Several Edinboro undergraduate psychology interns – under the direction of Dr. Heather T. Snyder – have collectively completed 2,700 hours of community service during their fall 2024 internships.
The Department of Psychology, Counseling and Art Therapy at PennWest Edinboro recently announced that Paige Geason, Vincent Irving, Tara Murphy and Alura Stehley have completed 12-credit internships at schools and institutions throughout Erie County, Pennsylvania.
Undergraduate internships in psychology are typically undertaken by students following their junior year. Internships provide students with an opportunity to obtain professional work experience in a variety of settings in the field of psychology.
Paige Geason completed her internship at Perry Elementary School, part of Erie’s Public Schools. She plans to take a gap year to work as a long-term substitute teacher prior to continuing her psychology education.
“Internships are immensely valuable in planning your post-college plan whether it be a career or more schooling,” she said.
Vincent Irving served his internship at the residential setting of Sarah Reed Children’s Center in Erie, Pennsylvania. Following his internship, he plans to become a full-time employee at Sarah Reed and finish his bachelor’s degree in psychology and art therapy.
“It’s valuable to experience working with people and not just learning about a textbook character,” he said.
Tara Murphy also completed her internship at Sarah Reed Children’s Center, with a focus in the acute partial hospitalization program. At the conclusion of her internship, Murphy plans to graduate and pursue her master’s degree in clinical counseling.
“The immense personal growth I have gained from my internship experiences would have been impossible had I chosen not to do it,” she said.
Alura Stehley completed her internship with blended case management services at the Achievement Center of LECOM Health in Erie, Pennsylvania. Following the internship, she plans to finish her last semester at Edinboro to complete her bachelor’s degree in psychology – and then work at the Achievement Center while pursuing a master’s degree.
“Completing an internship has validated my knowledge after years of learning, while teaching me the true value of compassion, kindness, patience and empathy,” she said.