This summer, Thomas College students like Kyleigh Murchison ‘22 are staying busy with jobs and internships to gain crucial career skills. Kyleigh, who is conducting an internship with the Maine State Prison, says the experience is preparing her for a successful future after graduation.

A psychology major and science minor, Kyleigh is working with the Intensive Mental Health Unit at the Maine State Prison as a Behavioral Health Technician intern. Her job is to work with individuals with severe mental illness, practicing activity therapy that aligns with their individual treatment plans.

“I really like that I get to have a hands-on job that allows me to work one-on-one with the residents, while also getting to learn from the clinicians,” she says. “At my internship, I truly get to make a difference in their day-to-day lives, so that means a lot to me.”

Kyleigh felt prepared for this internship thanks to the professional and career development workshops and psychology classes with Dr. Tracey Horton.

“I am so grateful for the amazing opportunity that I am being given with my internship. I feel that if it was not for the education that I have received at Thomas College, I would not be able to maintain this internship. I also am very thankful to Wellpath and the Maine State Prison for hiring me as an intern!”