Andrea from Anchorage, Alaska wrote in . . .

I will be looking for an internship and practicum site in July and I’m not feeling very confident about the process . . . .

Why would an agency want to bother with a student who knows so little and has no experience?”

I get questions like this every

"Oriang" by Amin Choc

semester and thought it might be useful to address this here so that others can read it, too.

Andrea, here’s what I know about why agencies, hospitals, and group practices want  you . . . .

Interns tend to be full of energy, optimism, and enthusiasm. Who wouldn’t want those qualities on site when the staff is likely to deal with addiction, abuse, illness, and death?

Interns see with “fresh” eyes. It is easy after being in the trenches of mental health for a while to become complacent and sloppy.  Teaching  / supervising you helps us stay sharp.

Interns are cost-effective. This is particularly important for non-profit agencies and organizations who survive on a “shoestring” budget.  These agencies often take great pride in being a training ground for new professionals – knowing that you will be lured away to more lucrative positions in a few short years.
Interns are often open to new information and new ways of doing things. Because of this, they are often more malleable to the culture and policies of a new placement – more so than those of us who have done things “our way” for a long period of time.

Interns that excel in their internships and practicums make great employees. Many sites for internships and practicums have a high rate of employee turnover.  If you stand out in your placements, it is likely that you will then become an obvious candidate for those newly opened positions.

If you have been in the position of hiring / supervising interns and practicum student, I hope you’ll drop in here and leave a few words of encouragement and advice to those just beginning their journey in the mental health professions!