6 answers
Kay
Student
Newark, New Jersey
3
Questions
Asked
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Is this a wise decision for a potential future career in a Federal Agency?
Hi all, hope you are doing well! I am a forensic psychology student who, at the moment, is struggling to define the exact career path I want to take. However, I do know that I want to either work as a Forensic Psychologist in the court system or in any Behavioral Analysis/Criminal Profiling role for a federal agency such as the FBI, CIA, DEA, etc.
As a result, I want to gain some internship experience to build my resume for these jobs. I just came across an internship position for a Reproductive Rights Center that I am extremely interested in.
However, there's something in the back of my mind that's causing me to hesitate for a second. Given the current polarized political climate, I worry that working in this area might be perceived negatively by potential future employers in my field, especially as America moves more and more towards the right wing side of it all. I am unsure if it would be wise to go into this position and if this experience might be viewed unfavorably by future employers in my chosen field.
At the same time, I feel as though I am overthinking this. I know that we are all free to believe in whatever we want as American citizens, but there's been a lot of fear and speculation going around these days and I'd rather be safe than sorry. Once again, I am completely open to the possibility of me overthinking this, but I wanted to hear it from someone who's more experienced and wiser than me. Thank you all!
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6 answers
Syuk Chang
Military and fishing
5
Answers
China, Kagoshima Prefecture
Updated
Syuk’s Answer
Kay, listen up. You’re playing a long game here, and every move on your career board matters. Federal agencies value experience, critical thinking, and analytical skills above all. If this internship hones those, it’s a tactical advantage. That said, optics do matter—especially in politically sensitive roles.
Your best bet? Diversify your experience. If this opportunity excites you, take it, but balance it with work in forensic settings, law enforcement, or government agencies to keep your resume mission-ready for the federal path. Never let fear dictate your choices—strategy does. Move smart.
Your best bet? Diversify your experience. If this opportunity excites you, take it, but balance it with work in forensic settings, law enforcement, or government agencies to keep your resume mission-ready for the federal path. Never let fear dictate your choices—strategy does. Move smart.
Thank you so much for this response! You have no idea the relief it brought me. I am going to follow your advice to diversity my experience not only so that it reflects well on my resume, but because I am someone who does genuinely appreciate learning about anything and everything. So, thank you once again!
Kay
Outstanding mindset. Keep diversifying, stay strategic, and build a skill set that makes you unstoppable. Mission’s clear—you got this lad.
Syuk Chang
Chinyere Okafor
Educationist and Counseling Psychologist
1205
Answers
Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria
Updated
Chinyere’s Answer
Hello Kay!
I haven’t worked with either of these agencies, but I can definitely offer some advice. It’s great that you’re thinking critically about how your internship experiences will shape your future career, but I don’t think you need to worry too much here. Federal agencies like the FBI, CIA, and DEA primarily look for candidates with strong analytical skills, problem-solving abilities, and relevant experience, and an internship at a Reproductive Rights Center doesn’t automatically disqualify you or negatively impact your chances. In fact, it could demonstrate valuable skills such as research, advocacy, legal analysis, and working with vulnerable populations, all of which are relevant to forensic psychology and federal investigations.
That said, I understand why you might hesitate. The current political climate is unpredictable, and while federal agencies aim to remain neutral, personal biases can sometimes come into play during hiring decisions. If you're concerned about how this experience might be perceived, the key is in how you frame it on your resume and in interviews. Instead of focusing on the political aspect, highlight the transferable skills—things like research, policy analysis, crisis intervention, or working with at-risk populations. These skills are directly applicable to forensic psychology and criminal profiling roles.
Also, keep in mind that having a diverse range of experiences can actually make you a stronger candidate. Federal agencies value applicants who can think critically about complex social issues and approach criminal behavior from multiple perspectives. If this internship excites you and aligns with your interests, I’d say go for it. If you’re still feeling unsure, you can always balance it with another internship more directly related to forensic psychology, law enforcement, or criminal investigations.
