Recourse to finding a Postdoc after CAPIC internship

[Still Looking]

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I am a recent graduate as a PsyD. Due to internship imbalances and also need to stay local, I completed a 2000 hour CAPIC internship. Great training, but now I need a postdoc. About 99% of postings want APA internship or they won't accept application. What can be done post graduation about that? How can a private school be held accountable, and how can I now obtain employment?

 

[erg923]

I am a recent graduate as a PsyD. Due to internship imbalances and also need to stay local, I completed a 2000 hour CAPIC internship. Great training, but now I need a postdoc. About 99% of postings want APA internship or they won't accept application. What can be done post graduation about that? How can a private school be held accountable, and how can I now obtain employment?

Held accountable for what? It was your choice to apply and ultimately accept and unaccredited internship.

The limitations to having an unaccredited internship are readily accessible/knowable. I'm sure you learned about this during your graduate training or at least during the internship app cycle.

I don't know what you can do other than call and ask if they will make an exception. Not sure what their incentive would be though. Not all post-doc require the APA internship, although most reputable ones do. Maybe Kaiser doesn't, I'm not sure.

 

[PHD12]

I am a recent graduate as a PsyD. Due to internship imbalances and also need to stay local, I completed a 2000 hour CAPIC internship. Great training, but now I need a postdoc. About 99% of postings want APA internship or they won't accept application. What can be done post graduation about that? How can a private school be held accountable, and how can I now obtain employment?

I hope you share this information with students in your program who are about to apply for internship. I also think the administration should be held accountable if they encourage CAPIC internships and do not provide you with the information to make an informed decision. Does the program inform you about the limitations of CAPIC?

Everyone on this forum strongly discourages unaccredited/CAPIC internships, yet many ignore us because they would like to stay in CA or don't want to re-apply.

Moving forward, I would look at the CAPIC website for postdoctoral listings and try to be more geographically flexible. You may have to take on a low paid/unpaid postdoc because of your internship. You may also want to apply for jobs at this stage.

 

[JeyRo]

This would be what I would call a cautionary tale.

 

[Still Looking]

When I applied to internships, in early 2008, as far as I knew and still know, the requirement for an APA internship wasn't the requirement for employment that it is now. APA has grown in influence since then. My School actively accepts APA, APPIC, and CAPIC internships and it was printed in their graduate handbook. Students are taught about the entire process of getting through graduate school, including the internship process. That is why we pay them tuition, to learn. Training Directors are the ones who direct students away from unacceptable practicum sites and will not allow you to take what they deem inappropriate training. How is that responsibility not carried over to directing students for internship selection? I do not think a university that actively pursues and accepts CAPIC internships is going to tell students not to take one due to being unaccredited and the future loss of income. It is a huge question as to why APA and WASC will accredit a university knowing that students from that institution are at a huge disadvantage for obtaining employment. Most major universities have reputable programs where the department chairs will even find postdoc or jobs for their graduates. Many private not for profit, and for profit universities do not uphold the same standards.

 

[erg923]

When I applied to internships, in early 2008, as far as I knew and still know, the requirement for an APA internship wasn't the requirement for employment that it is now.

Sorry, but that's just not correct.

APA internship has been required for employment in the VA, DoD, and the vast majority of formal post-doc training programs for many many years. Only recently, with the imbalance has the requirement begun to ease off in some places (e.g,., post-docs)

 

[erg923]

Most major universities have reputable programs where the department chairs will even find postdoc or jobs for their graduates. Many private not for profit, and for profit universities do not uphold the same standards.

This board actively discourages atteding professional schools for those who are currently seeking/applying for graduate education in psychology

 

[AcronymAllergy]

I agree in that it's going to be a tough sell to say the program holds much responsibility. Our program never formally got into any potential limitations owing to attending non-accredited internships (or even really provided much formal education on internships as a whole), although to some extent that might've been unnecessary, as they only accepted APA-accredited spots for students.

At this point, I don't really know that there's much that can be done in the reparative sense. Combing through postdoc and job postings on listserves (national, state, and city; which I'm sure you're already doing), checking in with the internship site and grad program to see where prior trainees have applied and ended up, etc., are the main recommendations I can think up.

