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So the plan initially was to apply for internship this upcoming Fall (next cycle). However, I have no assessment experience and interested in Health psych (e.g. chronic pain, pain management). All the sites I have seen have some sort of minimal assessment hours.
Bear in mind, I live in a rural town so I do not have access to many assessment practicum sites (only 2 sites). One site requires previous assessment experience and the second I will be applying for the second time. The first time, it was difficult when my whole cohort plus the cohort ahead of me applied for the limited amount of positions.
In fact, I have been relocating across the country over the summers (paying rent on 2 places, paying all my bills, renting a vehicle for three months with No Income) just to get hospital experience at a pediatric burn unit. It has been a major pain and sacrifice to relocate over the summer, especially since I have 2 little ones. Everyone I speak to (advisors, clinical supervisors, etc.) said I should apply during the next cycle because I have one hospital experience and "excellent" work experience- I used to work as a surgical tech at a prestigious hospital and did other surgical experiences (gastroenterology, anesthesia assistant, etc.). But I do not think this is enough.
Just for some background- I am a 3rd year counseling phd Candidate (passed dissertation proposal recently + passed prelim last year) with 2 yrs. UCC practicum experience and 1 summer of hospital experience (pain management, procedural support). I will be relocating AGAIN for summer to do a longer prac experience at the same hospital burn unit and have been eagerly emailing around to see if I could do an assessment practicum experience in the same city. I've completed the majority of all my academic courses (2 more classes to go), doing great with my dissertation, have great relationships with supervisors and extremely eager to gain assessment experiences. If I waited a year I may or may not get the assessment experience but I would be completely done with collecting data, analyzing and probably completed my dissertation final defense (if I continue at this rate).
Any suggestions on what could be something that would help? That is, apart from getting assessment experience which is my goal (has been for past 2 years). Is it advisable that I hold off on applying in order to seek the possibility of assessment pracs? Or toss the hospital setting idea and go the UCC route (egh!).
Any feedback would be helpful!
Bear in mind, I live in a rural town so I do not have access to many assessment practicum sites (only 2 sites). One site requires previous assessment experience and the second I will be applying for the second time. The first time, it was difficult when my whole cohort plus the cohort ahead of me applied for the limited amount of positions.
In fact, I have been relocating across the country over the summers (paying rent on 2 places, paying all my bills, renting a vehicle for three months with No Income) just to get hospital experience at a pediatric burn unit. It has been a major pain and sacrifice to relocate over the summer, especially since I have 2 little ones. Everyone I speak to (advisors, clinical supervisors, etc.) said I should apply during the next cycle because I have one hospital experience and "excellent" work experience- I used to work as a surgical tech at a prestigious hospital and did other surgical experiences (gastroenterology, anesthesia assistant, etc.). But I do not think this is enough.
Just for some background- I am a 3rd year counseling phd Candidate (passed dissertation proposal recently + passed prelim last year) with 2 yrs. UCC practicum experience and 1 summer of hospital experience (pain management, procedural support). I will be relocating AGAIN for summer to do a longer prac experience at the same hospital burn unit and have been eagerly emailing around to see if I could do an assessment practicum experience in the same city. I've completed the majority of all my academic courses (2 more classes to go), doing great with my dissertation, have great relationships with supervisors and extremely eager to gain assessment experiences. If I waited a year I may or may not get the assessment experience but I would be completely done with collecting data, analyzing and probably completed my dissertation final defense (if I continue at this rate).
Any suggestions on what could be something that would help? That is, apart from getting assessment experience which is my goal (has been for past 2 years). Is it advisable that I hold off on applying in order to seek the possibility of assessment pracs? Or toss the hospital setting idea and go the UCC route (egh!).
Any feedback would be helpful!