Need opinions today, please help

[dustycat]

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Hi everyone,

I applied to nine programs this past fall and have been rejected or waitlisted at all of them. At this point, I do not hold out much hope of being accepted.

Options:
1. Remain another year at my current position working on public opinion and sociological research. There is a potential that I may be able to work on some publications, although most of my energies would be devoted elsewhere. Pros: near family/friends, guaranteed year-long job, possible involvement on publications. Cons: not connected to my research interests, not psychology-related, some difficult work situations that almost caused me to quit in the fall but have gotten somewhat better, not really sure I would like my "main project" for next year, make almost no money because it is an Americorps position.

2. Look for an RA position or other job. No idea how hard realistically it would be to find one. Another thing is that I am not sure realistically how willing I would be to move halfway across the country. I know RA positions are hard enough to find & I am okay with some travel, but still within a X hours radius of where I am now would be ideal.

Unfortunately, I only have today and tomorrow to decide whether to tell current position whether I want to stay for a 2nd year.

This was only one POI's opinion, but when I asked about weaknesses regarding my application, she mentioned that I did not do a good enough job showing why I am taking this next step (as reflected in experiences and essay) and also that I had not been involved with writing papers (though I have published other non-psych related things).

 

[O Gurl]

It sounds pretty clear that you are not getting your professional needs met at your current position. However, I am confused about this deadline. If you say you are staying on another year, does this mean you simply CANNOT leave if/when you find something better? That does not sound like a normal job clause. 😕

I would stay put because it is silly to leave one job without another. That is simply the way of the world. However, I would CERTAINLY look for RA positions that would provide the experience needed for grad school (e.g. pubs).

 

[lifesanillusion]

Hi Dusty, Sorry to hear of your application disappointments. This is a tough field for sure. It seems like your current job does not do much to advance your application to psychology graduate programs. Getting publication experience mainly counts if it is in the field, and if a pub is not already in works it is unlikely to appear on your next application. For now, this job is paying the rent. Personally, in this rough economy, I'd advise that you hang onto it while you sort out the best ways to enhance your applications. Jumping to a paid RA position does not sound like it is currently something you have lined up. I would look for opportunities to volunteer even a few hours per week in a psychology lab that is related to your psychology interests, so as to get some experience in that type of research and to secure a reference from a PhD in that line of research. Make it clear from the get-go that is your aim. If a paid position arises, you can rethink your commitment to your current job. I'd also work on crafting next year's SOPs to try to align them as closely as possible with the interests of the faculty with whom you are applying to work. Programs give a tremendous amount of weight to fit, so you may be able to find a spot next year simply based on a more focused statement. Best wishes!!

 

[dustycat]

It is an Americorps position. You basically sign on for a one year "contract." They cannot stop you leaving before the year is up but it is frowned upon and you will most likely burn your bridges with your supervisor/org for vacating your position. You will also not receive the benefits you get for staying the full year.

When I signed on, I had it clear in my head that I wanted to do July 2010-July 2011. It only really became in the last month that I thought about doing a second year of service. Most of my cohort are leaving their positions as planned in July and have started job searching. A handful are staying for a second year. In this way, it's not like a typical job, I guess.

What they are asking me to do by the end of the day tomorrow is basically indicate whether I will be staying after July or not. If I am, they will not reach to their current applicant pool to try to hire someone for my position (hiring takes place in April).

 

[EJG941SRQ]

Hi everyone,

I applied to nine programs this past fall and have been rejected or waitlisted at all of them. At this point, I do not hold out much hope of being accepted.

Options:
1. Remain another year at my current position working on public opinion and sociological research. There is a potential that I may be able to work on some publications, although most of my energies would be devoted elsewhere. Pros: near family/friends, guaranteed year-long job, possible involvement on publications. Cons: not connected to my research interests, not psychology-related, some difficult work situations that almost caused me to quit in the fall but have gotten somewhat better, not really sure I would like my "main project" for next year, make almost no money because it is an Americorps position.

2. Look for an RA position or other job. No idea how hard realistically it would be to find one. Another thing is that I am not sure realistically how willing I would be to move halfway across the country. I know RA positions are hard enough to find & I am okay with some travel, but still within a X hours radius of where I am now would be ideal.

Unfortunately, I only have today and tomorrow to decide whether to tell current position whether I want to stay for a 2nd year.

