Psych Insights Newsletter

Volume 01. Issue 08 | May 2026

 

Understanding Psychology Internships: What to Expect and How to Get Started

By Barneika Williams

For many psychology majors, the idea of securing an internship can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re not exactly sure what “experience” you’re supposed to have yet. The good news is that psychology internships are designed to help you build that experience, not require you to already have it.

Today’s psychology internships come in many forms, and they don’t all look the same. While some students picture working directly with clients in a clinical setting, many undergraduate opportunities are more observational or support-based. You might assist with administrative tasks ata a counseling center, support case managers in social service agencies, help with data collection in research labs, or even work in community outreach programs. Virtual internships have also become more common, offering flexibility and access to organizations beyond your local area.

It’s important to understand that most undergraduate psychology internships will not involve providing therapy or counseling. Instead, they focus on helping you develop foundational skills such as communication, professionalism, ethical awareness, and an understanding of how psychological concepts are applied in real-world settings. These experiences are especially valuable if you are considering graduate school, which is often required for clinical or counseling careers in psychology.

Beyond skill-building, internships help you answer an important question: What do I actually want to do with my psychology degree? Exposure to different environments, whether it’s a hospital, nonprofit organization, school system, or research setting, can help you clarify your interests and guide your next steps.

If you’re not sure where to begin, here is a simple step-by-step guide to help you get started:

Identify your area of interest. Think about what draws you to psychology. Are you interested in mental health, research, child development, or social services? You don’t have to be certain, but having a general direction will help you narrow your search.

Start your search early. Many summer internships begin accepting applications as early as the fall semester. Use platforms like Handshake, LinkedIn, and the Center for Career & Leadership Development to explore opportunities.

Prepare your materials. Have a polished resume and a basic cover letter ready. Even if you don’t have direct experience, highlight relevant coursework, class projects, volunteer work, and transferable skills.

Apply broadly and stay open-minded. Your first internship may not be your “dream” role, and that’s okay. Focus on gaining experience and learning as much as possible.

Follow up and prepare for interviews. After applying, monitor your email and be ready to respond promptly. Practice talking about your interest in psychology and your willingness to learn.

As you move through this process, remember that every experience counts. Whether you’re answering phones at a nonprofit or assisting with a research project, you are building skills that will support your future career.

An internship doesn’t have to be perfect; it is just a starting point.

Congratulations!

Congratulations to our graduates! You have worked incredibly hard and overcome many obstacles to achieve this momentous milestone. Take a moment to reflect on the years you have spent working towards your degree. All the textbook readings, research papers, discussion posts, group projects, midterms, and final exams have come to an end. The late-night studying is over. The stress and worry about waking up late for class is finished. The quick meals of ramen noodles so you can rush to finish that project are done. You did it, now it is time to celebrate.

Enjoy this time and know that we as the faculty and staff are cheering for you as you start your career. This is an exciting time but it can also be a time where worry and trepidation start to creep in. “How do I find a job?” “What if no one hires me?” “What is the best way to interview and create a resumé?” MGA can help with all of this and just reach out to our Career Services center. We want you to success and we believe you will do great things. The Psychology Faculty and Staff wish you all the best!

What’s Going On?

MGA’s psychology students continue to make incredible contributions to the University and the field of psychology as a whole. Shauna Ayers and Nicolas Hodges, mentored by Dr. Heather Ness-Maddox, were recently published in MGA’s Knighted: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Undergraduate Research.

  • Shauna Ayers: AutismTok: An Experimental Study into TikToks and Self-Diagnosis
  • Nicolas Hodges: The Effects of Imagery on Three-Point Shooting Accuracy, Shooting Under Pressure, and Shooting Confidence: A Case Study of a Former Collegiate Basketball Player

Check out their amazing work on the Knighted Journal page.

Event Flyers

Summer Session Schedule

  • Short Session starts May 20
  • Full Session starts May 27
  • Second Session starts June 24

Plan ahead. Stay on track. Make it a summer of success!

Graduation

  • May 13, 12 p.m., at the REcreation & Wellness Center on the Macon Campus

Go Knights

 

Student Spotlight

My name is Nyla Lockey and I am from Chesapeake Virginia, but I grew up around the coast of South Carolina and Southern Georgia. I’ve always been interested in understanding the “why” behind people’s behavior and what influences their decisions. My goal in psychology is to become a behavioral analyst working in the mental health field with adolescents to support their wellbeing. I would like to work with children and those in the criminal justice system that have behavior and mental health challenges.

Some fun facts about me are I played softball and soccer in my younger years, I play clarinet, I love outside adventure like camping, fishing, and jet skiing. Some of my hobbies are cooking, binge watching Star Wars, Dr. Who, Criminal Minds, and playing my PS5.

What I like best about MGA is that they care about and listen to students’ needs on an academic level. I also appreciate how advisors reach out when students need support, how there are peer mentors available to help guide students, and how there are always events on campus that promote educational growth, academic success, and social engagement provided by student life, housing and resident life, Roundtable peer mentors, and the advisor departments.

For the PDF version of this issue, visit the InsideMGA page.