2 answers
Cinthia
Student
Elizabeth, New Jersey
2
Questions
Updated
217 views
#Fall25 How to gain experience before B.A Psychology graduation in May 2026 Is it too late for me to begin to persue experience and network in my field??
Through the years in college I have focused more in surviving the world and getting jobs to pay bills instead of a career furthering job. I aspire to become a psychologist md/phd and know it takes lots of time and work. I just recently decided to go for my dream and gain experience. Just wanted to know if it’s too late or if I should’ve started earlier and where do I begin now. #Fall25 #Feelingdefeated #Unmotivated #Dreams #Isitpossible
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2 answers
Chinyere Okafor
Educationist and Counseling Psychologist
1185
Answers
Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria
Updated
Chinyere’s Answer
Hi Cinthia,
Take a deep breath. You're not late; you're just getting started, and that's a perfectly acceptable beginning place. The talent pipeline in psychology is purposefully extensive, adaptable, and designed for those who change course later or return to their objectives after life has passed. You still have plenty of time to get relevant experience prior to graduation and set yourself up for an MD/PhD path.
This is the strategy I would provide to any aspiring psychologist who has been juggling survival with resume building (which is actually more prevalent than you might think):
1. Start with a low-barrier, high-impact experience.
Explore positions such as psych unit assistant, behavioral health technician, crisis hotline volunteer, research assistant, or peer support volunteer. These provide you with the clinical exposure committees seek, are easily accessible, and are respected in admissions.
2. Leverage your strengths from day one.
Resilience, time management, and flexibility are basically a result of your lived experience working, surviving, and juggling responsibilities. Committees are aware that these are fundamental skills in both psychology and medicine.
3. Build one relationship at a time.
You only need two or three mentors who can attest to your ability; a large network is not necessary. Attend departmental discussions, psych club meetings, and professor office hours. Here, consistency is more important than charisma.
4. Pick one flagship experience to anchor your narrative.
Research is important for MD/PhD programs. Your application's course can be completely altered by volunteering five to seven hours a week in a lab. It shows dedication to research and intellectual curiosity.
5. Reframe “starting late” into “starting intentionally.”
Early starts are not rewarded by admissions committees; instead, candidates who exhibit maturity, upward trajectory, and a clear purpose are. The important thing is that you're starting to find your rhythm.
6. Protect your motivation by moving in small, sustainable sprints.
Attempting to completely transform your life at once leads to burnout. Rather, choose a single career action per week, such as a lab email, a volunteer application, or a discussion with a professor. There is a true compounding impact.
In reality, you’re nowhere near behind. Everything you do from now on will matter since you're just entering a new season of alignment.
Your dream is still achievable, and you're showing the precise kind of persistence that the industry requires.
Best wishes!
Take a deep breath. You're not late; you're just getting started, and that's a perfectly acceptable beginning place. The talent pipeline in psychology is purposefully extensive, adaptable, and designed for those who change course later or return to their objectives after life has passed. You still have plenty of time to get relevant experience prior to graduation and set yourself up for an MD/PhD path.
This is the strategy I would provide to any aspiring psychologist who has been juggling survival with resume building (which is actually more prevalent than you might think):
1. Start with a low-barrier, high-impact experience.
Explore positions such as psych unit assistant, behavioral health technician, crisis hotline volunteer, research assistant, or peer support volunteer. These provide you with the clinical exposure committees seek, are easily accessible, and are respected in admissions.
2. Leverage your strengths from day one.
Resilience, time management, and flexibility are basically a result of your lived experience working, surviving, and juggling responsibilities. Committees are aware that these are fundamental skills in both psychology and medicine.
3. Build one relationship at a time.
You only need two or three mentors who can attest to your ability; a large network is not necessary. Attend departmental discussions, psych club meetings, and professor office hours. Here, consistency is more important than charisma.
4. Pick one flagship experience to anchor your narrative.
Research is important for MD/PhD programs. Your application's course can be completely altered by volunteering five to seven hours a week in a lab. It shows dedication to research and intellectual curiosity.
5. Reframe “starting late” into “starting intentionally.”
Early starts are not rewarded by admissions committees; instead, candidates who exhibit maturity, upward trajectory, and a clear purpose are. The important thing is that you're starting to find your rhythm.
6. Protect your motivation by moving in small, sustainable sprints.
Attempting to completely transform your life at once leads to burnout. Rather, choose a single career action per week, such as a lab email, a volunteer application, or a discussion with a professor. There is a true compounding impact.
In reality, you’re nowhere near behind. Everything you do from now on will matter since you're just entering a new season of alignment.
Your dream is still achievable, and you're showing the precise kind of persistence that the industry requires.
Best wishes!
Dr Lucas Txibamba
Humanitarian
19
Answers
Luanda, Luanda Province, Angola
Updated
Dr Lucas’s Answer
Hello Cinthia,
It's definitely not too late to gain valuable experience and build your network before graduating in May 2026. Many students are in the same position, and with focused effort, you can enhance your resume and applications for graduate programs. Here's a simple guide to help you get started.
