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How does finding your job and going through an internship as a Psychologist go?

Hello I'm a sophomore and I was thinking of becoming a Psychologist and counsel those who need help. I am confused on the entire job search and how to go into an internship. #job-search #psychology #internships #psychologist

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Janet’s Answer

There are many different kinds of psychologists. To be a licensed clinical psychologist, you must look at the requirements at your state's board of licensing. They differ by state. Usually, however, you will need a doctorate from an approved program or a program that meets the requirements. You will have to have a set number of supervised internship hours. You will then have to pass the national licensing exam. Each state has a different cutoff to meet the criteria for licensing. To get an internship, your doctoral program may have ties with local counseling agencies that look for interns to fill out their staff at a lower cost than a fully licensed person. However, you may have to find your own internship. To do this you can contact local mental health agencies and hospitals offering mental health care to see how you might apply for an internship. Many such internships are also advertised in bulletins of the state or national psychological association, for example, by the American Association of Psychologists. You may also be able to substitute an internship with smaller supervised positions. I did this in Pennsylvania by asking licensed psychologists to supervise me when I worked as a school psychologist. I had my school psychologist internship accepted as half my hours of supervision because I worked with a licensed psychologist. Then, in the job as a certified school psychologist, my supervision continued on the job as I worked with another licensed psychologist. The local school districts had relationships with local school psychology programs in order to supplement their workforce with interns. I have also seen these school psychology internships advertised on the national K-12 jobspot website and the local state educational department's online website. They were usually unpaid or at best, the school district paid the tuition for the school psychology's program internship course that provided supervision. Good luck!
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Jessica Sera’s Answer

Hi Cole,

As the previous answer states, there are multiple different types of psychologists. Have you thought about what type of psychologist you are interested in becoming? For example, there are clinical psychologists, school psychologists, and counseling psychologists, to name a few. It will be helpful to research your intended occupation to find more about the school and licensing requirements. For example, you most likely will need to get a Bachelor's degree and then obtain a graduate or doctorate degree. Your bachelor's degree will provide you with foundational knowledge about psychology. While you are studying for your Bachelor's degree, it may be helpful to partake in psychological research that aligns with your intended field. At your college, you may even network with graduate students or professors that have educational and professional backgrounds that align with your goals. Your network can provide valuable insight into their internship experiences. Additionally, your graduate program will provide you with specialized knowledge pertaining to the type of psychologist you would like to be. It is also likely that your graduate program will require numerous hours of fieldwork or internship experience to complete the program. Depending on the program, they may provide approved internship places or assist you with finding an internship.

In regards to the job search in general, there are many sites where you can find jobs. For example, there is Linkedin and Indeed to name a few. Once you find a job you would like to apply to, you likely need to submit a job application to the employer. This includes submitting your resume, cover letter, and/or any particular job questions the employer asks. Then, the next step of the job process is most likely to have an interview. The interview is when the employer will get to know you and your qualifications for the job. Finally, the employer will make a decision and notify you whether or not you have gotten the job. Please note this is general advice and may not apply to every job.

I hope this helps, and best of luck!

Jessica Sera recommends the following next steps:

Research which type of psychologist you are interesting in becoming.
Research the licensing and school requirements for your career as a psychologist.
Plan to go to college and graduate school to obtain the educational requirements to become a psychologist.
Network with graduate students and/or professors in college to find out about their experiences.
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