University of New England

Internships are an integral part of the educational experience in the Department of Psychology at the University of New England. Students are required to take two internships for a total of six academic credits. We try to place the student in sites that allow them to explore areas and skills of interest. Listed below is a descriptive sampling of some of the interesting sites that are available for internships, as well as a complete list of internships recently on file. For more information on the following internships, please contact Professor Nancy Rankin at Ext. 2479 or at Nrankin@une.edu.

Internship Guidelines

Psychology Department, University of New England

Registration

Pre-enroll in PSY 300 for your first internship or PSY 400 for your second internship or add the course during ADD/DROP.  Pre-enrolled students will receive preference. Those that have pre-enrolled AND selected a site that has been approved get first preference.

Site Selection

Discuss your interests and options as well as the internship requirements with your advisor and the Internship Coordinator:

Nancy E. Rankin
Psychology Department
325 Decary Hall
Nrankin@une.edu
Ext. 2479

• After reviewing the options and selecting several choices, arrange to have an interview with a potential Site Supervisor.
• During the interview you should describe the internship and outline UNE's expectations of internship students and determine the expectations of the potential Site Supervisor.
• If the site does not seem suitable to you for any reason, arrange for another interview at another site or discuss additional options with the Internship Coordinator.
• If the site is suitable, notify the Internship Coordinator for verbal approval of the decision and any conditions related to it.

Internship Agreement

• Fill out the Internship Agreement form which must be signed by the Site Supervisor and you.
• Return this form to the Internship Coordinator before the first meeting of the Internship class.
• The site is considered approved only after the Internship Coordinator has signed the Internship Agreement form.

Please Note:  You must have an internship site secured before the first meeting of the Internship class.

Internship Agreement Form

People's Regional Opportunity Program (PROP)

Website

A private non-profit organization mandated to examine the causes and conditions of poverty in it's service area, to establish priorities regarding the most efficient use of it's resources, to develop, operate and administer programs to reduce poverty, to provide services for unmet needs and to promote interagency cooperation and service coordination, among other things. Their program categories are housing and energy services, nutrition and hunger prevention, family support, and transportation. PROP's overall goal is to help families move toward self sufficiency and economic independence. Intern should possess good writing, and verbal communication skills, must be well organized and enjoy research. May be required to travel to meet with clients, etc.

Very Special Arts, Portland, Portland

Website

A non-profit arts organization that provides educational opportunities through the arts by, with and for people with disabilities. Founded over 20 years ago at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington D.C., VSA is an international network that uses the arts to teach acceptance, inclusion, creativity, and self-worth. Duties would include assisting the program coordinator in organizing, planning and executing their art activities for programs such, as Camp Signawatha, a camp for adults who are deaf and have mental retardation; as well as at group homes for adults with mental retardation. VSA Maine serves a diverse population. Consequently, interns need to enjoy working with several different kinds of people, have a sense of humor, possess superior organization skills and be adaptable to a constantly changing work environment.

Maine Youth Center, South Portland

Website

A facility housing juvenile offenders with a variety of needs. Interns will function as mentors in a “big brother/big sister” capacity. As such, daily visits will consist of varied activities depending upon the resident as well as the initiative of the intern. Juvenile offenders frequently come from family and/or social situations where boundaries are blurred and consistency may not exist. Consequently, they can benefit greatly form a relationship wherein the mentor truly cares about them and enjoys the visit. Interns must be willing to give more than is received in an effort to help the resident open up. Intern must be flexible, organized and comfortable working one-on-one with juvenile offenders. Dependability is imperative.

New England Aquarium, Boston

Website

Education Intern. Responsibilities would include: Interpret New England Aquarium exhibits and present informal talks for visitors in the galleries; staff outreach education programs and/or teach classes for children; design, develop, and implement an educational program, curriculum, or science kit.

Bureau of Mental Retardation, Portland, Maine

An intern would have the opportunity to provide case management services, social services and coordinate provision of services. Interns would need to facilitate consumers in directing their own services. Working hours are M-F, 8-5 pm. Hours worked by intern are negotiable.

Center for Grieving Children

Website

Student interns will work as group facilitators in small support groups for those that are grieving the loss of family members and friends. Agency training necessary for facilitating group discussions. Next training session begins Jan. 1. Wednesday and/or Friday evenings, 5:00-9:30 pm, one year commitment desired.

Court Appointed Special Advocate Program (CASA)

Website

Interns would meet with the child, natural parents, foster parents, social worker, and any others who have information which would help in understanding the family situation. They would also present a written report of findings to the District Court and remain involved to insure that the child and family receive necessary services. The primary qualifications are concern for children; desire to help; maturity to understand and deal with complex emotional situations; ability to remain objective; willingness to cooperate.

Criminal Law Internship Program
Spend the first week in an intensive training program learning basic techniques. Upon completion of training, interns are assigned one or two staff attorneys in the trial division. This is NOT a desk job. Someone who thrives on the challenge of fast paced on-the-job learning and interacting with a variety of people in a range of settings.

Crotched Mountain
There are many opportunities for internships and cooperative work/study programs in the following majors: occupational therapy, physical therapy, psychology, elementary education (teacher practicum). The individuals that the Crotched Mountains have worked with are among the following: cerebral palsy, spina bifida, visual and hearing impairments, neurological disabilities, orthopedic disabilities, developmental disorders, mental retardation, behavioral and emotional disorders, medical syndromes, seizure disorders, head injury. A pamphlet and videotape are accessible to all who are interested, upon request.

Drug Rehabilitation Inc. (Day One), Cape Elizabeth, Maine

Website

Marketing/public relations intern needed. Intern will report to the director of administration and works with the administration secretary on special projects established by the management team and Board of Directors. The intern will meet with the Development/PR Committee of the Board of Directors as needed and will participate in special events planned by Day One staff and board members. Enrollment in a college-level Marketing, Communications, or Public Relations course preferred. Service or human relations industry experience desirable. Hours of work and weekly commitment negotiable.

Family Crisis Shelter, Portland, Maine

Website

Shelter advocate: intern is responsible for answering the hotline, transporting women and children to the shelter, maintaining records, working directly with individual women and children at shelter, participating in routine maintenance and administrative duties, and/or assisting with the facilitation of groups.Most useful as a 20 hour placement working 4-5 days a week. Or two interns.

Greater Portland National Organization for Women, Portland, Maine
Our chapter is concerned primarily with grassroots activism for Women's Rights. In the past, interns have adopted a project around pet issues and, with guidance form experienced activists, have followed it through to a successful completion. Conditions of internship are flexible and individual, based on agreements made between intern and supervisor.

Headstart

Website

Opportunity to work with and assist pre-school children in a classroom setting, participate in the developmental assessment process, and assist with developing individual education plans (IEP) for each child.

Infant Development Center

Students participate in all aspects of classroom activities with special needs children, ages from birth to five years. Responsibilities include: appropriate play with children, planning and leading small group activities, daily written observations on individual children, aiding in functional living skills (washing hands, dressing, eating, toileting), help prepare snacks, assist in cleanup, and attend weekly staff meetings. Students are in the center from 8:30- 12:30 p.m., when the children have their activities. The center is open Monday-Friday. Student and coordinator may work out the exact hours and days of internship.

Maine Medical Center-Pediatrics, Portland, Maine

Intern will be working with hospitalized children ages 0-18 years. Responsibilities include interacting with parents and children, providing art activities, assisting the Child Life staff. Good communication skills are a must. Days: Mon-Fri, 10 hours. Two - four interns.

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