 

[edieb]

To the OP: Have you joined your state psychological association? The listservs for those have quite a few post-docs advertised that do not require an APA internship (e.g., private practices and the like). I bet you can find a paying post-doc there

Good Luck!

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

The state psych assoc. is a great idea. Have you checked w. CAPIC to see how prior students have handled this situation?

 

[Still Looking]

Thanks, I had not thought of checking with the state psychological association. I have been checking with sites such as indeed.com, psych Careers, and many others including an alumni career center. It doesn't matter when APA internships were the correct ones to accept or not, in this case it was a matter of a student new to universities not knowing the correct questions to ask. I'm sure there are many savvy students that knew the ins and outs of universities. At this point, my question was how to get past the road block I ran up against. It may just be a lesson for new students to not get caught in the same spot. I now have to think outside of the box and figure out how I am going to pay the student loans. I may not ever get licensed the way it looks. But I will try.

 

[AcronymAllergy]

Thanks, I had not thought of checking with the state psychological association. I have been checking with sites such as indeed.com, psych Careers, and many others including an alumni career center. It doesn't matter when APA internships were the correct ones to accept or not, in this case it was a matter of a student new to universities not knowing the correct questions to ask. I'm sure there are many savvy students that knew the ins and outs of universities. At this point, my question was how to get past the road block I ran up against. It may just be a lesson for new students to not get caught in the same spot. I now have to think outside of the box and figure out how I am going to pay the student loans. I may not ever get licensed the way it looks. But I will try.

State psych associations are a great way to go. If they have any get togethers at some point, definitely see about attending those, as networking can be an amazingly effective way to find jobs. Also look into nearby city associations, as many larger cities seem to have them. Websites of these organizations may even have job posting sections.

In my experiences (which are admittedly limited, given that I don't start formally job hunting until next year), general/nationwide career websites really seem to be the last place that most psychology-oriented jobs show up. They often seem to get filled before they make it that far. The potential exception to this may be academic careers/spots, although I have very, very little knowledge in that area.

 

[PHD12]

Thanks, I had not thought of checking with the state psychological association. I have been checking with sites such as indeed.com, psych Careers, and many others including an alumni career center. It doesn't matter when APA internships were the correct ones to accept or not, in this case it was a matter of a student new to universities not knowing the correct questions to ask. I'm sure there are many savvy students that knew the ins and outs of universities. At this point, my question was how to get past the road block I ran up against. It may just be a lesson for new students to not get caught in the same spot. I now have to think outside of the box and figure out how I am going to pay the student loans. I may not ever get licensed the way it looks. But I will try.

Because you already starting your search with limitations, I would recommend being geographically flexible. You really should consider moving outside of CA. It's the most saturated state for psychologists. There are 10 states now that don't require postdoc hours (including nearby Arizona and Washington). They may take your internship if it meets their standards of training.

If you ever get licensed, I hope you can get involved with organizations and try to change these unfair and abusive practices that take advantage of students. I think it's unfair that these programs are APA accredited (I do believe programs should also be held accountable if they encourage CAPIC internships without providing information on the drawbacks). I have yet to see a professional school website that provides information about CAPIC vs. APA vs. APPIC and employment issues with each. How is this even legal? All the unemployed and debt burdened students from these programs should get together and file a lawsuit since the program has the APA stamp of approval, but allows for internships that may prevent you from ever getting licensed. It's quite misleading to say that 98% of the students landed internships when the vast majority are unaccredited, unpaid positions that will prevent you from possibly getting licensed in the future. Unfortunately, this is the only hope for any change.

 

[eudaimonPsyD]

I imagine the OP probably attends a very similar institution to that which I am unfortunately associated with. And I can say that CAPIC definitely isn't NOT encouraged. Actively steering students toward that I'm not sure, but they definitely down play the potential impact of a CAPIC internship. Many of my cohort who are currently CAPIC interns are now finding themselves in the OP's position.

To the OP: previous suggestions are excellent. I think reaching out to the psych community local to your area, or the area you would like to be, would be a good idea. There may be licensed psychologists or small practices that would be willing to provide post doc hours; although you may end up doing alot of foot work to grow your own clientele base. May take more than a year to get the number of required hours. But I know of psychologists that have done this, having completed CAPIC and completely unaccredited internships.

