Massachusetts General Hospital, Center for Addiction Medicine, Boston, MA
For the most recent past, I have considered the reality of being a psychologist. I found such a love after taking Introductory Psychology at Williams College during my first semester. I fell in love with the experiments, the theories, the people who make it possible and the people who choose to investigate the others. There are many different disciplines that, although often intertwined, examine different aspects of the person’s or the society’s behavior that make it all the more potent a report and more valuable an insight. While not every experiment produces a new profound theory (in fact many more fail than are successful), some, with the use of sheer hard work and determination, matter to the very participants involved. That is the case with the experiments run at the Center for Addiction Medicine (CAM) at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH). Thanks to the generosity of the Kraft Family and the internship awarded to me by the Alumni Sponsored Internship Program (ASIP), I have had the pleasure of contributing to such an experiment.
At CAM, the primary role of the center is to conduct important experiments surrounding marijuana and cigarette usage in a variety of populations. One current study is examining the effects of cannabis on driving to quantify and qualify potential impairment. Another is investigating the effects of medical marijuana on cognition. The particular experiment which I have had the pleasure of contributing to is titled Project ARCHES (Adolescent Research on Cognition, Health, and Emotion, in Substance Use.) The subject of the project surrounds the potential cognitive deficits incurred by regular cannabis usage in adolescents (aged 13-19 years old). Some research in the past has shown the effects marijuana can have on the developing brain, among other variables. My clinical psychology experience previously had been limited to visual perception in depression and I had not the opportunity to work with participants. At CAM, I am able to engage personally with subjects who use marijuana, alcohol, and in some cases harder drugs. Despite my own personal beliefs or prejudices, I have found that each of the amazing kids I get to work with is much more than a simple statistic. This project asks these kids thousands of questions, to participate in iPad games, and to abstain from using marijuana (depending on the group they’re in). I can safely say that conducting urinalysis on their urine (to verify abstinence) is my least favorite part of the job.
In addition to running pee tests for THC (the active drug in marijuana), I participated in the entire process of the project at its present stage, from phone screening interested potential participants, helping run their mood interviews, and running the majority of visits, to helping design and post recruitment materials and aiding in preparations for a new longer protocol. While I believe that I was aptly qualified for the work, I have still learned quite a bit. From the experiment’s principle investigator, Dr. Randi Schuster, Ph.D., I have learned to always take value in my name. When I am listed as a contributing author on a paper, I have been instructed to always respond with edits or with simply an “all set” so as to make sure that wherever my name is or whatever it may be on, I am proud of that work. This is an extremely valuable lesson to me that I was fortunate enough to learn through this internship.
From my colleagues, I learned how to have fun while simultaneously holding the great responsibility of protecting confidentiality. At times it could be difficult to enjoy the work as is was tedious, but birthday celebrations and World Cup viewing parties made the time pass more quickly. Conversations with the Research Assistants, who were doing the job I anticipated doing one day, I learned a lot about the potential future I could have as a clinical psychologist. It has been most useful and eye-opening for me. And finally, from the participants, I have learned that a smile and care can go a long way. Making conversation with the participants and simply treating them like people rather than lab subjects helped me to be less awkward around them, and for them to be more cooperative and useful. I really appreciate these lessons.
At CAM, the research community is welcoming and youthful. There are a number of young college graduates using this center as a stepping stone to graduate school, medical school, and more. Being surrounded by a number of dedicated, intelligent, and kind people has been a worthy experience. In addition, it has been exciting to get to work with such powerful women, as the center is predominantly run by female psychologists, doctors, and administrators. It makes me very happy to see a successful and positive career in my future, even if clinical psychology research is not exactly my cup of tea. I believe that my time spent at the Center for Addiction Medicine has opened my eyes to the reality of clinical psychology research outside of the undergraduate setting. It has not been easy commuting nor getting up so early just to get to work on time but the work environment, which has been both inviting and professional, has been a good kind of different and very useful in terms of helping me decide the best route for my future.
This summer internship has introduced me to the joy of working with kids. While I am not much older than the kids I work with, they not only respect me but they also manage to still have fun with me. I really enjoyed the moments I had with the participants as well as with the research assistants. Although I had thought that I would want to do research as my full-time career after college, I have rethought my future in psychology. Working with participants was an interesting experience, but having a deeper connection with the actual people was much more engaging for me than simply sitting behind a computer putting together graphs of data. This opportunity has clearly opened my eyes to the different career options in clinical psychology and exactly what each might entail. Thanks to the ASIP, I was able to comfortably make the most of this experience. As I continue studying psychology at Williams, I hope to broaden my horizons and perhaps deepen my connections with the actual people involved in the research instead of treating them solely as laboratory specimens. I would like to thank the Kraft Family once again, as well as the Williams College ’68 Center for Career Exploration for all their additional help. Both have greatly impacted my understanding of future career possibilities as well as given be a greater appreciation for the people behind the behaviors in psychology.
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