2 answers
Chloe
Student
North Port, Florida
1
Question
Asked
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If I am wanting to be a psychologist what job should I try to take while in college?
I am going to be attending the University of Florida in Fall 2026 and want to know if anyone knows of any common job opportunities that align with psychology and/or childcare, as I want to work with children in the future.
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2 answers
Ariana Garita Herrera
Psychology
3
Answers
Alajuela, Alajuela Province, Costa Rica
Updated
Ariana’s Answer
Hi Chloe,
It’s great that you’re already thinking about gaining experience and developing skills to work with children. The best jobs during college are usually the ones that give you direct experience with kids, exposure to mental health settings, opportunities to develop communication skills, and a chance to observe behavior and development firsthand.
I would recommend looking into roles such as camp counselor, preschool or daycare assistant, after-school program staff, youth mentor, or even volunteering for a crisis hotline or at children’s hospitals. These experiences can help you build valuable skills while also confirming your interests within psychology.
Additionally, graduate programs in psychology place a strong emphasis on research experience, especially if you are considering pursuing a PhD in the future, so getting involved in research opportunities during college can also be very beneficial.
It’s great that you’re already thinking about gaining experience and developing skills to work with children. The best jobs during college are usually the ones that give you direct experience with kids, exposure to mental health settings, opportunities to develop communication skills, and a chance to observe behavior and development firsthand.
I would recommend looking into roles such as camp counselor, preschool or daycare assistant, after-school program staff, youth mentor, or even volunteering for a crisis hotline or at children’s hospitals. These experiences can help you build valuable skills while also confirming your interests within psychology.
Additionally, graduate programs in psychology place a strong emphasis on research experience, especially if you are considering pursuing a PhD in the future, so getting involved in research opportunities during college can also be very beneficial.
Thank you so much!
Chloe
Chinyere Okafor
Educationist and Counseling Psychologist
1403
Answers
Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria
Updated
Chinyere’s Answer
Hi Chloe,
You are thinking ahead in a very smart way. Some students wait until graduation to look for relevant experience, but starting during college can give you a real advantage. If you hope to become a psychologist and work with children, jobs and volunteer roles that build people skills, child experience, and professional exposure can be very valuable.
One of the best options is childcare work. Roles such as babysitting, nannying, after-school programmes, summer camps, tutoring, or daycare support can help you learn child development, communication, behaviour management, patience, and relationship-building. Those skills transfer strongly into child psychology work.
You could also look for school-based roles. Working as a classroom aide, reading mentor, academic tutor, or youth programme assistant can give you experience supporting children in learning environments. This can be especially helpful if you later become interested in school psychology or educational settings.
Another strong path is mental health or community support work. Some organisations hire college students for entry-level support positions, peer mentoring, youth outreach, crisis support lines, or behaviour support roles. These opportunities can expose you to helping professions early and help you understand real-world client needs.
Since you will be attending University of Florida, I would strongly recommend exploring campus opportunities too. Universities often have psychology research labs, child development centres, tutoring programmes, and student support offices where undergraduates can gain experience. Becoming a research assistant can be especially valuable if graduate school is part of your future plan.
If paid jobs are limited, do not underestimate volunteering. Consistent volunteer work with children, youth mentoring groups, hospitals, community centres, or nonprofits can still build a strong résumé and meaningful skills. Sometimes volunteer roles lead to paid opportunities later.
My advice is to choose work that gives you three things: direct interaction with children, responsibility, and learning. A job does not need the title “psychology” to be useful. Even roles like camp counsellor or tutor can build exactly the skills that future graduate programmes and employers respect.
Also, protect your balance. Your grades, well-being, and adjustment to college matter too. It is better to do one meaningful part-time role well than overload yourself with too much too soon. You are already positioning yourself wisely. Start where you can, stay consistent, and let each experience build toward your larger goal of helping children in the future.
Best wishes!
You are thinking ahead in a very smart way. Some students wait until graduation to look for relevant experience, but starting during college can give you a real advantage. If you hope to become a psychologist and work with children, jobs and volunteer roles that build people skills, child experience, and professional exposure can be very valuable.
One of the best options is childcare work. Roles such as babysitting, nannying, after-school programmes, summer camps, tutoring, or daycare support can help you learn child development, communication, behaviour management, patience, and relationship-building. Those skills transfer strongly into child psychology work.
You could also look for school-based roles. Working as a classroom aide, reading mentor, academic tutor, or youth programme assistant can give you experience supporting children in learning environments. This can be especially helpful if you later become interested in school psychology or educational settings.
Another strong path is mental health or community support work. Some organisations hire college students for entry-level support positions, peer mentoring, youth outreach, crisis support lines, or behaviour support roles. These opportunities can expose you to helping professions early and help you understand real-world client needs.
Since you will be attending University of Florida, I would strongly recommend exploring campus opportunities too. Universities often have psychology research labs, child development centres, tutoring programmes, and student support offices where undergraduates can gain experience. Becoming a research assistant can be especially valuable if graduate school is part of your future plan.
If paid jobs are limited, do not underestimate volunteering. Consistent volunteer work with children, youth mentoring groups, hospitals, community centres, or nonprofits can still build a strong résumé and meaningful skills. Sometimes volunteer roles lead to paid opportunities later.
My advice is to choose work that gives you three things: direct interaction with children, responsibility, and learning. A job does not need the title “psychology” to be useful. Even roles like camp counsellor or tutor can build exactly the skills that future graduate programmes and employers respect.
Also, protect your balance. Your grades, well-being, and adjustment to college matter too. It is better to do one meaningful part-time role well than overload yourself with too much too soon. You are already positioning yourself wisely. Start where you can, stay consistent, and let each experience build toward your larger goal of helping children in the future.
Best wishes!