Britta, Psychology ’27
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Author: acnels
Britta
Major
Psychology
2025 – 2026 Internship
Second District of Corrections in Iowa, working in Fort Dodge and Ames.
What advice do you have for students regarding internship/job searches?
“Always connect with people. I wouldn’t have expected my hometown connection with my fellow baristas, my customers, and just going in when I was trying to get into the Ames office. I kept sending emails and I was like I don’t think I am making the impression I want to, so I’m just going to go in, introduce myself, talk about what I’m about, and what I like to do, and I think that has gotten me through life pretty good, just going in and actually making an impression, rather than doing it over email.”
How did you find out about the internship(s)/job(s)? What did the process look like from applying, interviewing, etc.?
“I knew a court reporter. I was a transfer student coming to Iowa State, and I wanted to add on to my degree, but I didn’t know what that would mean for my academic planning. When I added a criminal justice minor, I needed to get an internship. I mentioned that when I was having lunch with a court reporter, who I was having lunch with when I first moved here, who then connected me with her friend’s dad, who was a mental health supervisor for the 2nd district. He got me into the Fort Dodge office and connected me with a supervisor in the Ames office.”
How has the job/internship helped you prepare for your next career steps?
“It has helped me understand what community corrections is about. A lot of Psychology majors go into college thinking they’ll have to get a master’s or a doctorate to get a job. For probation and parole, you can get a bachelor’s, and if you want to move on to a supervisor or go up in the ranking, you can go back. I really found my passion through community corrections, combining my criminal justice and psychology interests into one thing. One of the things that my internship has helped me with is understanding course content. You can sit and listen to all these lectures and lessons. Until you get into the courtroom and see people interacting with the clients, you don’t really understand what’s going on or that feeling. It gives opportunities to take little stepping stones in your career rather than just diving in.”
What advice do you have for students seeking work experience in their field of study?
“Just get out there. One of the things people get cold feet about is actually going in and talking to somebody. You can apply on LinkedIn, but you need to get your foot in the door at some point, whether that’s going to a conference or a career fair, and just talking to those professionals one-on-one and getting their contact information.”
What are your plans after graduation?
“I think I am going to take a gap year and try to work in a residential facility or a probation office in Minnesota, then go back for my Master’s.”
What recommendations would you make to other students who are considering taking the internship for credit course?
“Take initiative in everything that you do. This is your experience, so you have to take what you want from it. Document everything you’ve learned in a spreadsheet/doc because it really connects the concepts that you have from your classes. Take the time to discuss those things that you’ve learned in class and bring them into their work, and discuss them with those professionals.”
How did you hear about the unpaid internship scholarship?
“I was scrolling through scholarships one day and saw an unpaid internship. I didn’t think I would get it, but I applied anyway. I also learned about the unpaid internship in my transfer class.”
How did the scholarship support you in meeting the expectations of your internship?
“I have to drive back and forth from Fort Dodge, so that’s an expense that I have to take off of my monthly budget. It alleviates some of that stress, and I can go into my internship knowing I don’t have to be at work making money to cover my living expenses.”
What recommendations would you make to other students who are applying for the scholarship?
“Even if you don’t think you’ll get it, apply.”