Does Experience Influence Job Outlook?

[slayerette]

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I am a recent college graduate and have been a lurker on SDN for some time now since, like many others here, I have begun to question whether clinical psychology is the right career for me. I was particularly interested in (and alarmed by) the "Would you do it again?" thread, which summarizes a lot of the concerning problems facing the clinical psychology career (grad school and internship insanity, lack of choice in school and job setting, low reimbursement rates, academic appointment competition, etc.). I have been told by some mentors and advisors, however, that the extent to which one faces these issues varies depending on education and experience. I am trying to get a better sense of whether the career path and job outlook are different for someone with a high GPA from an Ivy League school with a year or two of RA experience at a top city hospital and some publications (and perhaps a strong graduate school), as compared to a 'less qualified' applicant with similar career goals. Any input would be greatly appreciated, as it is difficult to get a sense of what the actual career is like before you have even started working towards the PhD!

 

[EmotRegulation]

"Clinical psychology" isn't a career, it's a field. Some clinical psychologists, like myself, go into academia where I spend most of my time doing research, teaching, and mentoring. Others go into practice, but even that varies based on the setting (academic medical center, VA, private hospital, counseling center, private practice). Some do both research and clinical work.

Some people know exactly what career they are headed toward when they begin the degree, others are less sure. I wasn't sure; I thought I wanted a career in academia but I also thought I would really enjoy clinical practice. I found out that as much as I truly love clinical practice, I don't see myself doing it full time.

 

[Doctor Eliza]

The qualifications you are speaking of could help you get into a program, but after that no one really cares where you went to undergrad. It is all about what you do with your grad school years (especially publications if you want a research-focused gig).

Best,
Dr. E

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

"Clinical psychology" isn't a career, it's a field.

Some people know exactly what career they are headed toward when they begin the degree, others are less sure.

Two great points.

As has been opined in other threads, do your homework up front and really understand the different options available if you choose to go into the field. You don't need to know exactly what you want to do, but you want to make sure you are realistic and what you want is feasible.

I'd say the top 25% probably do fine to well, the middle 50% get by (at least the ones that aren't the sole income in their household), and 25% really struggle. I would do things differently, but that has more to do with not realizing the range of programs out there, and a bit less with "OMG I wish I never did this!" It can be a good career, if it fits what you are looking for out of a profession.

 

[wigflip]

I have been told by some mentors and advisors,

I'd say that there's a lot of variability in the degree to which mentors and advisors are plugged into contemporary realities. I'd weigh the opinions of recent graduates more heavily than those who graduated long ago. I now know that some of the advice I got from folks who graduated long before I applied was not informed by current trends.

 

[G Costanza]

I wish I would have gone to med school. You can learn the same material and still help people, have assumed respect, and make more money. But I chose this path and it's been great.

I suspect the people that complain about the psych would be complaining no matter what field they chose. Some people like to whine about things while others work with the situation and make the best of it.

Research all avenues of more education and I'm sure you'll make the best choice for you.

 

[docma]

I wish I would have gone to med school. You can learn the same material and still help people, have assumed respect, and make more money. But I chose this path and it's been great.

I suspect the people that complain about the psych would be complaining no matter what field they chose. Some people like to whine about things while others work with the situation and make the best of it.

Research all avenues of more education and I'm sure you'll make the best choice for you.

I strongly endorse this. The field (and the blogosphere) echo with complaints and you need to look for a broad range of evidence and the kind of people whose actions and job satisfaction will give you solid data, both qualitative and quantitative. These are not easy times for many kinds of career paths and the future will inevitably bring changes that can't be predicted. Look at what you, as an adult, really want to be doing and with whom. Your core identity should be the guide. And look for a school setting where you really want to BE at this stage in your life. Many, many people do not make a linear career trajectory through grad school, but are shaped and inspired by what happens there. Taking the time to do direct contact work with specific populations (out of the lab) before grad school will help you with choices AND make you a stronger candidate at internship time. You might also look into other forms of psychology if the lab/academic path is your wish: developmental, social, educational, etc. all have a quite different culture and, I think, many fewer bitter folk than clinical psych seems to have in these times.

 

[PsyDr]

grad school and internship insanity- Grad school is supposed to be rough. Internship might be slightly less competitive if you go to a great program, but that only gets your foot in the door. You still have to show why they would want you.

lack of choice in school and job setting- This never changes. The field is flooded.

low reimbursement rates- insurance companies do not care where you went to school. They only want to pay as little as possible.

academic appointment competition- dictated by research and who you know.

 

[ResearchGirlie]

By job outlook are you meaning getting a job, making good money, or other things? I'd never recommend anyone go into the field thinking they were going to make a generous salary. Sure, some do, but there are far better fields to go into that are easier to make that happen.

 

[LETSGONYR]

"Clinical psychology" isn't a career, it's a field. Some clinical psychologists, like myself, go into academia where I spend most of my time doing research, teaching, and mentoring. Others go into practice, but even that varies based on the setting (academic medical center, VA, private hospital, counseling center, private practice). Some do both research and clinical work.

Some people know exactly what career they are headed toward when they begin the degree, others are less sure. I wasn't sure; I thought I wanted a career in academia but I also thought I would really enjoy clinical practice. I found out that as much as I truly love clinical practice, I don't see myself doing it full time.

Yeah, I agree with this. I think that if you're aiming for an academic/research career, than the most important variables are how much you've published and in what types of publications. Have you designed/run studies yourself, etc. etc. The program from which you've graduated has some impact on future employment, too. If you're aiming for a more clinical career, I think where your degree is from is much less important. The sites at which you've trained (externships/internship) are probably most important, with second being connections in the field and having people be able to vouch for you. But, as the previous poster said, this also depends on which setting you work in. In nearly all instances, your undergraduate institution/research during undergrad/anything else during undergrad is not important.