I was nervous, really nervous. What was I nervous for? Well, this semester I started an internship. Why was I nervous? I was nervous because I didn’t want to hate it. I was given the opportunity to intern in a program that I knew was very similar to what I wanted to pursue as a career. As time passed over winter break, I grew more scared each day. I was worried that I would find out that something I had been able to see myself doing would end up being something that I disliked. If that happened, I wondered where it would leave me and how I would figure out what I wanted to do with my life instead.
Fortunately for me, I love my internship. It is more amazing than I ever expected. I was placed at an intensive outpatient facility, where the clients struggle with various mental illnesses or cognitive impairments. My day consists of going to groups, talking to people, and listening to people. I couldn’t imagine it being any different. As a psychology major, I have always imagined a career similar to this experience that I thankfully have been exposed to.
I have met some truly amazing and inspiring people, including clients, staff and other interns. One of the most important things for me is that I feel like I’m truly learning so much: from everyone. I feel like I learn something new from each individual every day. During groups where we learn and discuss various helpful topics, I find myself interested and it feels like I am learning with the clients. Working with so many different amazing people is truly a blessing and I feel lucky to have such an opportunity.
This experience is positively impacting my life, and I hope that the program does that and more for its clients.