UX Research Intern - Summer 2026

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Research Intern - Summer 2026

Company: BetterHelp

Location: US - Remote

Job Type: Intern

Category: User Experience (UX) Research / Product Development

Date Posted: March 03, 2026

Experience Level: 0-2 Years (Internship)

Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• This internship offers a comprehensive, hands-on experience in the end-to-end User Experience (UX) research process within a fast-paced, mission-driven tech environment.

• The role focuses on contributing to meaningful research that directly impacts the accessibility and quality of mental healthcare services, aligning with BetterHelp's core mission.

• Interns will be fully integrated into product development cycles, collaborating closely with cross-functional teams including designers, data scientists, engineers, and product managers.

• Key activities include designing and executing various research studies, synthesizing findings into actionable insights, and presenting recommendations to inform product and design decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is specifically tailored for an internship, implying a focus on learning and development under guidance, rather than independent strategic ownership. The "Summer 2026" designation indicates a structured, time-bound program common for intern positions.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and execute research studies, such as usability testing, surveys, and user interviews, with direct guidance from a manager, to gather critical user insights.

• Actively support usability testing sessions, including planning, moderating or observing, and synthesizing findings to identify areas for product improvement.

• Translate complex research findings into clear, concise, and actionable insights and recommendations that directly influence product and design decisions.

• Develop foundational research artifacts, including user journeys and personas, to visually represent user understanding and support product strategy development.

• Contribute to the organization and maintenance of the research repository, ensuring that valuable insights are accessible and reusable across teams.

• Partner effectively with cross-functional teams (design, product, engineering, data science) to frame research questions and ensure research initiatives are aligned with business objectives and drive tangible impact.

• Prepare and present research findings in both written and verbal formats, tailoring communication to effectively reach diverse audiences, including stakeholders and product teams.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities listed are typical for a UX Research Intern, emphasizing foundational research activities, synthesis, and communication. The inclusion of "with guidance from your manager" and "support usability testing" highlights the learning and supportive nature of the internship.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Currently pursuing, recently completed, or returning to the workforce with relevant training or experience in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Psychology, Cognitive Science, Sociology, Human Factors, Data Analytics, or a closely related field.

Experience:

• Practical experience with common qualitative and quantitative research methods (e.g., usability testing, surveys, interviews) and understanding of when to apply them effectively.

• Experience with basic statistical analysis to interpret quantitative data and support research findings.

Required Skills:

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate findings, insights, and recommendations clearly and persuasively to various audiences.

• Collaborative mindset and demonstrated ability to work effectively within cross-functional teams, including designers, product managers, engineers, and data scientists.

• A genuine curiosity about user behavior and motivation, particularly within sensitive or emotionally charged contexts like mental health.

• High level of detail orientation and organizational skills, with a proactive interest in maintaining research documentation and contributing to knowledge management systems.

Preferred Skills:

• Prior experience in moderating usability tests or conducting user interviews.

• Familiarity with common survey tools (e.g., SurveyMonkey, Typeform), research platforms (e.g., UserTesting.com), or statistical software (e.g., SPSS, R).

• A demonstrated interest in mental health, digital health solutions, or products focused on behavior change.

• Experience working with or contributing to research repositories or knowledge management systems.

• An understanding of how user research findings connect to broader business outcomes, such as user retention and customer satisfaction.

📝 Enhancement Note: The educational requirements are broad, welcoming diverse backgrounds and career transitions, which is common for internship programs. The emphasis on a portfolio and applied project experience is crucial for demonstrating practical skills in lieu of extensive professional experience.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase at least one project that clearly outlines your research process from problem definition to insights generation.

• Include examples of research artifacts you have created, such as user interview scripts, survey questionnaires, user journey maps, or personas.

• Demonstrate your ability to synthesize research findings into actionable recommendations that could, or did, inform product or design decisions.

Process Documentation:

• Clearly articulate the research methodology used in your portfolio projects, explaining why specific methods were chosen.

• Document the steps taken to recruit participants, conduct studies, and analyze data, showing a structured approach.

• Illustrate how you translated raw data and observations into meaningful insights and strategic recommendations.

• Show evidence of presenting your findings, whether through slide decks, reports, or verbal summaries.

📝 Enhancement Note: For an intern role, the portfolio expectations are focused on demonstrating understanding and application of the research process, rather than extensive project management or strategic leadership. The emphasis is on the how and why of their research activities.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• The chance to contribute to building a service that profoundly changes lives and is highly regarded by its users.

• Access to an awesome community of dedicated and supportive co-workers.

• Meaningful projects that allow the application of academic knowledge to real-world challenges, providing both rigorous and rewarding hands-on work.

• Opportunities for growth and professional development through mentoring, job shadowing, lunch & learns, and project work designed to foster personal and professional advancement.

Working Hours:

• This is a full-time internship position, typically aligning with a standard 40-hour work week. While not explicitly stated, the remote nature and focus on PST operations suggest flexibility within this framework, with potential for some overlap with PST working hours to facilitate collaboration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range is explicitly provided, which is helpful for candidates. The benefits are framed around learning, impact, and community, typical for internship programs. The mention of PST operations suggests a need for some alignment with that timezone, even for a remote role.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Mental Health Tech / Digital Health; focused on providing accessible online therapy services.

