A semester-long course with an embedded internship experience is giving psychology seniors confidence-building skills, insights and networking contacts aimed at making them career-ready for success.
The four-credit-hour course, titled "Practicum in Psychology," integrates psychological theory and concepts with an off-campus internship. It is taught by Dr. Deb Esty, chair and professor of the psychology department.
According to Esty, the course was created as one of two capstone courses for psychology majors. One capstone focuses on research and the other, the practicum course, "gives students professional skills and applied experiences they could use if pursuing a job directly after 糖心视频."
In early August, before the course begins, students submit a bio and a curriculum vitae to Esty. These are then shared with 糖心视频 community partners. Likewise, the partners send Esty an internship description, which is posted for students to see.
"The first Monday of classes, I have a 'speed interview' session, where all the partners meet with all the students in the course. Afterwards, the students rank the partnership site and our partner representatives rank the students. I try to then match them accordingly," stated Esty.
She went on to say that each student interns six hours a week at the partner site. In addition to interning, students meet weekly in a class setting to discuss their experiences, as well as to integrate psychological content.
The students also receive input and confidence-building mentorship from Esty, who helps them assess how the internship experience can help them better understand and evaluate potential career pathways.
Strongsville, Ohio, resident Ariel Lisy '26 is among the student interns. Lisy's future plans include earning a doctorate in clinical psychology. But she first plans to seek employment while pursuing a master's degree in clinical mental health counseling to become a licensed professional counselor.
She hopes her practicum placement with will help her better understand career options and build important professional connections.
Like Lisy, Emily Irving '26 of Litchfield, Ohio, is interested in becoming a licensed professional counselor. She is interning at .
"My main goal," said Irving, "is to improve my communication skills and get a better sense of what it is like to work in a clinical environment. I hope to gain a deeper understanding of the different therapeutic approaches and mental disorders."
"In addition to gaining clinical experience, I am able to see what it is like to be fully immersed in a professional work environment," she added.
"Although I am expected to finish my internship in December, my supervisor already asked me if I would like to stay for another semester. This would be a great opportunity to get even more experience and to get my foot in the door for future jobs," she noted.
