Suggestions for work as an undergrad?

Gotaro said:

Are there any psychology-related jobs I could work with an AS? I'm actually not in school this semester, so I hope to work full-time until this fall. I'm a very psych-minded, logical, organized person, and I'd like to do something, anything, that at least interests me or benefits from my skills and personality type. All suggestions are appreciated! Is this just wishful thinking?

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It really depends on what you want to do in the long run. If you want to go to grad school I would suggest getting research experience. If you have an interest, pursue it because it will prove to be handy in the future. For me, I was interested in child development, so I found jobs that I could do that would pay and give hands on experience, like working for Americorps. There's plenty of things to do it's just knowing how to frame your interests and knowing where to find opportunities.

I'm not sure how much help this would be, but I had an AS and the only thing I could find that I might be qualified to do would be a 'Residential Counselor.' It might be worth looking into this. There are also keywords like 'Milieu Therapist' or 'Behavioral Therapist' that come up often and essentially mean: unlicensed, non-BA mental health worker (which requires a BA, usually).

Everything else required a BA/experience.. Which, to be honest, still hasn't landed me a job, yet. Hope this helps in the search; I second research experience, too, which can end up becoming paid.

You might want to look at various local agencies for positions, but with an AS you're really not going to find much. For the most part you'd probably end up working in the administrative side of things very far away from the real psych stuff.

I'd suggest also checking out community counseling clinics your local hospitals and various hubs that do psych related therapy. Sometimes local universities that have large research labs will hire some random assistants or administrative assistants.

By agencies I mean community mental health agencies. Just look around and you'll start to see them. Usually they're partially state subsidized mental health clinics that serve the community and target especially those in need. Also youth at risk outreach programs that deal with therapy are options.

whypsy said:

By agencies I mean community mental health agencies. Just look around and you'll start to see them. Usually they're partially state subsidized mental health clinics that serve the community and target especially those in need. Also youth at risk outreach programs that deal with therapy are options.

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when I was an undergrad, I took a semester off and worked as a residential treatment counselor. I think the actual term was "Psychiatric Care Specialist". Anyways, point is that NO, it required NO training at all. I worked at a poorly managed facility where violence happened more than you'd like. It was a meaningful turning point for me, because it kinda showed me I could take it, handle it, etc. To each their own, and by no means am I advocating you getting beat up for minimum wage only to learn that you like psych. Its just my personal experience. But those places have high turnover, so usually they'll take entry level people.

Gotaro said:

What did you do for AmeriCorps? From the website it sounds like I probably would have to wait until the summer to work for them, since it is otherwise a 9-month commitment.

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At my University we have the Jumpstart program, which is what I was involved in but it is a commitment during the school year. There could be other Americorps programs like America Reads which I think is an Americorps program at some schools. There are some programs that are commitment or summer programs, however

Where do you wish to work? I think in the web you could choose the best and fits you regarding with their requirements on seeking for a job.

Hope you could look one that fits you. Good luck on your search.


Camille Jude
Residential Treatment Centers

I was a mental health tech all through my undergrad. Had not the slightest problem getting the job, although it was an ominous looking 200 year-old state hospital, so maybe it just scared the other college kiddies off.... haha. Had no ideas it had gotten so competitive....economy maybe?

Sounds scary, but it's probably not. On the other hand it might be a little scary, but I think it should be fine.

Mental health tech is just a generic name for assistant. Your duties can range for getting coffee (getting more and more rare) to actually helping with paperwork and general care of patients/clients/subjects (more and more common). Just show your interest and motivation and you should be fine.

I'm not really sure where you are located, but if there is a psychiatric facility near you, or a hospital with some psych wards, it may be a good place to start. I started off one summer as a summer temp mental health worker, and worked my way in to a solid position on the staff. If you have no idea what you want to do with psychology, it is a great way to work with different types of patients (ranging from children to the elderly and substance abuse to psychotic disorders). I loved my experience where I was and would never give it back!

These positions are also known as Behavioral Health techs (BHT), I think it changes regionally. The norm entry level requirements since the economic crisis has been a combined five years of experience. So if you have an associates or a certain number of behavioral science credits, coupled with three years applicable work or volunteer experience, then you should gamble a stamp and send in an application. As far as what they do, they are psychiatric equivalent of a CNA. Many community colleges offer certifications in chemical dependency counseling, which is another short road into a preferably temporary psych related career.

erg923 said:

I was a mental health tech all through my undergrad. Had not the slightest problem getting the job, although it was an ominous looking 200 year-old state hospital, so maybe it just scared the other college kiddies off.... haha. Had no ideas it had gotten so competitive....economy maybe?

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REALLY. I applied to every mental health tech/worker position within a 30-mile range for over 2 years and landed exactly 1 interview, and only through the intervention of a relative. I had begun to think there was something wrong with my name.

Good to know. I spent my time as an RA during undergrad and most places I apply to disregard this in terms of looking at job experience. They're more interested in my grocery store position and the references for that.

I just hope I get a position soon, now that I have my BA.

Well that sucks. How long till you're 21? Maybe you could continue volunteering and take an unrelated job until then just for pay.

Sorry to hear that, though. And like others said already...yeah, residential counselors aren't therapists as much as just there to help manage the residents on the unit. And where I am, those non-degree-level helpers on the acute units are called "psych techs" or 'psychiatric technicians.'

I have worked in the field since graduation as various title incarnations of the "Mental Health Tech" style jobs. These are direct care and daily skills training positions with hospitals, private placement agencies or correctional facilities. Not sure about around Tulsa, but I do know there are others who will hire people under age 21. I dont particularly agree with it, however Trillium here in Oregon is one, and Id sooner have someone younger than 21 with SOME training/education over the 18-21 year old Kinesiology majors and dropouts they currently employ that have no clue about anything they are doing.

The job descriptions sound scary, and at times, the job is certainly stressful. I have had the opportunity to work with adolescents and young adults with Devereux in Texas, and now with Trillium in Oregon. Both agencies are long-term residential treatment facilities, with a variety of people with various issues in life.

These positions are about as good as it gets, even with a BA/BS degree if you cant work with the state or as a reasearch assistant. They can be challenging, but are more often pretty fun if you get to work outside of a state hospital setting. Research the doctrines of each agency and make sure that your beliefs match up, as you will be expected to carry out their treatment goals and reinforce their theraputic philosophies.

And forget about really doing anything as far as psychological treatment and planning. For the most part, even if you are considered part of the "treatment team" and invited to ISPs, the counselors and physicians will have already made up their minds about every detail, and you will bang your head against a wall. Just enjoy work, pad the resume, and gain the valuable real-world experience and letters of reccomendation.

I have a BA in psychology, still haven't found a full time job yet. I have been looking at some government jobs and mental health clinical agencies. All of these positions require MA or exp. Hard to get any exp at all when I can't even get hired in the first place. I regret not taking up internships while back in school. Maybe I should just sign up for volunteer work or internships right now? I have been looking at some psych tech jobs, the pay is pretty good. Too bad I can't apply until I complete the program and get licensed. Anybody know of jobs that I can take with a BA and no exp?? or a site with lots of psychology job postings?