Company Size: BetterHelp is a significant player in the online therapy space, indicated by its network of over 30,000 licensed therapists and millions of users served. While specific employee count for the tech/product side isn't detailed, its scale suggests a robust, well-funded operation with dedicated teams.

Founded: Founded in 2013, BetterHelp has grown to become the world's largest online therapy service, indicating a history of innovation and sustained growth.

Team Structure:

• The UX Research Intern will likely be part of a Product or Design team, working within a larger organization that includes licensed clinicians, engineers, content designers, data scientists, product managers, marketers, and business leaders.

• Reporting structure will be to a dedicated manager or mentor within the UX Research function, with frequent collaboration across various product development disciplines.

Methodology:

• Data-driven decision-making is implied through the collaboration with data scientists and the emphasis on research findings.

• Workflow planning and optimization are central to product development, with UX research playing a key role in informing these processes.

• Automation and efficiency are likely priorities given the tech-driven nature of the service, though not explicitly detailed for this role.

Company Website: https://www.betterhelp.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is described as having "startup DNA" but being "fully backed and funded," suggesting a dynamic environment with resources and stability. The emphasis on employee well-being (mental health) and avoiding politics/ego is a strong cultural signal.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This is an entry-level internship position designed for individuals early in their career or academic journey. It provides foundational experience in UX research within a professional setting.

Reporting Structure: The intern will report to a manager or mentor within the UX Research team, receiving direct supervision and guidance. Collaboration will extend to product managers, designers, engineers, and data scientists within product development teams.

Operations Impact: UX research directly impacts product strategy, design decisions, and the overall user experience, which in turn influences customer acquisition, retention, and satisfaction. For BetterHelp, this research is critical to their mission of making mental healthcare accessible and effective.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Advancement: Gain practical experience in a range of UX research methodologies, data synthesis, and user insight communication.

• Industry Exposure: Learn about the digital health and mental health tech sectors, understanding the unique challenges and opportunities within this space.

• Professional Development: Benefit from dedicated mentorship, job shadowing, and learning sessions that support personal and professional growth, potentially leading to future opportunities within BetterHelp or the broader UX field.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth opportunities for an intern are primarily focused on skill acquisition and exposure. The "Summer 2026" timeline suggests a structured program with defined learning objectives and support mechanisms.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is a fully remote position, allowing candidates to work from their chosen location within the United States.

Office Location(s): While remote, the company operates on PST (Pacific Standard Time), suggesting that candidates should be able to align with this timezone for critical meetings and collaborations.

Workspace Context:

• The remote work environment emphasizes digital collaboration tools and asynchronous communication, balanced with synchronous meetings for team alignment and project discussions.

• Access to relevant software and platforms for research, communication, and project management will be provided or expected.

Work Schedule:

• The internship is expected to be full-time, approximately 40 hours per week.

• While remote, candidates are encouraged to be available during core business hours, with a likely emphasis on overlap with PST working hours to facilitate team integration.

📝 Enhancement Note: The remote aspect is a key feature, with a specific mention of PST operations indicating a need for timezone awareness. The "startup DNA" but "fully backed" nature suggests a potentially agile and collaborative work environment, even remotely.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of application and resume to assess alignment with educational background and core requirements.

• Portfolio Review: Candidates will likely be asked to present their portfolio, showcasing research projects, methodology, insights, and recommendations. This is a critical step to assess practical UX research skills.

• Interviews: Typically includes interviews with the hiring manager and potential team members (designers, product managers) to evaluate research skills, communication ability, collaborative mindset, and cultural fit. Behavioral questions and situational scenarios are common.

• Case Study/Assignment (Possible): A take-home assignment or a live case study might be given to assess problem-solving skills and research approach in a simulated scenario.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio logically, perhaps by project. For each project, clearly outline the problem, your role, the methods used, your findings, and the impact or recommendations.

• Process Focus: Emphasize your research process. Explain your rationale for choosing specific methods and how you translated data into insights.

• Visuals: Use visuals (e.g., screenshots, diagrams, personas) to illustrate your work and make it more engaging.

• Impact: Clearly articulate the outcomes of your research, even if it's a hypothetical impact for academic projects. Quantify where possible.

• Tailoring: If possible, subtly tailor your portfolio to highlight aspects relevant to BetterHelp's mission (e.g., user empathy, understanding sensitive contexts).

Challenge Preparation:

• Research Methods: Be prepared to discuss the pros and cons of various UX research methods and when to apply them.

• Problem-Solving: Practice thinking through hypothetical user problems and outlining how you would approach researching them.

• Communication: Prepare to articulate your research findings and recommendations concisely and persuasively, as if presenting to a product team.

• Company Mission: Understand BetterHelp's mission and how UX research contributes to making mental healthcare more accessible.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio and the interview process strongly suggests that practical application of research skills and the ability to communicate findings are paramount. The integration into product development implies a need for candidates who can connect research to business outcomes.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Research Platforms: Familiarity with tools like UserTesting.com, Lookback, or similar platforms for conducting remote usability tests and interviews.