You’re thinking ahead in a really smart way, and that’s going to serve you well no matter where you end up. Trust yourself, keep gaining experience, and don’t let fear hold you back from valuable opportunities. You’ve got this!
Best wishes!
I haven’t worked with either of these agencies, but I can definitely offer some advice. It’s great that you’re thinking critically about how your internship experiences will shape your future career, but I don’t think you need to worry too much here. Federal agencies like the FBI, CIA, and DEA primarily look for candidates with strong analytical skills, problem-solving abilities, and relevant experience, and an internship at a Reproductive Rights Center doesn’t automatically disqualify you or negatively impact your chances. In fact, it could demonstrate valuable skills such as research, advocacy, legal analysis, and working with vulnerable populations, all of which are relevant to forensic psychology and federal investigations.
That said, I understand why you might hesitate. The current political climate is unpredictable, and while federal agencies aim to remain neutral, personal biases can sometimes come into play during hiring decisions. If you're concerned about how this experience might be perceived, the key is in how you frame it on your resume and in interviews. Instead of focusing on the political aspect, highlight the transferable skills—things like research, policy analysis, crisis intervention, or working with at-risk populations. These skills are directly applicable to forensic psychology and criminal profiling roles.
Also, keep in mind that having a diverse range of experiences can actually make you a stronger candidate. Federal agencies value applicants who can think critically about complex social issues and approach criminal behavior from multiple perspectives. If this internship excites you and aligns with your interests, I’d say go for it. If you’re still feeling unsure, you can always balance it with another internship more directly related to forensic psychology, law enforcement, or criminal investigations.
You’re thinking ahead in a really smart way, and that’s going to serve you well no matter where you end up. Trust yourself, keep gaining experience, and don’t let fear hold you back from valuable opportunities. You’ve got this!
Best wishes!
Elizabeth Thesing
Engineering
33
Answers
Springfield, Ohio
Updated
Elizabeth’s Answer
Hi Kay! You've asked a question that while I find difficult to answer, I also hope to give you some items to think about!
Please note, I do not currently, nor have I ever, worked for the Fed but I do have many friends that have or still do. So that may influence my answer a bit!
Personally, as female who wants to mainly body autonomy, I think you should go for the internship! Reproductive Rights are the future of the human race. If we cannot continue to reproduce then we die out. We are always going to need reproductive rights of some sort. And yes, while the clinic you are looking at may lose funding, may be lobbied against, etc, there are always going to be people who need assistance when it comes to reproduction. Be that in the form of birth control, family planning, assistance with signing up for WIC or food stamps, or finding a doctor they can afford, people are going to need the help. Having an internship at such a clinic is only going to give you insight into how that system works and what needs people have. You're going to learn more about the psychology around the decisions people make too, which could be an important learning experience for your career long term.
I also think we need to recognize that what is happening now may not happen for forever. In many polls, some majority (however slight at times) of the country actually do want reproductive freedoms, but because of the way votes are tallied by districts that isn't always how the votes turn out. I believe it may be more difficult depending on politics at any given time, but we've been through the dark times before and can get through them again. The more important question is, do you have the support system to go that route if you find you really love it?
I do not think employers would look down on such an internship - if they do, ask yourself if that's an employer you really want to work for? What other things would be deny you in benefits and freedoms of speech if they wouldn't give you a chance because of working at the clinic during an internship?
At the end of the day, I think if you are excited about the opportunity, you should apply. We don't know what the future holds but sometimes life is worth the risk we take in the now.
Please note, I do not currently, nor have I ever, worked for the Fed but I do have many friends that have or still do. So that may influence my answer a bit!
Personally, as female who wants to mainly body autonomy, I think you should go for the internship! Reproductive Rights are the future of the human race. If we cannot continue to reproduce then we die out. We are always going to need reproductive rights of some sort. And yes, while the clinic you are looking at may lose funding, may be lobbied against, etc, there are always going to be people who need assistance when it comes to reproduction. Be that in the form of birth control, family planning, assistance with signing up for WIC or food stamps, or finding a doctor they can afford, people are going to need the help. Having an internship at such a clinic is only going to give you insight into how that system works and what needs people have. You're going to learn more about the psychology around the decisions people make too, which could be an important learning experience for your career long term.
