psychology, such as working in a daycare (developmental psychology) or as a nature educator at a park (environmental psychology).
Myth 7: I’m not experienced enough to apply for an internship
Most internships provide training and/or mentoring opportunities on-site. Employers are typically looking for students who are curious, enthusiastic, and willing to learn new skills, not students who are already experts. Also, think creatively about how past experiences have prepared you for an internship. Reflecting on previous classes, volunteer activities, and extracurricular projects may show that you are more prepared for an internship than you originally realized.
Myth 8: Internships involve “busy work” and aren’t meaningful learning opportunities
While some internships do involve less exciting work (e.g., entering data), most internships include exposure to a variety of work-related and professional development tasks. By gaining experience with different tasks (even some tasks that you may not like), you learn valuable information about your work-related interests, skills, and preferences. Also, regardless of your individual work, it can be informative to observe the work lives of colleagues and supervisors. For example, if you find yourself doing a lot of administrative work in a clinical setting, you can learn a lot about the daily professional life of a clinician.
Myth 9: I don’t have extra time to pursue an internship
If you seem too busy to pursue an internship, think carefully about the current activities that are taking up your time. Are you prioritizing earning your bachelor’s degree? Some internships might count toward the credit hours required for graduation. Are you working part-time? If your job isn’t already psychology-focused, explore whether a paid internship opportunity could benefit you both financially and professionally.
Myth 10: Only a “prestigious" internship will be valuable for my future
While a particularly prestigious internship may have unique value, all internships can be a useful opportunity for self-discovery and shaping your future career trajectory. A local internship may be a direct pathway into a future career, as some students are ultimately hired at their internship site. Also, many students will benefit from the professional connections formed during an internship, potentially meeting a supervisor or more advanced colleague who will continue to serve as a mentor after the internship has ended.
If you hadn’t thought much about internships before reading this article, we hope this opened your eyes to their benefits. Think of each internship as a mini-experiment where you explore the world of psychology, gain experiential skills, and learn more about yourself in the process. Enjoy exploring!
About the authors
Camilla McMahon, PhD, is an associate professor of psychological science in the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences at Miami University. She is the director of the Psychology Job and Internship Opportunities Blogopens in new window, a blog that aims to connect undergraduate students and recent graduates with jobs and internships. She is thankful for the many students, over the years and recently, who have shared their thoughts and questions about internships. Her favorite myth about internships is that they aren’t necessary for students who already know their future career path. Sometimes, internships can surprise you and teach you more about yourself than you expected!
Alexis Summe is currently a sophomore student at Miami University. She is an aspiring occupational therapist pursuing a major in biology and a minor in psychological science. She is also the blog content manager of the Psychology Job and Internship Opportunities Blogopens in new window. She enjoys providing this resource for undergraduate psychology students and recent graduates searching for job and internship opportunities. Her favorite myth is that only prestigious internships are valuable for the future. She believes there is something to be gained from every internship, and the skills and connections formed during an internship will follow you into your future.
