D’Asia
What steps can I take during college to gain the right connections, experiences, and skills that will help me successfully become a forensic psychologist working with juveniles in the justice system, and how can I make sure I stand out when applying for internships or graduate programs in that field?
I'm currently in my first year of college, a sophomore at Kennesaw State University. I am pursuing psychology and plan to go into forensic psychology, specifically working with juveniles in the justice system. I'm very interested in understanding mental health, human behavior, how environmental factors like family structure and socioeconomic status, and trauma impact decision-making and development.
My favorite areas of interest include criminal justice and developmental psychology. I want to develop skills in communication, research, and working with at-risk youths. Outside of academics, I am still interested in learning more about mentorship programs or internships in mental health settings. any opportunity that involves working directly with the youth or within community organizations
I am still exploring the best paths to reach my career goals, and I appreciate advice on how to gain relevant experience early in college and prepare for graduate school in this field.
2 answers
Chinyere Okafor
Chinyere’s Answer
You’re already thinking in the right direction, and that gives you a real edge. At this stage, it’s less about doing everything and more about building the right mix of experience, skills, and relationships over time.
Start with hands-on experience with youth. Since you’re interested in juveniles in the justice system, look for roles where you can consistently work with young people, mentorship programs, after-school programs, community centers, or nonprofits that support at-risk youth. These experiences build your confidence, your communication skills, and your understanding of behavior in real-life settings. That matters a lot more than just classroom knowledge.
Alongside that, try to get involved in research early. It doesn’t have to be perfectly aligned with forensic psychology at first. What matters is learning how research works, reading studies, collecting data, and thinking critically. Reach out to professors at Kennesaw State University and ask if they need research assistants. Even small roles can open doors later.
You’ll also want to build relevant exposure to the system you’re interested in. This could be internships or volunteer roles connected to juvenile justice, mental health services, or community outreach programs. The goal is to understand how different systems, family, school, and legal, interact in shaping behavior. In terms of skills, focus on strengthening:
- Communication and active listening (especially with youth)
- Observation and emotional awareness
- Writing and documentation (this is huge for reports and grad school)
- Critical thinking (being able to analyze situations without jumping to conclusions)
Now, when it comes to standing out for internships or graduate programs, it’s not about doing the most; it’s about showing depth and consistency. Staying committed to a few meaningful experiences over time will stand out more than jumping between many short ones. Programs look for people who can demonstrate real engagement, not just interest.
Also, start building relationships with mentors, professors, supervisors, or professionals in the field. These are the people who will guide you, recommend you, and help you navigate opportunities. A simple way to structure your next steps:
- Get involved in one consistent youth-focused role
- Join one research opportunity or lab
- Start exploring internships related to mental health or juvenile services
- Build relationships with at least 1–2 mentors
You don’t need to have everything perfectly figured out right now. You just need to keep moving in the direction of your interest and build experience step by step. You’re already asking the right questions and thinking long-term. If you stay consistent with that approach, you’ll put yourself in a very strong position for both internships and graduate school.
Best wishes!