I also think we need to recognize that what is happening now may not happen for forever. In many polls, some majority (however slight at times) of the country actually do want reproductive freedoms, but because of the way votes are tallied by districts that isn't always how the votes turn out. I believe it may be more difficult depending on politics at any given time, but we've been through the dark times before and can get through them again. The more important question is, do you have the support system to go that route if you find you really love it?
I do not think employers would look down on such an internship - if they do, ask yourself if that's an employer you really want to work for? What other things would be deny you in benefits and freedoms of speech if they wouldn't give you a chance because of working at the clinic during an internship?
At the end of the day, I think if you are excited about the opportunity, you should apply. We don't know what the future holds but sometimes life is worth the risk we take in the now.
Hi Elizabeth, thank you so much for your response. I like how you asked if I would really want to be working for an employer that looks down on such as internship- I hadn't thought of it that way! That being said, my answer is no. Of course, I would love to work at my dream job, but I don't ever think that's worth losing my beliefs or personal morals. Thank you for giving me some perspective!
Kay
Annah Edmonds
Licensed Clinical Counselor and Art Therapist
221
Answers
Seattle, Washington
Updated
Annah’s Answer
Kay, I truly madly deeply urge you to follow your heart! Women's rights are human rights! While it is a controversial topic, it has been for decades. Our current president may disagree but his time in office will pass. Having a strong sense about who you are and what you stand for is important- especially when entering a field such as forensic psychology (or any type of psychology). Even if you decide to pursue federal government employment, would you want to work with a team of people who do not hold similar values? More specifically, would you want to work with others who believe that your gender limits your ability to make autonomous choices? Employers want people who stand out and it sometimes takes guts to do so. It is useful to be passionate for whatever you end up doing as this passion will fuel your ability to get through all the difficulties this kind of work may bring. When we start to curate ourselves to meet a perceived expectation, we end up cutting off our life source- effectively stunting our growth. If I have learned anything from my own journey through graduate school and post-graduate work it is to follow your instincts and focus on the immediate opportunity. Your concern is understandable, yet having the integrity to go against the grain at times is what will build character and may even lead to chances that were otherwise shut. I believe you can do it all and more! There will always be road bumps along the way. That is okay.
Gerald J Olseski Jr
Certified Peer Support Specialist
47
Answers
Riverview, Michigan
Updated
Gerald J’s Answer
That is an interesting question.
Maybe take a wait and see approach.
It is hard to really give an answer here.
Maybe take a wait and see approach.
It is hard to really give an answer here.
Karen Yeates
I am open
2
Answers
Houston, Texas
Updated
Karen’s Answer
Hello Kay,
I encourage you to take on the internship and focus on gaining valuable experience. It's natural to worry about the future, but remember, it's beyond our control. You're at the beginning of your career journey, and this opportunity is a great step forward.
Don't let the current political climate distract you. Embrace what's in front of you and let go of any limiting beliefs. If, in the future, someone questions your choices, just remember who you were and confidently move past their doubts.
You are in charge of your own path, so don't stress over what might or might not happen. I also recommend reading "What to Say When You Talk to Your Self" by Shad Helmstetter. This book can help you overcome negative thoughts and myths, guiding you towards your goals and a more relaxed life.
Wishing you all the best in your endeavors!
I encourage you to take on the internship and focus on gaining valuable experience. It's natural to worry about the future, but remember, it's beyond our control. You're at the beginning of your career journey, and this opportunity is a great step forward.
Don't let the current political climate distract you. Embrace what's in front of you and let go of any limiting beliefs. If, in the future, someone questions your choices, just remember who you were and confidently move past their doubts.
You are in charge of your own path, so don't stress over what might or might not happen. I also recommend reading "What to Say When You Talk to Your Self" by Shad Helmstetter. This book can help you overcome negative thoughts and myths, guiding you towards your goals and a more relaxed life.
Wishing you all the best in your endeavors!