Student Benefits

Finding the Perfect Internship: A Primer

By Alisia Ives
May 2006

It is the last great leg of our graduate journey: internship. And although our schools provide guidelines, those of us preparing for internship want to think carefully about what we need from our site. Sometimes things wedge their way into our motivation without our realization. For instance, when looking for a site, we may become more focused on making a positive impression on the interviewer than we are on our own needs.

If that happens, we may not express what we want clearly and end up at a site that isn’t a good match. Even though our program professors work hard to offer sites that are motivated to take on interns and are in compliance with internship requirements, things happen. For instance, a crisis in the life of a key site mentor, employee turnover, or a shortage of clients can affect the quality of internship experience. Remember too that our schools are only aware of what is happening if they are kept informed, so keep the dialogue flowing.

Toward the end of internship, schools that are accredited by CACREP may offer an opportunity to take the NCE prior to graduation. However, you must complete graduation requirements within a specified timeframe for the grade to stand. If you don’t, it is more money and planning to retake the test. And speaking of money, most of us won’t be paid for internship, and we’ll be ready to make (more) money upon completion. If you work at a site that is a good fit, you are more likely to be done in the planned timeframe, boost your counseling confidence, consequently boost your positive interviewing presence, and receive the best offers.

As you think about what you need from internship, consider the answers to these questions: What population do I want to work with? Is there a particular theory I want to use? Do I want to work with individuals, groups, and/or families? Is there an observation period? How long until I do the work directly? How many direct contact hours do I want in a week and how long will it take to achieve? What theories are used on site? Do my direct co-counselors have the same conception of internship as the person with whom I am interviewing? Will I receive an explanation of how group is run, what theory it is based upon, and what to look for in group? Will there be explanatory/educational discussion afterward? When will I co-facilitate and/or run the group alone? What has a typical day been like for an intern here?

In considering these questions before you interview, you will be in a much better place to obtain an internship in line with your needs. And it is out there, so have faith! Remember, if you and the site supervisor nod heads in agreement over the words “group experience” or “individual experience”, know what that means to you, and then ask what it means to the person with whom you are interviewing. It may not mean the same thing to both of you...or, you may happily agree. Good luck!

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