This summer, I worked as a research assistant at Christopher Newport University under the mentorship of Dr. Tripp Riggins. Christopher Newport University is a public university located in Newport News, VA. Dr. Riggins is a psychology professor whose research focuses on adult attachment styles and mental health conditions as outlined in the DSM-5. Working alongside him, I assisted in advancing his current and upcoming research projects through coding data and conducting literature reviews. I was also given the exciting opportunity to develop a new research study alongside Dr. Riggins exploring the concept of “AI psychosis,” which is a new and emerging area within the field.
Before this internship, I was not well versed in the research world. This left me unsure whether I could succeed as the sole research assistant for someone, without other student researchers to turn to for support. However, as the internship progressed, I began applying the knowledge and skills I had learned in my psychology courses, like PSYC 300, and found that I was more prepared than I realized. By the end of my internship, I recognized that I already had many of the tools and skills that I needed to succeed, thanks to my time at Richmond.
I am proud of both the skills I gained and the ones I refined this summer, which taught me that I am capable of adapting to new challenges. Further, I am proud of the research project I began with Dr. Riggins, which I plan to continue contributing to throughout the upcoming school year.
This internship was an excellent way to continue my psychology studies over the summer while stepping outside the University of Richmond community. By getting involved in new research, I learned a great deal about Dr. Riggins’s areas of expertise, particularly adult attachment styles, and I gained a new perspective on what research can look like. This experience prepared me for the upcoming semester, where I will begin conducting honors research with Dr. Jane Berry and Dr. Adam Stanaland. Based on what I learned this summer, I feel much more confident and equipped to head into that project.
After I graduate this spring, I plan to attend graduate school for clinical psychology. I intend to apply to both PhD and PsyD programs that will provide me with the skills, education, and clinical experience necessary to become a psychologist. This summer’s research experience has strengthened my passion to pursue this path and given me a clearer sense of the kind of work I want to continue doing.
My advice for students considering internships in psychology is to reach out to organizations, professors, or anyone whose work interests you and ask them if you can help them in their lab or office. Many professionals are more than happy to help students who show care and passion for the field, and opportunities can arise because you were willing to ask even if there was no official position posted.
Thank you to Dr. Riggins for the opportunity to work alongside him, and to Erin Ford from Career Services and Dr. Berry for their guidance and support throughout my internship experience. Finally, I am especially grateful to the donors who made this internship experience possible.