2 answers
Kamryn
Student
Arcanum, Ohio
1
Question
Asked
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What is the best way to ensure I am getting quality work experience and job opportunities for my future career?
I am a senior in high school, and I plan to major in psychology in the fall of 2026. Bringing awareness to mental health has always been a personal passion of mine, and this is one of the many reasons I am pursuing psychology. In my future, I am looking to gain work experience in the psychology field while still attending college. This goal leads me to ask my question.
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2 answers
Chinyere Okafor
Educationist and Counseling Psychologist
1192
Answers
Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria
Updated
Chinyere’s Answer
Hi Kamryn,
You're ahead of the curve just by considering something so early, which is fantastic. To be honest, your enthusiasm for raising awareness of mental health issues already indicates the kind of motivated worker that the industry needs more of.
Finding the "perfect" opportunity is not as important as developing a solid, multi-layered foundation when it comes to gaining valuable experience in psychology while still in school. Those who have studied psychology from a variety of perspectives and are able to clearly discuss what they have learned are rewarded in the job market.
Here are some powerful strategies to gain experience early on:
- Get your foot in the door through campus roles.
You can gain practical experience in communication, crisis awareness, and community building by working in roles like peer mentor, resident assistant, wellness ambassador, or mental health advocacy groups. Companies appreciate these.
- Look for volunteer roles connected to people-support work.
Emotional intelligence and resilience are fundamental psychological skills that are developed through crisis hotlines, youth centers, disability support programs, shelters, or tutoring facilities.
- Say yes to any research exposure.
Data input, literature reviews, and lab work can even be completed by first-year students. Being valuable doesn't require being an upperclassman. Later on, research experience opens up a lot of job options.
- Explore part-time roles in related settings.
You can learn about the inner workings of mental health systems at hospitals, clinics, school counseling offices, community health programs, and even managerial positions.
- Build relationships with your professors early.
Tell them what interests you. They usually serve as gatekeepers for assistantships, research positions, and reference letters.
And here's the unspoken truth: careers in psychology rarely follow a straight line. What matters is that you continue to be eager, receptive, and thoughtful while acquiring experiences that deepen your understanding of the groups you are most interested in.
By asking intelligent questions, you're already acting ethically. You will have a significant strategic edge when you enter college and the field with that approach.
Best wishes!
You're ahead of the curve just by considering something so early, which is fantastic. To be honest, your enthusiasm for raising awareness of mental health issues already indicates the kind of motivated worker that the industry needs more of.
Finding the "perfect" opportunity is not as important as developing a solid, multi-layered foundation when it comes to gaining valuable experience in psychology while still in school. Those who have studied psychology from a variety of perspectives and are able to clearly discuss what they have learned are rewarded in the job market.
Here are some powerful strategies to gain experience early on:
- Get your foot in the door through campus roles.
You can gain practical experience in communication, crisis awareness, and community building by working in roles like peer mentor, resident assistant, wellness ambassador, or mental health advocacy groups. Companies appreciate these.
- Look for volunteer roles connected to people-support work.
Emotional intelligence and resilience are fundamental psychological skills that are developed through crisis hotlines, youth centers, disability support programs, shelters, or tutoring facilities.
- Say yes to any research exposure.
Data input, literature reviews, and lab work can even be completed by first-year students. Being valuable doesn't require being an upperclassman. Later on, research experience opens up a lot of job options.
- Explore part-time roles in related settings.
You can learn about the inner workings of mental health systems at hospitals, clinics, school counseling offices, community health programs, and even managerial positions.
- Build relationships with your professors early.
Tell them what interests you. They usually serve as gatekeepers for assistantships, research positions, and reference letters.
And here's the unspoken truth: careers in psychology rarely follow a straight line. What matters is that you continue to be eager, receptive, and thoughtful while acquiring experiences that deepen your understanding of the groups you are most interested in.
By asking intelligent questions, you're already acting ethically. You will have a significant strategic edge when you enter college and the field with that approach.
Best wishes!
Jerome Dees Jr.
Sales Professional and Networking Expert
819
Answers
San Francisco, California
Updated
Jerome’s Answer
I highly recommend trying to find an internship or a facility where you may be able to volunteer. Too many students go to school with hope of getting a job and they don’t have any connections within the industry. By doing an internship or volunteering, you can get actual experience and hopefully people willing to write letters of recommendation for you.
The school you are going to will likely have an alumni association filled with people who work in the field. They can be a great resource for connecting and asking questions too.
The school you are going to will likely have an alumni association filled with people who work in the field. They can be a great resource for connecting and asking questions too.