Ilona Plat – Contributor

“Sorry, we do not offer internships to undergraduate students; good luck with the rest of your inquiries,” read one of the many emails of my attempts at securing an internship in psychology. Competition in psychology masters is tough; internships are one of the best ways to make yourself competitive. It is unsurprising then that as I advanced in my degree and kept receiving these rejections, my stress was at an all-time high. This was until one morning in March, when the Experiential Learning Office changed everything.

The office had sent an email with a few different internships to apply to. A link was provided with detailed information on what the internship entailed and how to apply. Everything about the application process was straightforward. Of course, even though these internships are through the school, it still means that you need to put some effort into your CV and cover letter if you wish to be interviewed and chosen as the intern. This process might be scary, but the fantastic thing is that the Experiential Learning Office offers us lots of resources on how to prepare for that. 

Several new advertisements were posted for new positions, and they were consistently unique. This is very cool because it allows students to make sure they can find something that could strike their interest. 

I remember being quite intimidated when applying because working for the first time in mental health with real people is challenging for any student. What if I do not know what to do? What if working in mental health affects my mental health? Once again, the Experiential Learning Office acted as a considerable support through their virtual training session that provided us with resources to help us and habits to adopt in times of distress. The Experiential Learning Office was also very involved throughout the internship through check-in emails and virtual reflection meetings. These meetings were focused on reflecting on the work I have done so far and seeing if there was anything I wished my internship had shown me. The virtual reflection meetings were a safe space to discuss challenges, share successes and receive feedback. 

Graphic courtesy of Payton Langevin

More than just a first-time working experience, the internship I secured was a transformative experience. It reshaped my approach to mental health in ways I never anticipated and it gave me the invaluable opportunity to develop new skills and mindsets. I was trusted with real responsibilities and had the chance to make a tangible impact. This was no coffee-fetching internship from the movies. It was evident that significant effort was invested to make sure that the students got the best out of it. 

Based on my experience, if you’re a psychology student, the Experiential Learning Office is a resource you can’t afford to miss. With the hope that they will continue to publish internship opportunities this year, I encourage you to explore this unique platform to gain real-life, hands-on experience, which is truly invaluable.