[[{"fid":"8620","view_mode":"default","fields":{"format":"default","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":false,"field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":false},"link_text":null,"type":"media","field_deltas":{"1":{"format":"default","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":false,"field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":false}},"attributes":{"class":"media-element file-default pull-left","data-delta":"1"}}]]Sarah Kiefer, a Fall Psychology Internship student at Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center recently shared with us her experience from her semester. We are proud to highlight her and her experience as a research project intern.

Major(s)/Minor(s): Psychology, BS (Psychological Sciences)

Semester of Internship: Fall 2018

Internship Site: Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center (SARRC)

Give an overview of your site and what you did while interning there.

I was assigned to work on the SKILL transition to adulthood study at SARRC. On this project, we interview adults with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and their caregivers about vocational skills, independent living skills, and life transitions. We use grounded theory methodology, a qualitative approach to coding and interpreting data. Working on this study has been impactful to my research experience, as I have gained an appreciation for the way in which qualitative research identifies the in-depth lived experience of individuals that might otherwise be missing from empirical literature. Findings from the SKILL study and similar qualitative studies can be used to develop intervention programs, develop further research hypotheses, and inform professionals how to better serve individuals with ASD.

Why did you choose this site for your internship?  Discuss how the site fits in with your career and/or academic goals.  

Quite honestly, I applied to intern with SARRC because I had heard so many excellent anecdotes about the organization and other interns’ experiences there. Additionally, going in to my senior year, I liked to pretend I had my career figured out, but realistically, I hadn’t narrowed down my list of interests. The pressure to find a focus within psychology was weighing on me. SARRC turned out to be the perfect place for me to affirm my desire of working in research and moreover, my interest in developmental psychology.

What did you like most about working at your site? What activities/responsibilities did you enjoy and learn the most from?

I greatly enjoyed learning more about ASD -- beyond my classroom understanding and personal experience. Working on a qualitative study on ASD allowed me to develop insight into the lives of individuals with ASD and the struggles and triumphs they experience with their families. I know historically, and still today, individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities are an incredibly vulnerable population. Although significant of progress has been made in the field of autism research, there are still a great deal of unknowns. I’d be thrilled to make any contribution to that, however small or however impactful.

What skills/knowledge did you gain at your internship that you will carry with you in your career path?

Working as an intern allowed me to significantly develop my communication skills. I’ve been challenged to be more confident in my contributions and my ability to work in a professional setting. Furthermore, I’ve gained professional references, working relationships, and potential job opportunities in the future.

Discuss your career goals and what your next steps are after you complete your Psychology degree.

This year I’ve learned to become comfortable with having goals, but not having my career figured out. Developmental psychology is inherently multidisciplinary, satisfying my broad range of research interests across the lifespan. I’m hopeful about attending graduate school for developmental psych after taking some time to gain more working experience.

What advice can you give to other students interested in pursuing an internship?

My advice to other students would be to continue giving different opportunities a shot. I hadn’t seriously considered working in autism research before my internship, and now I’m certainly passionate about it. Consequently, I believe pursuing an internship for a semester can be far more beneficial to your schedule than taking an additional elective course on campus. Wherever you might be working, whether that’s an internship or a lab position, take it seriously and seek mentorship from your supervisor!