2 answers
Adeline
Student
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
1
Question
Updated
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What skills or activities can I do in college to make myself stand out amongst the rest when it comes to obtaining a career in Psychology, specifically, Mental Health Counseling ?
#Spring 26
I am pursuing a degree in Psychology. I hope to obtain a Bachelor's or Master's degree in order to strive for the career and certification of a mental health counselor. Psychology is a popular major that is even required as a class for those who are not majoring in the field. In this sense, it is difficult to make your uniqueness stand out amongst other majors in order to pursue a career in counseling or even a competitive Master's degree. I am hoping to understand what skill sets and activities such as internships, that I can participate and get involved in to be standing out amongst many Psychology majors.
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2 answers
Yasmine Ghassani
Limited License Psychologist
2
Answers
Canton, Michigan
Updated
Yasmine’s Answer
Hello,
Great question, I would recommend completing an internship or getting involved in psychology research studies at your university. I took an internship course and was assigned and internship working in a mental health facility with kids/teens. I also worked with one of my professors on a research study they were conducting. Although these are not necessary for a grad school application they do help set you apart from other students applying. If you do plan to do something similar just be mindful of your scheduling and I would not recommend doing them both in the same semester. Hope this helps.
Great question, I would recommend completing an internship or getting involved in psychology research studies at your university. I took an internship course and was assigned and internship working in a mental health facility with kids/teens. I also worked with one of my professors on a research study they were conducting. Although these are not necessary for a grad school application they do help set you apart from other students applying. If you do plan to do something similar just be mindful of your scheduling and I would not recommend doing them both in the same semester. Hope this helps.
Chinyere Okafor
Educationist and Counseling Psychologist
1376
Answers
Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria
Updated
Chinyere’s Answer
Hi Adeline,
You’re right, psychology is a popular major, and on its own it doesn’t automatically differentiate you. But in mental health counseling, what makes you stand out isn’t the title of your degree; it’s the depth of your experience, the clarity of your focus, and the evidence that you’re already developing as a helping professional. Think of your goal as building a profile that answers one question for graduate programs and future employers: “Can this person work effectively with real clients in real situations?” Everything you do in college should move you closer to a confident “yes.”
One of the highest-impact areas is hands-on, people-centered experience. You want to be in environments where you’re interacting with individuals who need support; this could be volunteering with youth programs, crisis support lines, community mental health organizations, rehabilitation or reentry programs, or campus peer support services. These experiences do two things: they build your practical skills, and they show commitment to the field beyond the classroom.
In addition to that, focus on developing core counseling-related skills. Active listening, empathy, emotional regulation, and communication are foundational. You won’t master them overnight, but you can start practicing them intentionally, through peer mentoring roles, group facilitation, or even reflective journaling about your interactions and growth. Programs value applicants who are self-aware and actively developing interpersonal competence.
Another key differentiator is research and evidence-based thinking. Even if you don’t plan to become a researcher, understanding how psychological knowledge is built is essential in counseling. If possible, get involved in a research lab or assist a professor. If that’s not immediately available, you can still build this skill by engaging deeply with academic literature, learning basic research methods, or contributing to small projects. It signals that you can think critically and apply evidence in practice.
You’ll also stand out by building a clear area of interest within mental health. Instead of saying “I want to help people,” start refining that into something more specific over time, such as working with at-risk youth, trauma-informed care, substance use, or community mental health. You don’t need to lock it in now, but having direction makes your experiences feel intentional rather than scattered.
From a strategic standpoint, relationships matter more than many students realize. Building strong connections with professors, supervisors, and mentors gives you guidance but also leads to meaningful recommendation letters, something that carries significant weight in competitive Master’s applications.
Lastly, one of the most overlooked ways to stand out is how you articulate your journey. Keep track of what you’re learning from each experience. Reflect on challenges, growth, and insights. When it’s time to apply for graduate programs, being able to clearly communicate not just what you did but how it shaped you can set you apart in a very real way.
So instead of trying to compete by doing more, focus on being more intentional and aligned. Build experience, develop real skills, form meaningful connections, and gradually define your niche within mental health. You don’t need to be “different” from every psychology major; you just need to be someone who has clearly taken the time to grow into the role you’re aiming for. And you’re already thinking in that direction, which is a strong start.
Best wishes!
You’re right, psychology is a popular major, and on its own it doesn’t automatically differentiate you. But in mental health counseling, what makes you stand out isn’t the title of your degree; it’s the depth of your experience, the clarity of your focus, and the evidence that you’re already developing as a helping professional. Think of your goal as building a profile that answers one question for graduate programs and future employers: “Can this person work effectively with real clients in real situations?” Everything you do in college should move you closer to a confident “yes.”
One of the highest-impact areas is hands-on, people-centered experience. You want to be in environments where you’re interacting with individuals who need support; this could be volunteering with youth programs, crisis support lines, community mental health organizations, rehabilitation or reentry programs, or campus peer support services. These experiences do two things: they build your practical skills, and they show commitment to the field beyond the classroom.
In addition to that, focus on developing core counseling-related skills. Active listening, empathy, emotional regulation, and communication are foundational. You won’t master them overnight, but you can start practicing them intentionally, through peer mentoring roles, group facilitation, or even reflective journaling about your interactions and growth. Programs value applicants who are self-aware and actively developing interpersonal competence.
Another key differentiator is research and evidence-based thinking. Even if you don’t plan to become a researcher, understanding how psychological knowledge is built is essential in counseling. If possible, get involved in a research lab or assist a professor. If that’s not immediately available, you can still build this skill by engaging deeply with academic literature, learning basic research methods, or contributing to small projects. It signals that you can think critically and apply evidence in practice.
You’ll also stand out by building a clear area of interest within mental health. Instead of saying “I want to help people,” start refining that into something more specific over time, such as working with at-risk youth, trauma-informed care, substance use, or community mental health. You don’t need to lock it in now, but having direction makes your experiences feel intentional rather than scattered.
From a strategic standpoint, relationships matter more than many students realize. Building strong connections with professors, supervisors, and mentors gives you guidance but also leads to meaningful recommendation letters, something that carries significant weight in competitive Master’s applications.
Lastly, one of the most overlooked ways to stand out is how you articulate your journey. Keep track of what you’re learning from each experience. Reflect on challenges, growth, and insights. When it’s time to apply for graduate programs, being able to clearly communicate not just what you did but how it shaped you can set you apart in a very real way.
So instead of trying to compete by doing more, focus on being more intentional and aligned. Build experience, develop real skills, form meaningful connections, and gradually define your niche within mental health. You don’t need to be “different” from every psychology major; you just need to be someone who has clearly taken the time to grow into the role you’re aiming for. And you’re already thinking in that direction, which is a strong start.
Best wishes!