Roadmap for Your Final Year
You have time to build your experience. Follow this plan for the coming months:
Right Now (Dec 2025 - Jan 2026)
- Focus: Research and Planning, Initial Outreach
- Steps: Look for roles like "therapy assistant," "research assistant," or "behavioral tech" on job boards like APA PsycCareers and Indeed. Reach out to clinics and professors for informational interviews.
Spring 2026 Semester
- Focus: Gain Direct Experience, Secure Summer Role
- Steps: Apply for part-time jobs or volunteer roles. Search for and apply to full-time summer internships or fellowships.
Summer 2026
- Focus: Intensive Experience & Networking
- Steps: Excel in your summer role and network with supervisors and colleagues. Prepare your application materials for graduate programs.
Fall 2026 - Spring 2027
- Focus: Finalize Applications, Continue Building
- Steps: Submit graduate school applications. Keep building experience and maintaining professional connections.
Where to Find Relevant Experience
Focus on roles that offer real client experience, which is what graduate programs value.
- NDIS Therapy Assistant/Support Worker: Work under professionals like OTs, speech pathologists, and psychologists.
- Volunteer Positions: Look for opportunities in hospitals or nursing homes, such as being a companion to the elderly or playing with children.
- Research Assistant: Contact professors or PhD students to volunteer as a research assistant.
- Allied Health Clinic: Clinics often need assistants or receptionists, offering exposure to clinical practice.
How to Build Your Network
Networking is about building genuine relationships.
- University Resources: Talk to professors during office hours about your career goals.
- Conferences and Events: Attend psychology student conferences and events from professional bodies like SIOP.
- Online Connections: Use LinkedIn to connect with professionals and follow organizations like the APA.
- Elevator Pitch: Prepare a 30-second summary about yourself and your career goals for networking events.
Improve Your Resume
As you gain experience, your resume should reflect it.
- Tailor Your Resume: Customize it for each job or application.
- Highlight Accomplishments: Use action verbs and metrics, like "Improved treatment efficacy evaluations by 67%."
- Include All Experience: Highlight skills like patience, empathy, and communication from past jobs, and include academic projects, internships, and volunteer work.
Your past experiences have built resilience and skills valuable in psychology. Your dream is achievable, and starting now positions you well. If you have a specific area of psychology in mind, I can help you find more tailored opportunities. Best of luck as you pursue your goals.
Dr. Lucas
It's definitely not too late to gain valuable experience and build your network before graduating in May 2026. Many students are in the same position, and with focused effort, you can enhance your resume and applications for graduate programs. Here's a simple guide to help you get started.
Roadmap for Your Final Year
You have time to build your experience. Follow this plan for the coming months:
Right Now (Dec 2025 - Jan 2026)
- Focus: Research and Planning, Initial Outreach
- Steps: Look for roles like "therapy assistant," "research assistant," or "behavioral tech" on job boards like APA PsycCareers and Indeed. Reach out to clinics and professors for informational interviews.
Spring 2026 Semester
- Focus: Gain Direct Experience, Secure Summer Role
- Steps: Apply for part-time jobs or volunteer roles. Search for and apply to full-time summer internships or fellowships.
Summer 2026
- Focus: Intensive Experience & Networking
- Steps: Excel in your summer role and network with supervisors and colleagues. Prepare your application materials for graduate programs.
Fall 2026 - Spring 2027
- Focus: Finalize Applications, Continue Building
- Steps: Submit graduate school applications. Keep building experience and maintaining professional connections.
Where to Find Relevant Experience
Focus on roles that offer real client experience, which is what graduate programs value.
- NDIS Therapy Assistant/Support Worker: Work under professionals like OTs, speech pathologists, and psychologists.
- Volunteer Positions: Look for opportunities in hospitals or nursing homes, such as being a companion to the elderly or playing with children.
- Research Assistant: Contact professors or PhD students to volunteer as a research assistant.
- Allied Health Clinic: Clinics often need assistants or receptionists, offering exposure to clinical practice.
How to Build Your Network
Networking is about building genuine relationships.
- University Resources: Talk to professors during office hours about your career goals.
- Conferences and Events: Attend psychology student conferences and events from professional bodies like SIOP.
- Online Connections: Use LinkedIn to connect with professionals and follow organizations like the APA.
- Elevator Pitch: Prepare a 30-second summary about yourself and your career goals for networking events.
Improve Your Resume
As you gain experience, your resume should reflect it.
- Tailor Your Resume: Customize it for each job or application.
- Highlight Accomplishments: Use action verbs and metrics, like "Improved treatment efficacy evaluations by 67%."
- Include All Experience: Highlight skills like patience, empathy, and communication from past jobs, and include academic projects, internships, and volunteer work.
Your past experiences have built resilience and skills valuable in psychology. Your dream is achievable, and starting now positions you well. If you have a specific area of psychology in mind, I can help you find more tailored opportunities. Best of luck as you pursue your goals.
Dr. Lucas