I don't want to hijack this thread, but I'm not quite sure where to post this question. I didn't think starting a whole new thread would be appropriate. And the OP's situation has definitely got me thinking...and extremely worried. This is my 2nd year in the Match, and my chances in Round 2 aren't looking great (7 interviews Phase I, 1 interview Phase 2). I attend a CAPIC-affiliated school and have the option to complete one. I have a few interviews lined up already. I am having a hard time deciding whether I should wait, put off grad again, and go through the match a third time. I am so well aware of the limitations of CAPIC, but I am thinking that I may need to just get an internship so I can graduate, get my degree, and start the uphill battle to establish a career. I would like to go into college counseling, which I know can be a hard area to break into, and I would imagine it would be exceedingly more difficult with a CAPIC predoc. One of the interviews I do have lined up is at a college counseling center though.

I just need to bounce this off people who understand. Any thoughts are appreciated.

 

[VeryHopeful2010]

OP: I'm very upset to hear about your troubles finding a post doc. We have to all collectively think about what we are doing to ourselves as a field. APA is really not cutting it. Sorry, I'll get off my soapbox about that...
Why create a CAPIC system if it isn't going to get you to the next step? Arg! Yes, APA accreditation is a must for most post-docs, but have you considered college counseling centers? In my experience (and I'm an east coaster), they are more open to taking students from non-APA internships.

 

[DynamicDidactic]

just move out of Cali. You can be licensed and looking for real work in 11 states.

More importantly, make your particular experiences known and steer students away from the pitfalls you faced.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

Why create a CAPIC system if it isn't going to get you to the next step?

That has been part of my argument since it came about. It is really unfair to the students and also the field.

OP...definitely do a lot of networking, as all you need is one place to say yes (and then making sure to stay to get all of your hours needed for licensure).

 

[PHD12]

just move out of Cali. You can be licensed and looking for real work in 11 states.

More importantly, make your particular experiences known and steer students away from the pitfalls you faced.

you are assuming that other states will count CAPIC internship hours. CAPIC is not accredited anywhere but California.

Wow, the CAPIC Board of Directors are all professional school professors. No wonder they are encouraging CAPIC Internships:

Haydee Montenegro, Psy.D. (2015)
Violations Committee
John F Kennedy University, Pleasant Hill
Email: [email protected]

Eric Prensky, Psy.D. (2015)
Argosy University, San Francisco Bay Area
Email: [email protected]

Megan O’Banion, Psy.D. (2015)
The Chicago Schools of Professional Psychology, Los Angeles
Email: [email protected]

Neil Ribner, PhD (2015)
Vice Chair
CSPP/Alliant International University-San Diego, San Diego
Email: [email protected]

 

[AcronymAllergy]

you are assuming that other states will count CAPIC internship hours. CAPIC is not accredited anywhere but California.

This is an important point in that much like attending an unaccredited doctoral program, the legwork for proving the equivalency of a CAPIC training experience to APPIC/APA (which is the specification used by most state licensure laws I've looked into) will fall on the trainee. Thus, I'd strongly recommend keeping as much paperwork as possible, including things like the schedule of didactics (and perhaps even handouts from said didactics), meticulously-tracked supervision logs, hours of face-to-face and overall clinical work, etc.

 

[PHD12]

[

I don't want to hijack this thread, but I'm not quite sure where to post this question. I didn't think starting a whole new thread would be appropriate. And the OP's situation has definitely got me thinking...and extremely worried. This is my 2nd year in the Match, and my chances in Round 2 aren't looking great (7 interviews Phase I, 1 interview Phase 2). I attend a CAPIC-affiliated school and have the option to complete one. I have a few interviews lined up already. I am having a hard time deciding whether I should wait, put off grad again, and go through the match a third time. I am so well aware of the limitations of CAPIC, but I am thinking that I may need to just get an internship so I can graduate, get my degree, and start the uphill battle to establish a career. I would like to go into college counseling, which I know can be a hard area to break into, and I would imagine it would be exceedingly more difficult with a CAPIC predoc. One of the interviews I do have lined up is at a college counseling center though.

