Making the most out of a gap year

[Kb1234]

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Hey everyone,

I'm currently a senior majoring in psychology and I will graduating this fall from my university. I have always thought that I will apply and go straight after college to a PhD program since I didn't want to waste time. However, I realized that I don't think I'm ready yet to take on graduate school, and I've decided to take a year or maybe two to just get more experience in research, etc.

I'm concerned about not being ready and burning myself out during grad school, especially since I still want to do fellowships and post-graduate studies.

My field of interest is Health Psychology, with a bit of overlap with Public Health. I do want to apply to strictly Health Psychology programs, not Clinical Programs with specialization on Health.

I think I will be graduating with somewhat of a substantial competitive GPA's and grades, so I want to focus more on experience. Any tips or suggestions that you guys have to make the most out of my gap year(s) with an intention to get into a Psychology PhD program?

 

[@n0nym0us]

Hi KB- I am not sure that everyone would agree, but I think taking some time off to work/get experience/narrow down on what you like and do not like once you are working is a great idea. I am not sure what part of the country you are in, but looking at federal, state-level, or even county organizations in public health may be a good idea, especially if that organization also overlaps well with mental health. So something like SAMHSA, AHQR, or NIMH (either as an employee or better yet as a contractor since the pay will be much better)

I worked at the federal level and completed an MPH (very luckily paid for my company) before going back to a PhD program and I think it really helped give me a real world perspective on how mental health care is delivered and gave me a unique advantage when I applied for school a few years later. I also learned much more working than I ever did in undergrad...kind of like growing up I guess.

There are plenty of individuals going directly into grad school and then others who took off years and years. There really is no right way, but make sure you are, well, sure before you committee to that many years or school and the opportunity cost of missing out in employment for that many years.

 

[Kb1234]

Hi KB- I am not sure that everyone would agree, but I think taking some time off to work/get experience/narrow down on what you like and do not like once you are working is a great idea. I am not sure what part of the country you are in, but looking at federal, state-level, or even county organizations in public health may be a good idea, especially if that organization also overlaps well with mental health. So something like SAMHSA, AHQR, or NIMH (either as an employee or better yet as a contractor since the pay will be much better)

I worked at the federal level and completed an MPH (very luckily paid for my company) before going back to a PhD program and I think it really helped give me a real world perspective on how mental health care is delivered and gave me a unique advantage when I applied for school a few years later. I also learned much more working than I ever did in undergrad...kind of like growing up I guess.

There are plenty of individuals going directly into grad school and then others who took off years and years. There really is no right way, but make sure you are, well, sure before you committee to that many years or school and the opportunity cost of missing out in employment for that many years.

Thank you so much for your input! I also want to pursue an MPH, and I'm still unsure if I should do that first before going into a Psychology PhD program or after it. I eventually do see myself working for a health agency, similar to the one's you have suggested. But if I can a position in those companies now, that would be great as a start-up in the field. I never bothered to look into them, since I thought I needed a doctorate for jobs in those places.

And surprisingly, I do find the MPH courses more appealing than the courses offered by Health Psychology programs. I have definitely leaned more towards Public Health recently, especially since when I started considering majoring in Psychology, but I do love Psychology as well.

I currently live and go to the university in Hawaii, but I do want to, and willing to, move for better opportunities.