Internships Set Psychology Students Up for Success

Opportunities Both On and Off Campus

As part of Western Colorado University’s dynamic Psychology program, students are given opportunities both on and off campus to further their understanding of the human mind and come closer to their ideal occupations.

Scholarship, independent research opportunities, and internships are the ways Western approaches furthering education and ensuring success.

“There are a wide variety of internships completed by our psychology students,” said Professor Lindsey C. Fast, Ph.D. “Some of the most regularly occurring internships involve placements at the probation department, Gunnison County Substance Abuse Prevention Project (GCSAPP), Project Hope, Six Points and Mentors. We have placed individuals into the Delta school system and in random internships from Dish Network in Denver to the hospital in Grand Junction.”

Earning Credits

Internships are offered not just to ease students into careers, but are also incentivized in the form of credit towards a psychology major, should they secure one. The goal is for students to access hands-on experience otherwise unavailable in a classroom setting.

“Learning is one thing but taking those skills into the workforce and applying them is a great way to explore different career paths and specializations that suit individual interests,” said Fast. “With 56 divisions of psychology, students can choose so many different career paths – sometimes they think they’re interested in a specific area and after they complete their internship, they have a better understanding regarding their interests and sometimes discover they want to change pathways altogether.”

Finding the Best Opportunities for the Future

Fast states that the department usually has no less than 10 students each semester taking part in an internship, resulting in those students finding the best opportunities for their future.

“Students may not only be going up against other college graduates for a job, but also against applicants who have experience in the industry,” said Fast. “That’s where an internship can do you some good. Internships allow you to learn about the industry through actual job experience. To potential employers, that means they won’t have to expend as many resources to properly train you. Even better, many companies prefer to hire internally, which means many of their entry-level positions could be offered to current interns.”

Learn More About Internships

To speak to an advisor about internship opportunities and career planning, visit Western’s Career Services department.