I just need to bounce this off people who understand. Any thoughts are appreciated.[/QUOTE]

Start researching and contacting college counseling centers that you are interested in for postdoc and see if they accept CAPIC internships. The ones I know in CA all require APA internships (Any UC school, USC). There may be smaller colleges that accept CAPIC. I think you should do the research now before making any decisions about internship. The only postdocs that I've seen that accept CAPIC are on the CAPIC website, but there is a limited #.

The problem with trying to get your hours in private practice in CA is that the board of psychology does not allow you to advertise as a psych assistant. The psych assistants i've spoken to are taking a very long time to accrue hours and living on poverty wages (the supervising psychologist usually takes 60% of earnings). Some of them only have 5 patients after 6 months of PP. I looked into this a while back even though my internship is APA and immediately realized that it was going to be very unpredictable and impossible from a financial standpoint.

 

[futureapppsy2]

I have to say, SDNers are particularly informed about training and professional issues, IME. I've known, for example, first and second year grad students, including some at well-regarded programs, who didn't know about the match process or the internship imbalance or other things that SDNers consider pretty standard knowledge. Of course, this is no excuse for ignorance, but I think the average grad student knows far less about professional and training issues than we might assume.

(On that note, go SDN! 🙂)

you are assuming that other states will count CAPIC internship hours. CAPIC is not accredited anywhere but California.

AFAIK, CAPIC isn't actually an accreditation venue, but rather a match service venue, like APPIC. They do have membership standards (http://www.capic.net/material/Internship_Membership/CAPIC_Predoctoral_Criteria_w_clarifications.pdf), as does APPIC, but they aren't as rigorous as APA accreditation standards for internships.

 

[syzergy]

I have to say, SDNers are particularly informed about training and professional issues, IME. I've known, for example, first and second year grad students, including some at well-regarded programs, who didn't know about the match process or the internship imbalance or other things that SDNers consider pretty standard knowledge. Of course, this is no excuse for ignorance, but I think the average grad student knows far less about professional and training issues than we might assume.

(On that note, go SDN! 🙂)

Haha this. My mentor was really impressed when I contribute to the internship conversations with the 5th years (I'm a wee lil firstie). I didn't mention my knowledge is from my epic SDN searches while procrastinating.

 

[PHD12]

Wow, talk about loose standards for CAPIC. As long as the primary supervisor is a psychologist and is "available" at the site, including telephone availability, all the other supervisors can be MFT, LCSW. This would never fly in an APA program. I don't know if these delegated mental health professional supervisors are going to meet licensure requirements in other states.

The primary supervisor is licensed as a psychologist by the California Board of
Psychology and can certify training in supervision as required by the Board of
Psychology. The primary supervisor must be employed by the same agency as the
intern and is available to the intern 100% of the time the intern is accruing
supervised professional experience. This availability may be in person or by
telephone, pager or other appropriate technology. All delegated individual and
group supervisors must be licensed mental health professionals (MFT, LCSW or
Board Certified Psychiatrist) who can certify training in supervision as required by
the Board of Psychology.

The training director only has to be on site 20 hours a week (for full-time interns) and 10 hours per week for part-time interns. I have never heard of a "part-time" training director at any of the APA sites.

 

[Pragma]

CAPIC - one more reason for why I find California annoying.

 

[JeyRo]

CAPIC - one more reason for why I find California annoying.

California is the pits. If it weren't for the nice weather and the fact my parents lived here, I'd be living in New Hampshire or Oregon by now.

 

[Pragma]

California is the pits. If it weren't for the nice weather and the fact my parents lived here, I'd be living in New Hampshire or Oregon by now.

It is the only place I have ever heard of that a large proportion of people just seem dead-set on living (maybe New York too I guess). But aside from the weather, what's the draw? There are plenty of places to live across the country if you are obsessed with the outdoors, and most cities these days have become incredibly diverse. I just can't think of one good reason to live there (especially as a psychologist), and I have lived in several different states.

 

[PHD12]

It is the only place I have ever heard of that a large proportion of people just seem dead-set on living (maybe New York too I guess). But aside from the weather, what's the draw? There are plenty of places to live across the country if you are obsessed with the outdoors, and most cities these days have become incredibly diverse. I just can't think of one good reason to live there (especially as a psychologist), and I have lived in several different states.

