This summer, I have had the pleasure of interning at NAMI SNV as a data and analytics intern. Being able to see how a non-profit organisation operates to bring help to the community has given me lots of insight as a Psychology major. As a mental health organisation, the connections and networking that are possible for me to access have greatly benefited me and my major, and my association with NAMI will help me look more favorable for future career options. Furthermore, working with NAMI has allowed me to receive training in facilitating support groups and operating the helpline, which are great experience to add to my resume and skill set.
One aspect of my internship at NAMI I greatly appreciated is that I was able to go into my position with no experience. It felt like a perfect entry level position for me, and while my prior education was nice to have for it, it did not feel entirely necessary to score the internship and be successful in it.
I did enjoy my time spent with NAMI and plan to stay with them for job opportunities for as long as possible, however I do still plan to continue with my current path of becoming a clinical psychologist in a hospital setting. If I did want to pursue a full-time career with NAMI though, I would want to gain more experience with data entry, as well as possibly more certificates and training in peer recovery.
One piece of advice that I would give to any incoming interns is that there is no reason to be scared or stressed for your upcoming position! Working with NAMI is incredibly easy, and the working atmosphere will make you feel safe and seen. If there’s ever something you have a question about, don’t be afraid to ask a higher up, or even another intern! Everyone is looking out for each other, after all.
I have attached a flyer for NAMI's biggest fundraising campaign called NAMIWalks, which I got to help sort out data for and organize postcards to send out.
Hi Mary,
Your internship at NAMI SNV sounds like it was a great fit for your Psychology major and career goals. It’s impressive how you gained valuable skills in data analysis and support group facilitation, even with no prior experience. It’s also encouraging to hear that NAMI’s supportive environment made the experience enjoyable and stress-free. Your plans to continue with NAMI while pursuing a career as a clinical psychologist seem well thought out, and gaining more experience in data entry and peer recovery will be beneficial. Your advice to incoming interns about being open and asking questions is excellent. Thanks for sharing the NAMIWalks flyer—it's great to see the impact of your work!