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Marcus Haase is a senior Honors College student majoring in psychology. Throughout his course work at Kent State, Marcus has found that he has a special interest in clinical psychology. When he told Dr. Shannon Ciesla, one of his psychology professors, about his interest in clinical psychology, she recommended that Marcus consider interning with to gain experience and insight into the field. Townhall II is a community organization located in downtown Kent, dedicated to supporting community members through a number of mental health and crisis resources. The resources offered by Townhall II fall into four main categories: emergency services, addiction prevention and treatment, health and wellness, and the rape crisis center. Marcus was nervous to apply to the organization in the spring of 2020 because he was worried about how different the internship experience might be in the midst of the pandemic. Nonetheless, Marcus applied, and in the fall of 2020, he was accepted to intern with Townhall II.

Marcus’s internship was through Townhall II’s emergency services, specifically the 24 Hour Crisis Helpline, where operators support callers through crises such as substance abuse, domestic violence, suicidal thoughts, and other important subjects. In order to work on the Helpline, Marcus first had to complete extensive training, and during these first few months of his internship, Marcus attended eight hours of training each week. Half of each training session consisted of a lecture about relevant topics, such as substance abuse, sexual assault, and suicide, while the other half involved role-plays designed to help volunteers practice answering hypothetical calls and receive feedback from trainers. After the training portion, Marcus began answering calls on the Helpline. “Since I’m still a New Trainee,” Marcus notes, “I still get tons of feedback from my supervisors, for which I am more than grateful!” This semester, Marcus is still volunteering with Townhall II’s Helpline, an experience he describes as “unforgettable.”

When asked what advice he could give, Marcus encourages his fellow Honors College students to seek out internships specific to their career interests, noting that a key to finding beneficial internships is the Kent State faculty. Marcus adds, “Don’t be afraid to talk to professors to help you find what’s available!” He notes how helpful Dr. Ciesla was in finding a relevant internship that would prepare Marcus for graduate programs, and he adds that each department at Kent State has faculty who “are familiar with what might be a good fit for you and [know] what you can expect.” Marcus received help from one of his professors, but another great resource for students in search of internship opportunities are the Honors College’s academic advisors, who can help connect students to campus resources. Relatedly, another helpful resource at Kent State is the Department of Career Exploration & Development, which offers many outlets for students to find internships and other career-related opportunities. Asking for support helped Marcus find his position at Townhall II, which Marcus says is a great opportunity for him to prepare for graduate programs in clinical psychology. His training with the organization has helped Marcus become “someone that people want to talk to[,]” which is an important trait for a prospective clinical psychologist. The internship also helped Marcus learn how to apply the skills he learned in his major courses, which, Marcus adds, “reinforced my desire to become a clinical psychologist . . . [and] motivated me to explore a future as a psychologist working for a non-profit organization.”

Not only will his internship prepare Marcus for graduate programs in clinical psychology, but he also says that his experience at Townhall II has equipped Marcus with life skills. “I cannot understate,” Marcus says, “how important I’ve felt my time at Townhall II has been . . . in helping me grow as a person.” He explains that the supportive feedback from his supervisors has helped him learn, and his experience working on the Helpline has expanded his comfort zone. Marcus is grateful for his ongoing experience with Townhall II and is excited to pursue his studies in clinical psychology.

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PHOTO CAPTION 1: Outside view of the Townhall II building, where Marcus interned.

PHOTO CAPTION 2: Marcus Haase, wearing a mask while working in the 24 Hour Crisis Helpline at Townhall II

Media Contact: Stephanie Moskal, smoskal@kent.edu, 330-672-2312