The only way you can live in my location as a psychologist is if your partner/spouse has nice income. Otherwise, you cannot afford the median home price on a psychologists income. People with BA degrees earn more than psychologists in my location in CA. My partner makes around 150K with a BA degree and this income is not considered high around here (otherwise, I would be out of here in a second).

 

[SFPsyd]

It is the only place I have ever heard of that a large proportion of people just seem dead-set on living (maybe New York too I guess). But aside from the weather, what's the draw? There are plenty of places to live across the country if you are obsessed with the outdoors, and most cities these days have become incredibly diverse. I just can't think of one good reason to live there (especially as a psychologist), and I have lived in several different states.

Best weather in the country, most diversity, incredible cultural attractions, food capital of the US (arguably), amazing outdoor activities, access to the ocean, no snow...I could go on, but I wouldn't want any more people flooding my area and drive up the housing prices anymore than they already are 🙂 I guess I would say, there is a reason (many in fact) that it is the "only place that a large proportion of people are dead-set on living."

That said, if owning a big house is a top priority, then there are certainly more affordable places to live. But for me, I'll take my condo in the Bay over a mansion just about anywhere else. To each his own I guess.

 

[cara susanna]

My fiance's family lives in California (not even in a big metro area) and most of them are currently unemployed or laid off. It is TERRIBLE for jobs in general. My fiance is dead set on living out west, so I'm pushing for Arizona or New Mexico.

 

[cara susanna]

My fiance's family lives in California (not even in a big metro area) and most of them are currently unemployed or laid off. It is TERRIBLE for jobs in general. My fiance is dead set on living out west, so I'm pushing for Arizona or New Mexico.

Best weather in the country, most diversity, incredible cultural attractions, food capital of the US (arguably), amazing outdoor activities, access to the ocean, no snow...

You just described a lot of areas in the United States that are not in California.

 

[Pragma]

Best weather in the country, most diversity, incredible cultural attractions, food capital of the US (arguably)

These things are all subjective. I happen to live in a very large urban area and I'd argue that aside from perhaps the weather, the diversity, cultural attractions, and definitely the food are all better than any city in California that I have traveled to (and I have stayed in several). You can think yours are the best, but not everyone would agree with you.

I'm not certain how you operationalize "best weather" because that is also subjective.

amazing outdoor activities, access to the ocean, no snow

You can get these in many places throughout the country.

Sure, California has some things going for it, but it makes zero sense to me that people are so focused on living there. I'd take where I live over anywhere in California any day, and I consider that an informed opinion (having some family that lives in CA).

But as you said, to each their own. I just hope what I consider to be an unreasonable obsession with CA wouldn't force someone to make a terrible career decision (e.g., CAPIC).

 

[Pragma]

My fiance's family lives in California (not even in a big metro area) and most of them are currently unemployed or laid off. It is TERRIBLE for jobs in general. My fiance is dead set on living out west, so I'm pushing for Arizona or New Mexico.

Colorado also has fantastic weather and access to much better skiing.

 

[PHD12]

I'm doing my taxes right now and forgot to mention the 10% CA state tax if your income is above 48K.

 

[SFPsyd]

My fiance's family lives in California (not even in a big metro area) and most of them are currently unemployed or laid off. It is TERRIBLE for jobs in general. My fiance is dead set on living out west, so I'm pushing for Arizona or New Mexico.



You just described a lot of areas in the United States that are not in California.

Not many, at least in terms of all of the factors. East coast has ocean access obviously but much worse weather overall. North of California on the Pacific same thing of course. And few can hold a candle in terms of the combination of all those factors. Having lived briefly in AZ, I would strongly advise against it at least compared to CA. Much worse weather, lack of culture, mediocre food. New Mexico is a bit better from what I have seen.

 

[SFPsyd]

These things are all subjective. I happen to live in a very large urban area and I'd argue that aside from perhaps the weather, the diversity, cultural attractions, and definitely the food are all better than any city in California that I have traveled to (and I have stayed in several). You can think yours are the best, but not everyone would agree with you.

I'm not certain how you operationalize "best weather" because that is also subjective.



You can get these in many places throughout the country.