• Survey Tools: Proficiency with tools such as SurveyMonkey, Typeform, Google Forms, or Qualtrics for designing and distributing surveys.

• Collaboration Suites: Experience with tools like Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides) for documentation, analysis, and presentations.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Basic Statistical Software: Familiarity with tools for basic statistical analysis (e.g., Excel functions, R, SPSS) to interpret quantitative data.

• Presentation Software: Strong skills in creating clear and compelling presentations using tools like Google Slides or PowerPoint.

CRM & Automation:

• While not directly using CRM or automation for this role, an understanding of how user research impacts product adoption and retention, which are tracked via CRM and marketing automation, is beneficial.

• Experience with research repositories or knowledge management systems is a plus for organizing and sharing insights.

📝 Enhancement Note: The specific tools mentioned (or implied) are standard for UX research internships. The focus is on the application of these tools to gather and synthesize user insights, rather than deep technical expertise.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Accessibility & Impact: A core value is making mental health care accessible to everyone, and the UX research directly contributes to this mission by ensuring the product meets user needs effectively.

• Collaboration: Strong emphasis on working together across disciplines to solve problems and build great products.

• User-Centricity: A deep commitment to understanding and advocating for the user throughout the product development lifecycle.

• Well-being: As a mental health company, BetterHelp prioritizes employee mental health and work-life balance, fostering a supportive environment.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-functional Integration: UX researchers are embedded within product teams, working closely with designers, product managers, engineers, and data scientists to ensure research is integrated into the development process.

• Data-Informed Decision Making: Insights from research are valued and used to guide decisions, fostering a culture where user feedback is actively sought and considered.

• Open Communication: Encouragement of open dialogue and feedback exchange within teams to foster continuous improvement and shared understanding.

📝 Enhancement Note: The company culture is strongly tied to its mission and a supportive, collaborative work environment. The emphasis on employee well-being is a distinctive cultural trait.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Translating Insights: Effectively translating raw research data into clear, actionable insights that resonate with diverse stakeholders can be challenging.

• Navigating Sensitive Topics: Researching mental health requires a high degree of empathy, ethical consideration, and sensitivity when discussing potentially difficult user experiences.

• Balancing Rigor and Speed: In a fast-paced tech environment, balancing the need for rigorous research with the demand for timely product development can be a challenge.

• Remote Collaboration: Effectively collaborating and building rapport with a distributed team requires strong communication and proactive engagement.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Methodological Mastery: Deepen understanding and practical application of various qualitative and quantitative research methods.

• Industry Insight: Gain exposure to the unique challenges and opportunities within the digital mental health sector.

• Cross-Functional Learning: Understand how UX research integrates with product management, design, engineering, and data science functions.

• Mentorship: Receive direct guidance from experienced UX researchers and product professionals, accelerating learning and professional development.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges presented are typical for UX research roles, especially in sensitive domains and fast-paced environments. The growth opportunities are aligned with an internship, focusing on skill development and exposure.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to translate complex user data into simple, actionable recommendations. What was your process?" (Focus on synthesis and communication skills)

• "How would you approach researching the needs of individuals seeking online therapy for the first time?" (Assess understanding of user empathy and research planning in a relevant context)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about BetterHelp's mission to make mental healthcare more accessible?" (Assess alignment with company values and motivation)

• "How do you approach collaboration with cross-functional teams like product managers and engineers?" (Evaluate teamwork and communication style)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Storytelling: Frame your portfolio projects as stories, highlighting the problem, your journey (process), the discoveries (insights), and the resolution (recommendations/impact).

• Focus on Process: For each project, clearly articulate why you chose specific methods, your approach to data collection, and how you analyzed the data.

• Actionable Insights: Emphasize the "so what?" of your findings. What did you learn, and what should be done about it?

• Conciseness: Be prepared to present your key projects within a given timeframe, focusing on the most impactful aspects.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview preparation should focus on demonstrating a solid understanding of the UX research process, strong communication skills, and genuine enthusiasm for BetterHelp's mission. The portfolio is a key component.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX Research Internship:

• Submit your application through the BetterHelp careers portal via the provided link, ensuring all fields are completed accurately.

• Tailor your Resume: Highlight educational background in relevant fields (HCI, Psychology, etc.), any academic or personal research projects, and specific research methodologies you've learned or applied. Use keywords like "Usability Testing," "Surveys," "Interviews," "Data Analysis," and "User Journeys."

• Curate Your Portfolio: Select 1-2 strong projects that best showcase your research process, analytical skills, and ability to derive insights. Ensure it's well-organized and easy to navigate, clearly detailing your role and contributions.

• Prepare Your Presentation: Practice walking through your portfolio projects, focusing on storytelling, explaining your methodology, and clearly articulating your findings and recommendations. Be ready to answer questions about your process and decision-making.

• Research BetterHelp: Familiarize yourself with BetterHelp's mission, services, and target audience. Understand how UX research contributes to their goals of making mental healthcare accessible.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.