Name: Jaclyn (Jie) Ji
Class Year: 2022
Major: Psychology
Hometown: Dalian, China
Internship Organization: HearMe
Job Title: Listener
Location: Remote
What’s happening at your internship?
This summer I worked as a listener at HearMe, an emotional wellness app that matches trained volunteers (like me) to members who feel lonely and want to talk through instantaneous text. I provide one-on-one active listening support to members of HearMe; I create a safe and judgement-free space and help people enjoy the benefits of being truly seen, heard, and validated.
Why did you apply for this internship?
I love HearMe’s idea of redefining mental health to make it more accessible and affordable. As a psychology major, I’m aware of the mental health crisis in the U.S. and in the world. The need to simply talk to someone is real and valid (especially in the post-COVID era) but talking to a therapist remains a privilege that isn’t available or affordable to everyone. I appreciate HearMe’s effort to build a sustainable peer support system and I want to a part of the change.
What is something you have learned from your internship that you didn’t expect?
Before starting, I was most worried about giving the most appropriate and timely response, like asking the most thought-provoking question. But at the first day of my job, I realized that it isn’t how this works. It’s not about what I say. This space is for the HearMe member, not for me. I was invited to offer my company to the member for the next half an hour (that’s usually how long one session lasts) and when I listen with empathy, the most natural response is the best help I can offer.
What has been the biggest challenge you have faced at your internship?
The challenging part of this internship is to find the balance between work and my personal life: I want to be 100 percent invested when listening to HearMe members but I don’t want that commitment to interfere with my personal life outside of work. I remember on a particular day, I received several inappropriate texts and I found my brain processing them hours after the conversations. At the same time, I don’t want to detach myself too much that members don’t feel heard. Thus, finding this balance between work and life has been the part where I find most challenging throughout this internship.
Visit the Summer Internship Stories page to read more about student internship experiences.