Sure, California has some things going for it, but it makes zero sense to me that people are so focused on living there. I'd take where I live over anywhere in California any day, and I consider that an informed opinion (having some family that lives in CA).

But as you said, to each their own. I just hope what I consider to be an unreasonable obsession with CA wouldn't force someone to make a terrible career decision (e.g., CAPIC).

Of course there is a lot of subjectivity. For me, I'd operationalize bad weather as anywhere where the temperature regularly goes either below 50, or above 85. So for me, where I live is incredible, as it stays between 55-80 year-round. When I want the snow, I can go for a weekend and then come back to normal. As for food, diversity, and culture, you would get very few arguments of anyplace over San Francisco besides maybe NYC (but again, the weather sucks).

As for the CAPIC/career decisions, on that we are in total agreement. And if I was earning the median salary for psychologists it would also make things feel tighter. That being said, it's a question of priority. Owning a large home takes a major backseat to other factors such as the ones I've mentioned. So I totally get the infatuation with California and I think the high (some would call insane) cost of living is justified and merely a toll for living in this beautiful land. But as we agree on, to each his own. My closest friend lives in Montana, loves it...I don't see the appeal but he sure does.

 

[Pragma]

Of course there is a lot of subjectivity. For me, I'd operationalize bad weather as anywhere where the temperature regularly goes either below 50, or above 85. So for me, where I live is incredible, as it stays between 55-80 year-round. When I want the snow, I can go for a weekend and then come back to normal. As for food, diversity, and culture, you would get very few arguments of anyplace over San Francisco besides maybe NYC (but again, the weather sucks).

As for the CAPIC/career decisions, on that we are in total agreement. And if I was earning the median salary for psychologists it would also make things feel tighter. That being said, it's a question of priority. Owning a large home takes a major backseat to other factors such as the ones I've mentioned. So I totally get the infatuation with California and I think the high (some would call insane) cost of living is justified and merely a toll for living in this beautiful land. But as we agree on, to each his own. My closest friend lives in Montana, loves it...I don't see the appeal but he sure does.

No offense, but I didn't find SF particularly enjoyable when I visited. One of my family members lived in the Bay area and the summer weather was awful (too dry and hot).

I'd rather go to cities like Atlanta, Chicago, New Orleans, Seattle, or Boston to get my fix. I also probably would put New York ahead of LA and SF on my personal list.

The home ownership situation in CA sounds terrible. One sibling used to live there making well over 150K but told me that a lot of folks wait to buy until their 40's.

 

[cara susanna]

Having lived briefly in AZ, I would strongly advise against it at least compared to CA. Much worse weather, lack of culture, mediocre food. New Mexico is a bit better from what I have seen.

It's currently -30 F where I am right now. I was born, raised, and am still currently living in the upper Midwest so your weather requirements strike me as waaay too stringent. 40 F is warm to me. As for culture, as long as I'm at most an hour away from an opera company I'm golden.

Colorado also has fantastic weather and access to much better skiing.

Noted, thanks!

 

[PHD12]

The home ownership situation in CA sounds terrible. One sibling used to live there making well over 150K but told me that a lot of folks wait to buy until their 40's.

Tell me about it. I am hoping to be able to afford a 2 bedroom condo out here when I'm in my 40's.

 

[eudaimonPsyD]

I would most definitely consider living outside of California if my fiancé didn't work for the state.

I was actually looking forward to living outside CA for predoc. Just to have 1 year to experience something new. Just another layer to my current dilemma...

 

[SFPsyd]

Tell me about it. I am hoping to be able to afford a 2 bedroom condo out here when I'm in my 40's.

Considering what your partner makes, and your potential earning, why wait so long? You could likely afford that within the next couple of years, as plenty of nice 2-br condos can be had for 350-500k.

 

[ClinPsychEnthus]

These things are all subjective. I happen to live in a very large urban area and I'd argue that aside from perhaps the weather, the diversity, cultural attractions, and definitely the food are all better than any city in California that I have traveled to (and I have stayed in several). You can think yours are the best, but not everyone would agree with you.

I'm not certain how you operationalize "best weather" because that is also subjective.



You can get these in many places throughout the country.

Sure, California has some things going for it, but it makes zero sense to me that people are so focused on living there. I'd take where I live over anywhere in California any day, and I consider that an informed opinion (having some family that lives in CA).

