PhD/PsyD How to broach topic with advisor who is leaving...

[wonderingwhattodo]

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Good evening, everyone.

I have left this vague on purpose. Please let me know if I have included too many details.


I am a first year in a PsyD. program. I fell in with an adviser who was doing work in an interesting area for me, and eagerly joined my adviser on a new project that they were developing early in the year.

A number of days ago, my adviser told me that she accepted a position at a new school effective in Fall 2016. I was pretty shocked. She said that he shouldn't be my chair most likely anymore, but would be a reader on it if I wanted to, and I could switch to another adviser who has "catch-all" interests that my project could be somewhat tangentially related to. She seemed extremely supportive of me and not wanting to leave me in the lurch. I told her that I would need to take some time to formulate my thoughts.

I have really been enjoying research and enjoy this project and want to continue working on it, even if it is not my dissertation. My question is in the fact that I am really enjoying the research I have been doing, and have been wondering if a PsyD will adequately prepare me for doing research in the future; I think I would like to incorporate research in my work. This is something that is while not surprising, I did not think I would like as much as I do. I think these thoughts were exacerbated with her announcement; I am wondering if I should start conversations or considerations about applying to PhD programs and if I should bring up this question with my now adviser. I know this can be a tricky topic, which is why I would like some additional perspective. If I did apply to new schools, I would want the backing of my current program and would need it for recommendation letters.

1) Is it reasonable to consider applying to new schools?

2) If so, how ought I broach this topic with my current adviser?

 

[xXIDaShizIXx]

Good evening, everyone.

I have left this vague on purpose. Please let me know if I have included too many details.


I am a first year in a PsyD. program. I fell in with an adviser who was doing work in an interesting area for me, and eagerly joined my adviser on a new project that they were developing early in the year.

A number of days ago, my adviser told me that she accepted a position at a new school effective in Fall 2016. I was pretty shocked. She said that he shouldn't be my chair most likely anymore, but would be a reader on it if I wanted to, and I could switch to another adviser who has "catch-all" interests that my project could be somewhat tangentially related to. She seemed extremely supportive of me and not wanting to leave me in the lurch. I told her that I would need to take some time to formulate my thoughts.

I have really been enjoying research and enjoy this project and want to continue working on it, even if it is not my dissertation. My question is in the fact that I am really enjoying the research I have been doing, and have been wondering if a PsyD will adequately prepare me for doing research in the future; I think I would like to incorporate research in my work. This is something that is while not surprising, I did not think I would like as much as I do. I think these thoughts were exacerbated with her announcement; I am wondering if I should start conversations or considerations about applying to PhD programs and if I should bring up this question with my now adviser. I know this can be a tricky topic, which is why I would like some additional perspective. If I did apply to new schools, I would want the backing of my current program and would need it for recommendation letters.

1) Is it reasonable to consider applying to new schools?

2) If so, how ought I broach this topic with my current adviser?

It is entirely reasonable if the program is not meeting your needs. Go to them and talk with them about it. I left my PsyD progam and am applying to PhD programs this year as well. PM me if you want to share more details.

 

[deleted343839]

My question is in the fact that I am really enjoying the research I have been doing, and have been wondering if a PsyD will adequately prepare me for doing research in the future; I think I would like to incorporate research in my work.

Can you be a little more specific about how you would like to incorporate research into your work? It's not the norm for psychologists with a PsyD to be engaged in research and publishing in peer reviewed journals, but it's not unheard of either. It depends on the scope of what you have in mind.

It sounds like your advisor is supportive and this is a good time for a frank discussion of your career interests and training needs. Don't wait until she's gone. At this point she has nothing to lose by giving you frank advice on your next steps.

 

[wonderingwhattodo]

It is entirely reasonable if the program is not meeting your needs. Go to them and talk with them about it. I left my PsyD progam and am applying to PhD programs this year as well. PM me if you want to share more details.

Overall, I am happy with my program. I read through that thread-it sounded like a nightmare to say the least. But I am wondering if my goals and objectives are going in ways different than what the program's objectives.

Can you be a little more specific about how you would like to incorporate research into your work? It's not the norm for psychologists with a PsyD to be engaged in research and publishing in peer reviewed journals, but it's not unheard of either. It depends on the scope of what you have in mind.

It sounds like your adviser is supportive and this is a good time for a frank discussion of your career interests and training needs. Don't wait until she's gone. At this point she has nothing to lose by giving you frank advice on your next steps.

A lot of the research work would be applied and in communal settings. So, it may not all be published work, but useful to organizations and the like, if not published. I think a PhD would more likely give more options-not just clinical work, but possibly teaching as well. I would like to involve clinical work in there too, as I enjoy aspects of that. I, as of now, have no desire to be doing work at a R1. I do not think that is conducive to my personality disposition.

I think you are both right, this would be a great time to talk with my adviser. I am currently looking at some other interesting programs so I will be as knowledgeable as I can with talking with her.

Are there any other questions that I should/could be asking myself as I go through this process?

 

[Ollie123]

Definitely speak with your advisor.

It may be irrelevant depending on where they are going and I'm not suggesting in any way you should be the one to bring this up to them, but its worth noting that it is extraordinarily common for advisors to be able to bring students with them when moving to a new institution. At least in my experiences, its more normal than NOT being able to take the students (though obviously many may decide they'd rather switch mentors than programs for various reasons). Might not be possible in this scenario or even something you are interested in, but if this person is a great fit and you want out anyways it would be silly to let the opportunity pass.

 

[wonderingwhattodo]

Definitely speak with your advisor.

It may be irrelevant depending on where they are going and I'm not suggesting in any way you should be the one to bring this up to them, but its worth noting that it is extraordinarily common for advisors to be able to bring students with them when moving to a new institution. At least in my experiences, its more normal than NOT being able to take the students (though obviously many may decide they'd rather switch mentors than programs for various reasons). Might not be possible in this scenario or even something you are interested in, but if this person is a great fit and you want out anyways it would be silly to let the opportunity pass.

Thanks. I will speak with her. I am planning on telling her how I have really enjoyed the research and would like to continue to learn the skills to allow me to do that. We will see what advice she has for me for my career goals, but you all are right that this would be a good time to talk. If there are any other pieces of advice, that would be helpful or any other things I need to consider or should think about that would be appreciated.