The what if you don't match thread...

[PsychCA]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hey everyone, I got fewer APA interviews than I thought I would and I'm contemplating options in case I don't match this year. I'll be finishing my coursework and defending soon so I'll need to get job. I'd like to find something that would help me become a more competitive for the next cycle (i.e. I don't really want to work at Starbucks, no offense to Starbucks!).

Does anyone have any ideas about the kind of jobs that would be available to a master level student and how you would go about finding them?

I have a decent amount of adult and child clinical experience as well as research and assessment experience. I'm in California but I'd move anywhere for the right position.

Thanks!

 

[psyunknown]

I know people in my school who didn't match last year got jobs at local hospitals conducting intakes for the unit.

 

[docma]

Taking a year to complete the dissertation and add some specific clinical skills is an excellent way to manage the Match problem. What to do can be shaped by what your longer term goals are for the kind of internship and plans after you are licensed in terms of population and setting. So, for example, adding experience with an age group (older adults, pre-school) or a skill set (substance abuse, inpatient, school sites, primary care) all can be used to develop your c.v. and add to your evidence of commitment to a career track. All of the above and more can be found in master's level positions and parlayed well in interview circumstances. For example, we are always interested in students who have worked in adolescent residential treatment because they often have good crisis intervention, behavioral management skills and the flexibility/humor to work with SMI population. Similarly, work in research settings where you get a lot of interview experience (even if it is not primarily a mental health setting) could lead to good refs re your interview and research skills. Do some brainstorming with your profs. You could even ask folks from desired sites (AFTER all the selection season is over; they are too busy right now) what kinds of employment experience they value. For almost any mental health setting experience with substance abuse is valuable.