But as you said, to each their own. I just hope what I consider to be an unreasonable obsession with CA wouldn't force someone to make a terrible career decision (e.g., CAPIC).

+1 !!

 

[ClinPsychEnthus]

It's currently -30 F where I am right now. I was born, raised, and am still currently living in the upper Midwest so your weather requirements strike me as waaay too stringent. 40 F is warm to me. As for culture, as long as I'm at most an hour away from an opera company I'm golden.



Noted, thanks!

I literally do not think I would be able to cope in this type of weather. When it gets to 15 degrees where I live, I get kinda angry inside. 😡

 

[EmotRegulation]

As for culture, as long as I'm at most an hour away from an opera company I'm golden.

Albuquerque doesn't have an opera company, but the Santa Fe opera house is simply gorgeous--semi outdoors, facing the mountains.

Training at the Southwest Consortium internship is pretty great, too!

 

[bum]

Well, I must say that, after living in several different parts of the country, CA is my ideal landing spot! I understand the costs associated, but it's really down to what area fits your goals for life. I'm certainly biased as I grew up and did all of my schooling here, plus I'm fortunate to have gotten my internship in the Bay Area and just received my postdoc in Southern CA. To me, weather, beaches and being close to my family in So Cal are most important. However, Texas looks pretty appealing at times with housing/cost of living. I may consider a move when I have children.

As for the discussion here, I agree that CAPIC internships present unique challenges. I've seen increase of students seeking positions on local (LA) listservs. I think that's the best way to navigate finding a position, although it will take time, effort, and flexibility. I imagine that students would have to take a less desirable position to get hours. I'm not a fan of CAPIC, but I want to acknowledge that very competent clinicians can be produced. I just hope they can shine through the barriers.

As I've been primarily in CA UCCs, I want to highlight that most sites require APA accreditation (program and internship). I've worked alongside people who did not take this route, but they're older and established. I don't think that reflects the current state of requirements. As someone else mentioned, some smaller schools will consider CAPIC, but pay will be significantly less and mobility hindered.

 

[futureapppsy2]

It's currently -30 F where I am right now. I was born, raised, and am still currently living in the upper Midwest so your weather requirements strike me as waaay too stringent. 40 F is warm to me.

Today, I looked at the weather on my phone and thought "It's 32 F--well, that's too warm to wear a sweatshirt!" (sign that I am obviously not in California 😉 ).

 

[cara susanna]

Albuquerque doesn't have an opera company, but the Santa Fe opera house is simply gorgeous--semi outdoors, facing the mountains.

Training at the Southwest Consortium internship is pretty great, too!

Cool, I'm planning on applying there this fall 🙂

 

[Member6523]

I've lived all around the US and did my grad program and internship at separate sites. Now I'm happy to say I've landed a killer post doc in CA and trust me when I say it's an incredible feeling. CA really is the place to be. Sorry y'all but you have to live it to know it. Other states may be cheaper and have some slice of culture, but at the end of the day you're just comparing to and hating on the golden state.

 

[erg923]

I've lived all around the US and did my grad program and internship at separate sites. Now I'm happy to say I've landed a killer post doc in CA and trust me when I say it's an incredible feeling. CA really is the place to be. Sorry y'all but you have to live it to know it. Other states may be cheaper and have some slice of culture, but at the end of the day you're just comparing to and hating on the golden state.

I lived there for years and never really got it. Beautiful in many parts, but that beauty is seen in many other areas of the country as well. And its a little too far left, if you ask me. I once told somebody I grew up hunting and you would have thought Id run over a bus full of nuns or something...

 

[Pragma]

I lived there for years and never really got it. Beautiful in many parts, but that beauty is seen in many other areas of the country as well. And its a little too far left, if you ask me. I once told somebody I grew up hunting and you would have thought Id run over a bus full of nuns or something...

 

[bmedclinic]

Since we've completely derailed this thread, I thought I'd "pimp my state". Native Texan. No income Tax. Opposite of that socialist earthquate waiting to happen in CA in that respect 😉.

Good cities. Good sports (minus the cowboys--booooooo) and pretty decent hiking and food. It's a tad hot, but its easy to adjust.