- Joined
- Jun 30, 2009
- Messages
- 3
- Reaction score
- 0
Thank you for answering the many questions on these pages--including my own! I have two questions really, one is situational and the other is more of a strategic question of planning and combining interests to be more marketable. I've checked around this site for a while trying to get a good idea about whether or not this has necessarily been addressed. I see this concern in different forms.
Question 1) I am 33 years old. I have a BA in Psych, Spanish minor. I finished a grad program in School Psychology a few years ago, and I have two years of work experience as a School Psychologist/SP Intern. I have several years of background in research: I received an award for my undergrad research project at my undergrad university--which I tried to get published at the encouragement of my adviser, with no luck (Surprise! They all said it sounded like an undergrad paper, which it was!). I have worked in research as an RA for at least 6 years at this point. I've been on 4 different projects, and in each setting I have expressed great enthusiasm for research and gaining writing experience--my interest was always understood since I had asked openly about it and requested the opportunity--but despite having 6 years of research experience, I do not have any publications or poster presentations. (In these cases, as a grad research assistant, the opportunity was not offered. As an RA on three projects during the last 4 years, no writing has taken place, and the times I've looked at data for some sort of idea about findings I might have found to publish...well, it just didn't work out.) I have a good relationship with all my former project supervisors, and I feel they would offer good recommendations of my abilities, contributions, team work, etc...
I talked with a friend recently who is quite smart and has quite a bit of research experience. She applied to PhD programs this year and says that in order to be taken seriously as a candidate, you MUST have a publication to really get noticed. I have been offered a position with a well-known research university and have been told I would have good opportunity at getting writing experience/poster presentations/publications. I admit that after 6-8 years of actively trying to get some sort of research experience (trying to volunteer, trying to get my own work published, getting to help on a study who might be writing, moving out of state to work in research), I am tired of trying to reach the goal of getting published and starting over on what may be another low-level, low-paying grunt work position with hopes of putting out effort to help get something published --all with the goal in mind of getting into a PhD program in Clinical Psych, hopefully in a well-funded position.
My question is--To be competitive for well-funded PhD program with grant money/assistantships/tuition waivers does a candidate necessarily need writing experience or could someone like me who has several years of research experience (almost as much as it might take to get through a PhD program...) but no publication still be seen as being a serious, competitive candidate. I would like to enter a PhD program before I turn 40, and I'm really tired of working for such a low salary, while being so far away from my family. Would I be better off taking this new position at this well-known university, hoping that I get a chance to do some writing, or would I be just as well-off going home for a while and applying to programs?
----------------------
2) I have been concerned about the opportunities that might be out there for a clinical psychologist who wants to work directly with clients. I want to be able to do many things--research, practice with clients, teach, etc... Do people with interest in Clinical Psychology ever combine their degrees, such as Clinical Psychology AND MD or DO in Medicine, as PhD in Clinical Psych/Occupational Therapist, PhD in Clinical Psych/Physician Assistant degree? With such a shaky job market out there right now, it seems to make sense to widen your net in what you can do/areas you cover. Do you see people doing that? Would you recommend any sort of combined degree? If so, what sort of ideas do you have on that?
I'm realize I've practically written a book here! Thank you for any assistance or reply you might offer.
Question 1) I am 33 years old. I have a BA in Psych, Spanish minor. I finished a grad program in School Psychology a few years ago, and I have two years of work experience as a School Psychologist/SP Intern. I have several years of background in research: I received an award for my undergrad research project at my undergrad university--which I tried to get published at the encouragement of my adviser, with no luck (Surprise! They all said it sounded like an undergrad paper, which it was!). I have worked in research as an RA for at least 6 years at this point. I've been on 4 different projects, and in each setting I have expressed great enthusiasm for research and gaining writing experience--my interest was always understood since I had asked openly about it and requested the opportunity--but despite having 6 years of research experience, I do not have any publications or poster presentations. (In these cases, as a grad research assistant, the opportunity was not offered. As an RA on three projects during the last 4 years, no writing has taken place, and the times I've looked at data for some sort of idea about findings I might have found to publish...well, it just didn't work out.) I have a good relationship with all my former project supervisors, and I feel they would offer good recommendations of my abilities, contributions, team work, etc...
I talked with a friend recently who is quite smart and has quite a bit of research experience. She applied to PhD programs this year and says that in order to be taken seriously as a candidate, you MUST have a publication to really get noticed. I have been offered a position with a well-known research university and have been told I would have good opportunity at getting writing experience/poster presentations/publications. I admit that after 6-8 years of actively trying to get some sort of research experience (trying to volunteer, trying to get my own work published, getting to help on a study who might be writing, moving out of state to work in research), I am tired of trying to reach the goal of getting published and starting over on what may be another low-level, low-paying grunt work position with hopes of putting out effort to help get something published --all with the goal in mind of getting into a PhD program in Clinical Psych, hopefully in a well-funded position.
My question is--To be competitive for well-funded PhD program with grant money/assistantships/tuition waivers does a candidate necessarily need writing experience or could someone like me who has several years of research experience (almost as much as it might take to get through a PhD program...) but no publication still be seen as being a serious, competitive candidate. I would like to enter a PhD program before I turn 40, and I'm really tired of working for such a low salary, while being so far away from my family. Would I be better off taking this new position at this well-known university, hoping that I get a chance to do some writing, or would I be just as well-off going home for a while and applying to programs?
----------------------
2) I have been concerned about the opportunities that might be out there for a clinical psychologist who wants to work directly with clients. I want to be able to do many things--research, practice with clients, teach, etc... Do people with interest in Clinical Psychology ever combine their degrees, such as Clinical Psychology AND MD or DO in Medicine, as PhD in Clinical Psych/Occupational Therapist, PhD in Clinical Psych/Physician Assistant degree? With such a shaky job market out there right now, it seems to make sense to widen your net in what you can do/areas you cover. Do you see people doing that? Would you recommend any sort of combined degree? If so, what sort of ideas do you have on that?
I'm realize I've practically written a book here! Thank you for any assistance or reply you might offer.