This was only one POI's opinion, but when I asked about weaknesses regarding my application, she mentioned that I did not do a good enough job showing why I am taking this next step (as reflected in experiences and essay) and also that I had not been involved with writing papers (though I have published other non-psych related things).

Is this research position your main source of income? If so, if you are not attending grad school this fall, wouldn't that leave you with extra time to commit to some kind of volunteer work? I'm not sure what your professional goals are but you could always seek out some kind of position at a psych lab at your local university, a local crisis center, a psych ward at your nearest hospital, or a mental health facility. This way you will have your primary income along with side projects that will look good on your resume. Clinical work may not be your ultimate goal as a psychologist but if the research positions are dry in your area, I would think additional clinical volunteering experience would look better than your current non-psych research alone.

 

[dustycat]

Thanks for the replies so far.

I know it seems like the smart thing to just stay but something in me instinctively reacts negatively to that. Maybe it's just that I was so prepared to leave in July, particularly when I was going through the worst of dealing with the difficult work circumstances. At that point, it was just a matter of *making* it to July.

I'm very risk-averse and so I know the smart thing would be to keep this job rather than hold on to the *potential* for finding something better (or the potential for finding nothing). But I also hate to let go of the option of looking. I had a similar experience when I accepted this job back last April-- I wondered if I should have said no and kept looking for RA positions longer.

I don't know if I could say I'm staying and then leave if I find something better, that makes me feel nervous/guilty & I'd like to have some references from this org.

 

[nessa34]

It is an Americorps position. You basically sign on for a one year "contract." They cannot stop you leaving before the year is up but it is frowned upon and you will most likely burn your bridges with your supervisor/org for vacating your position. You will also not receive the benefits you get for staying the full year.

When I signed on, I had it clear in my head that I wanted to do July 2010-July 2011. It only really became in the last month that I thought about doing a second year of service. Most of my cohort are leaving their positions as planned in July and have started job searching. A handful are staying for a second year. In this way, it's not like a typical job, I guess.

What they are asking me to do by the end of the day tomorrow is basically indicate whether I will be staying after July or not. If not, they will not reach to their current applicant pool to try to hire someone for my position (hiring takes place in April).

first question- Is this Americorps position you have a better job than another job you could find? I volunteered for a year as well, so I'm not insulting Americorps, but they are not the best in terms of salary 🙄 Even if you can't find an RA job in your area by July, you do have 3 months to find *something*. Also, most RA positions will be opening up between now and August, so even though 3 months is not that much time, the majority of openings that are happening at all will be in that time period. You could also find a random job to pay the bills in the time between when your volunteer position ends and when you find an RA job. Then, you wouldn't be locked in for another year.

secondly- If you had more time to job search, would you be able to find an RA job? Is the difficulty finding one related to your geographic limitations, or your time frame? If it's going to be nearly impossible to find an RA job in your area regardless of how long you look, then trying to get research experience through volunteering on the side may be better, and your dilemma is moot.

 

[EJG941SRQ]

Thanks for the replies so far.

I know it seems like the smart thing to just stay but something in me instinctively reacts negatively to that. Maybe it's just that I was so prepared to leave in July, particularly when I was going through the worst of dealing with the difficult work circumstances. At that point, it was just a matter of *making* it to July.

I'm very risk-averse and so I know the smart thing would be to keep this job rather than hold on to the *potential* for finding something better (or the potential for finding nothing). But I also hate to let go of the option. I had a similar experience when I accepted this job back last April-- I wondered if I should have said no and kept looking for RA positions longer.

I don't know if I could say I'm staying and then leave if I find something better, that makes me feel nervous/guilty & I'd like to have some references from this org.

I was under the impression you wanted to stay behind in order to stay close to your home and your family which is why I recommended you seek out a supplemental volunteering position. If you find your current position to be unsatisfying and you are wanting to walk away, I don't think this position looks compelling enough on your resume to settle. I would, however, investigate the universities and research labs in the places you are interested in moving to and contact lab managers about open positions prior to moving anywhere. Additionally, I wouldn't count on a paid position anywhere; you might have to be a volunteer for a bit in a lab before you get any job offers so take that into consideration as well.

The most important thing you can do since you will be taking the year off is to engage in activities that will boost your resume. If you prefer to seek out new opportunity and have the resources to move somewhere that better suits your interests - well I think that sounds like a good use of your time.