Prestige of internship programs

[internapp]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Here is a question for you all:
To what extent does the prestige of an internship program matter in your future career? As I'm considering my rankings of programs, I have one program that is highly regarded nationally, but is somewhat less of a good fit for my overall training goals than some other programs that may be less well known. I'm trying to sort out how to balance prestige versus the fit with my interests of the training experiences offered. I'm primarily on track for a research career focused on intervention and prevention work. I do hope to maintain some degree of clinical activity as well. Any thoughts?

 

[edieb]

Since you are planning a research career, I would definitely rank the most well known programs higher than less well known ones. This is because research produced at better-known programs is much more likely to get published, and be published faster, than research from less well-regarded programs. In addition, people at better programs have better connections than those that are less well-known.

It doesn't really matter if the internship isn't a great fit for your interests -- remember; you can always customize an internship to help you reach your own goals.

Go with the better-known schools, sister!

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

It is a tough call. I know APPIC says to rank the best programs in order of your preference.....but it really can be a 'who you know' situation, so YMMV. I think this is similar to people who wonder if they should go with the Big Name person as a supervisor or a lesser known prof. who may be up and coming.

I'd look at who you will be working with and/or have access to collaborate with on research, presentations, teaching, etc. Would you want to stay in the area after your internship or move for post-doc? Which site has better placement (for what you are looking for) for post-doc? Do they place people in tenure-track opportunities or strictly adjunct without much hope of being on a tenure track? Who offers you the best connections in your area of work? Sometimes a name can carry you around the US, other times it is better to go with an up and coming person so you can have more chance to really contribute and get recognized for it.

Though I'm not looking for a tenure track position, I focused on finding the best fit, supervisor match, and excellent post-doc placement. I didn't bother to consider places that don't place well (in places I'd want to work).....as that is a crucial next step in the process. Some people say that the internship year isn't as important, as you can still do a post-doc in your area of interest, but I really think they are dependent on each other....if I don't have a good internship placement it will be hard to land a solid post-doc, etc.

-t

 

[PSYPAQ]

As much as I hate to say this, having come from a prestigious research oriented program, prestigious internship, and now a prestigious postdoc, I know that a site's prestige will help open doors for me, but it is your CV that ultimately help you get grants, your dream job, etc. However, a lesser known accredited site will certainly not close doors for you.

If I had to prioritize the ingredients for a future career in research while on internship, it would go something like this:
publications > advisor prestige and his/her letter of recommendation > past research funding > 2 more letter writers > graduate program > your social skills > presentations > internship site prestige > internship supervisors.

The most important things for you right now is to go to an accredited site and make sure that you defend your dissertation in due time. Personally, I'd forget about the prestige and go with your gut.

Therapist4change, Although I don't know you and you certainly wouldn't recognize my screen name, I replied to one of your posts when you were contemplating your future career path, and I'm glad to learn that you're moving on to the next step. How in the world can you post so much as a graduate student? My combined post count is <1000 across all internet forums. 😕

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

How in the world can you post so much as a graduate student? My combined post count is <1000 across all internet forums. 😕

Insomnia is a bugger! Wireless in the classroom and during research is definitely a tool of the devil, though it kept me sane through a lot of it. 😀

-t