The truth is somewhere in between an applicants lofty expectations and the sad bitter world of that blog.
Absolutely... also, I felt that a lot of their complaint/concerns didn't necessarily apply to me, since I am earning a clinical degree and a tenure-track faculty position is not my goal.
Somehow I come across this blog everytime I feel "okay" with the future of clinical psych. and grad school. haha. Though it's not directly written about semi-professional programs like clinical psych, it does contiain a whole lot of good points about the paradoxical lure of grad school and academia. If I was in the humanities, I'd be terrified.
Academic jobs aren't as difficult for clinical psych people because the degree has so many applications outside of academia. It's not as competitive. I mean, not that it's easy, just remember that we're better off than, say, humanities PhDs.
I came from a middle of the road university-psyd program and did okay, so it isn't Harvard or Bust...but it'll take a concerted effort for anyone in training now. 20 years ago it was easier, but things aren't completely screwed...just mostly. 😉
My gut reaction is that we're closing in on the extreme end of a pendulum swing moment in academia, and that at some point things will shift back to being a bit more humane.
T4C are you referring to academia, practice, or all of the above? 🙁
Well, I'm going to go cry now. I've accepted that I may have to adjunct.
Actually, I disagree with this (having just been on the clinical T-T job market).
You have to consider a few things. Sure, there may be more competition for positions in let's say, social or experimental psych, where there are fewer applied options and thus more competition than for clinical academic jobs.
But I would argue that the competition within clinical is tougher. Looks at admissions standards for getting into a clinical program. It's a lot easier to get admitted to a PhD program in another area. The people you are competing with present ridiculous competition (and you are not competing with FSPS PsyD program graduates).
I was successful at getting a T-T job, but it was with extreme difficulty. I didn't get interviews at some places, I interviewed at places and wasn't first choice, etc, etc. I also don't want to toot my own horn, but I was a publishing machine in graduate school and my later clinical years, and also did a ton of networking. I had no idea how hard it would be to land one of these positions, and I am grateful that I did. However, I also know there are a lot of really qualified candidates out there that did not, and don't, every year.
There is some truth to this blog. I'll be interested to see what academia looks like as the years go by.
Most of the faculty in my program didn't do post-docs and were able to land the job right out of internship. But we are in a geographically undesirable location, heh.
It really depends on the postdoc. I did a clinical postdoc, but I actually was advised by my mentor and others not to do that if I really just wanted academia. They suggested it was just a waste of time and delaying the tenure clock.
I think if someone is looking to do a mix of clinical and research they may not be as quickly shut out of some of the top end places (if they apply for clinical positions w. the option or minority % time in research). I believe a clinician who has a moderate level of interest in also doing research looking at a clinical position is viewed more positively compared to a heavy researcher looking at research positions who reports also wanting to do a bit of clinical work. It is somewhat of a double-standard, but your billing/overhead is easier to justify if you bring in clinical dollars than if you are more reliant on soft money.
they sure can't! you've earned that!Not going t-t either. Still, no one can take my tweed jacket away from me.