Necesity of working on mental health field when applying for PhD program for Clin. Psych

[MJM423]

Hey all,

I am in the process of applying for a few PhD programs for Clinical Psych. I am being interviewed for a job as a drug addictions counselor at the bachelor level, but would be taking a pay cut.

I'm curious whether having a mental health field job is necessary before acceptance, or if volunteering as a crisis counselor is just as valued for graduate programs.

Id prefer not to take a paycut if a job change is not necessary for my odds.

Thanks!

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[Justanothergrad]

I'd suggest you read any of the numerous threads here about factors in admission - the long story short is that 'clinical' experience pre graduate school is not highly valued because it is not representative of the type of work you will do with a graduate degree and thus the skills do not transfer. Spend your time being involved in a research lab - that matters more.

 

[MJM423]

Thank you, kindly