The Karen M. Gil Internship program in psychology successfully finished its first semester Monday with a showcase.
Junior and senior psychology students who participated in the internship made academic posters to present the information they learned during their time as interns.
Dana Ripperton, internship program manager, said there are many draws to this program that makes it unique.
“This internship allows students to participate in a psychology program that ties both coursework and work experience together,” Ripperton said.
It was founded by an anonymous donor who named the program after Karen Gil, the dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. Ten to 12 psychology majors are chosen each semester for the program and are placed into internships catered to their specific interests.
There are six major subfields of psychology that students can go into: behavioral neuroscience, clinical, cognitive, developmental, quantitative, and social psychology.
Students are matched with an internship specific to their preferred subfield and participate in a 16-week program.
Ripperton said psychology students, especially undergraduates, typically do not have opportunities to get hands-on experience in their respective fields. This internship offers a stipend for students as well as course credit that supplements their academic careers.
Internship Director Steve Buzinski said in an email that he is not surprised by the success the program had during its first semester.