3 answers
Saylor
Student
Grimesland, North Carolina
1
Question
Updated
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What are the best internships, volunteer opportunities, or experiences as an incoming psychology major who wants to become a mental health counselor?
I am a high school senior who is going to be attending UNCW in the fall. I want to work with children in my field of study to help them live better lives and learn valuable life skills.
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3 answers
Sean Alexander
Retired
37
Answers
Los Angeles, California
Updated
Sean’s Answer
Consider volunteering at a local Boys and Girls Club to support their after-school activities. Wishing you the best of luck!
Chinyere Okafor
Educationist and Counseling Psychologist
1376
Answers
Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria
Updated
Chinyere’s Answer
Hi Saylor,
Since you already know you want to work with children, the smartest move is to choose experiences that put you directly around them early. You do not need anything advanced yet; what matters most right now is learning how to connect, support, and understand young people in real settings.
A good place to start is childcare and youth-focused roles. Think tutoring, after-school programs, summer camps, daycare support, mentoring, or volunteering in schools. These settings teach patience, communication, behaviour support, and how children actually respond in everyday situations. Those lessons carry straight into counseling later.
When you get to the University of North Carolina Wilmington, also look into campus opportunities. Psychology clubs, peer mentoring programs, child development centres, and especially research labs can help you build both experience and connections. Even if a lab is not focused on children, it still builds skills that graduate programs value.
You can also explore community-based mental health settings. Crisis lines (when you are eligible), youth support organisations, shelters, or nonprofits working with families can give you early exposure to real-life challenges children and teens face. These experiences help you understand the emotional side of the work, not just the theory.
Internships specifically in counseling may come a bit later, often in your junior or senior year. For now, focus on building a strong foundation: good grades, people-focused experience, and relationships with professors who can guide you.
One simple way to check if you are on the right path is to notice how you feel in these roles. Do you enjoy helping children learn, calm down, express themselves, or grow? If that interest stays strong even on hard days, that is a very good sign. You do not need a perfect plan yet. Start with real experience, stay consistent, and let each step move you closer to the kind of counselor you want to become.
Best wishes!
Since you already know you want to work with children, the smartest move is to choose experiences that put you directly around them early. You do not need anything advanced yet; what matters most right now is learning how to connect, support, and understand young people in real settings.
A good place to start is childcare and youth-focused roles. Think tutoring, after-school programs, summer camps, daycare support, mentoring, or volunteering in schools. These settings teach patience, communication, behaviour support, and how children actually respond in everyday situations. Those lessons carry straight into counseling later.
When you get to the University of North Carolina Wilmington, also look into campus opportunities. Psychology clubs, peer mentoring programs, child development centres, and especially research labs can help you build both experience and connections. Even if a lab is not focused on children, it still builds skills that graduate programs value.
You can also explore community-based mental health settings. Crisis lines (when you are eligible), youth support organisations, shelters, or nonprofits working with families can give you early exposure to real-life challenges children and teens face. These experiences help you understand the emotional side of the work, not just the theory.
Internships specifically in counseling may come a bit later, often in your junior or senior year. For now, focus on building a strong foundation: good grades, people-focused experience, and relationships with professors who can guide you.
One simple way to check if you are on the right path is to notice how you feel in these roles. Do you enjoy helping children learn, calm down, express themselves, or grow? If that interest stays strong even on hard days, that is a very good sign. You do not need a perfect plan yet. Start with real experience, stay consistent, and let each step move you closer to the kind of counselor you want to become.
Best wishes!
Kirsten Flowers
Learning and Development
4
Answers
Arlington, Virginia
Updated
Kirsten’s Answer
Congratulations on almost graduating and getting ready to start at UNCW! Here are some ideas to help you make the most of your time there:
- Join peer mentorship groups, like becoming a new student orientation leader. This can help you develop skills in teamwork and support.
- Look for student jobs on campus in places like the health center, counseling center, or career advising office.
- Check if UNCW has a community outreach program that connects with local organizations for kids.
- Attend the UNCW club fair to find clubs that focus on helping youth.
- See if the university has a childcare center where you can volunteer.
Wishing you the best of luck on this exciting journey!
- Join peer mentorship groups, like becoming a new student orientation leader. This can help you develop skills in teamwork and support.
- Look for student jobs on campus in places like the health center, counseling center, or career advising office.
- Check if UNCW has a community outreach program that connects with local organizations for kids.
- Attend the UNCW club fair to find clubs that focus on helping youth.
- See if the university has a childcare center where you can volunteer.
Wishing you the best of luck on this exciting journey!