Grace, a first-year Psychology student, is eager to develop transferable skills that will set her apart in a competitive job market. Discover how participating in Intern Abroad HQ’s online Developmental Psychology program enhanced her understanding of this specialized field and supported her career goals.
Hi Grace! Can you tell us what it was like to begin your remote internship?
During my first week, I expected the remote Psychology internship to be more interactive, with live discussions or direct communication with professionals. However, the experience was quite different because much of the tasks involved watching recorded sessions and independently researching topics.
While this was unexpected, it gave me time to absorb information carefully and reflect deeply. Over time, I had a better understanding that observation itself is a valuable learning tool; especially when trying to grasp how psychological issues are handled in a specific cultural context.
If I could give some advice to future interns, I would say: “Be open to learning in quiet, indirect ways and do not underestimate the value of reflective observation.” This advice could apply to others as well, particularly those coming in with expectations shaped by more hands-on roles.
Can you share some of the key responsibilities you had as a remote intern?
In my online internship role, I was responsible for reviewing recorded sessions and meetings on a variety of topics within developmental psychology, including autism, ADHD, addiction, and women’s empowerment.
My tasks involved summarising key points, reflecting on observed challenges, and producing research-based reports. While my contributions did not involve direct client interaction, my internship tasks supported the organisation’s long-term goals by creating written materials that could inform future interns, document case patterns, and contribute to building a reflective archive of learning.
In the short term, this allowed staff to focus on service delivery while still maintaining educational outputs for students and observers like myself.
Did the internship challenge any of your assumptions about the field of psychology?
An unexpected situation I encountered was the wide variety of roles psychology professionals took on beyond traditional counselling or therapy. In one session on organisational psychology, the focus was not on treating individuals, but rather on improving workplace environments and employee wellbeing through structured interventions and communication strategies.
This was surprising to me, as I had originally assumed that the internship would focus primarily on clinical or developmental cases. It broadened my understanding of how psychology can be applied in professional and institutional settings, and made me more open to the idea of exploring alternative career paths within the field, such as consultancy or corporate wellbeing work. This was not something I had considered before the internship began.
Did you gain any new insights into diverse mental health and therapeutic approaches?
One of the most significant things I learnt was how to observe and interpret clinical behaviour in context. Watching recorded client sessions helped me understand how certain symptoms present differently across individuals, and how therapists respond based on each case.
I also gained a deeper understanding of the impact of culture on mental health, particularly in the Indian context, where approaches to psychological wellbeing can differ greatly from what I was previously familiar with.
The internship exposed me to a range of psychological subfields, some of which were clinical psychology, grief counselling, projective methods, career guidance, and autism rehabilitation. This variety broadened my perspective and helped me clarify some of my own interests for the future.
Lastly, the experience taught me the value of independent learning. By reviewing the material in my own time and carrying out background research, I was able to gain far more from the programme than I had initially expected.
What was the most memorable or impactful moment of your internship?
The most memorable moment was when I watched a session on autism rehabilitation and realised how much cultural context shapes the approaches used in therapy and support.
Another great memory was attending a live session where I had the opportunity to ask a client a question. That real-time interaction made the field of psychology feel very immediate and personal.
I also thoroughly enjoyed watching the recorded one-on-one sessions with clients. These gave me a deeper opportunity to observe client behaviour, pick up on nonverbal cues, and understand how different symptoms relate to various psychological disorders.
These sessions were far more impactful than general webinars because I was able to conduct my own research based on the cases and apply theory to practice.
In what ways has the internship helped you prepare for a future career in Psychology?
This internship has helped me clarify some long-term directions I am considering, working in mental health advocacy, particularly in addressing stigma around women and autism in the workplace, or pursuing research within developmental or occupational psychology.
Observing sessions on autism rehabilitation, women’s empowerment, and organisational psychology gave me insight into how social perceptions and systemic barriers affect both diagnosis and inclusion. I’ve become more aware of how cultural expectations shape mental health outcomes and how important it is to advocate for neurodiversity in professional settings.
The experience of writing structured reports, reflecting on case material, and researching relevant literature has also helped me develop academic skills that would support a research-based path. Both roles require strong cultural awareness, communication skills, and the ability to think critically about complex social and psychological issues, all of which I’ve begun developing through this internship.
Overall, I feel considerably more empowered to succeed in the field of psychology after this remote Psychology internship. Observing real clinical interactions, even in a remote format, provided invaluable insight into the therapeutic process, the variety of client presentations, and the nuanced ways in which professionals respond to individual needs.
This experience not only strengthened my academic understanding but also boosted my confidence in pursuing future opportunities. It showed me that learning doesn’t have to be limited to physical placements; with curiosity and initiative, meaningful progress can still be made remotely.
After this Psychology internship, what’s next for you now?
Looking ahead, I hope to build on what I’ve learned by gaining more practical experience, particularly in areas related to autism support and advocacy. I am especially interested in promoting autism awareness within the workplace, where there is often a lack of understanding or support for neurodivergent individuals.
In the future, I would like to work on initiatives or research projects that focus on making professional environments more inclusive and accessible for autistic people.
To move in this direction, I plan to finish my university degree with a 2:1 or higher and apply to postgraduate study, along with seeking out further training opportunities, volunteer roles, or internships where I can contribute to this cause more hands on, while continuing to expand my understanding of developmental psychology.
Overall, this remote internship experience has helped me focus my interests and given me the motivation to pursue work that can make a meaningful difference.
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