06/03/2026
For many college students, internships are often viewed as a final academic requirement before graduation. But for Ronette Jade Trasmontero Aspan, the experience proved to be far more significant — a turning point that prepared her to face the realities of the professional world.
Before beginning her internship, Aspan often felt out of place in college. Being three to four years older than most of her classmates made adjusting to campus life difficult. Psychology was not initially her preferred program; financial constraints led her to pursue the degree. Yet what began as a practical decision gradually evolved into a deeply personal journey.
Through her coursework, Aspan discovered that psychology was more than the study of theories and diagnoses. It became a framework for understanding human emotions, coping with personal struggles, and developing resilience. The discipline offered her a path toward self-reflection and healing, eventually transforming her initial uncertainty into a growing sense of purpose.
Her most profound learning, however, took place outside the classroom during her internship at Whitecoat Psychological Clinic.
The first days were intimidating. Self-doubt and anxiety overshadowed her confidence as she faced the prospect of working with real clients. But with guidance from her program head and the supportive staff at the clinic, Aspan gradually gained the courage to step beyond her fears.
During the internship, she learned how to administer psychological assessments, conduct client interviews and assist in therapeutic support activities. More importantly, she began to understand that professional competence in psychology goes beyond technical knowledge.
“The moment I stopped worrying about myself and started focusing on listening to others, everything changed,” Aspan reflected. “Empathy cannot be learned from a book. You experience it when you truly hear people’s stories.”
The defining moment of her internship came on Jan. 31, 2026, when she joined a team providing psychosocial support to survivors of Super Typhoon Tino in Isabela. Despite trembling hands and racing thoughts, Aspan stepped forward to help individuals coping with trauma and loss.
The experience affirmed the purpose she had slowly discovered through her studies.
“In that moment, I realized that every challenge I faced had prepared me for this,” she said.
Educators say experiences like Aspan’s illustrate why meaningful internship programs are essential in higher education. While classroom instruction provides theoretical foundations, internships allow students to translate knowledge into practice, develop professional confidence and discover the real impact of their chosen fields.
Now continuing her internship at the Human Resource Development Office of La Consolacion College Bacolod, Aspan is exploring another dimension of psychology by assisting in employee performance evaluation processes. The assignment is helping her understand how psychological principles are applied in organizational settings, particularly in employee development and workplace performance.
For Aspan, the internship journey has redefined her view of her academic path.
What once began as a practical choice has become a calling.
Looking back, she sees her internship not simply as a graduation requirement, but as a transformative experience — one that shaped her into a more confident, compassionate and purposeful future psychology professional.
“Psychology may not have been my first choice,” she said. “But it became the path where I learned how to grow, heal and help others.”
