Who's working during grad school?

[PinkSoil]

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I am entering as a 2nd year student. I know that I won't be able to work at all in my 3rd year, as we are required to take four classes... however, I am definitely working this entire year. I just spoke with my supervisor today, and cut down my hours appropriately, for once I start school. I am a therapist, and my supervisor assured me that I can further increase or decrease hours once school starts, depending on my comfort level. I will have Wednesdays off from working, and then I will work three full days, and one partial day.

Who will be maintaining a work schedule? What work do you do?

 

[Ollie123]

My guess is not many people.

I can't imagine actually having much time to work...though I suppose it might be a little different if you are working as a therapist. I've never heard of anyone able to do less than a 9-5 for grad school though (and a busy one at that). I think 60-70 is far more common, and classes are usually just a tiny portion of that.

Is there something setup with your school to allow you to count work hours as practicum/supervised hours for the program? That might make things a little more feasible.

 

[joetro]

Generally most programs discourage or prohibit students from working, although you can certainly be paid to do therapy ... our program pays advanced therapists after the 3rd year, as we only require through year 3. But I'm not sure that you could get a job at The Gap or something like that (although I don't really know how they'd know).

 

[JockNerd]

We have some 3rd and 4th year prac sites that pay, and they're pretty decent. Beyond that I can't imagine working in my program. :s

 

[RayneeDeigh]

Yeah I'm with everyone else on this one. My program allows I think 7 hours a week outside of the program, so some people are employed as psychometrists for the federal prison or there's one neuropsychologist that employs some students to help with assessments. But between courses, research, and TA work, I'd find it really hard to even find 7 hours.

 

[PsyDr]

so you are taking 12hrs and working 3.25 days?!

you might be underestimating how much time you'll need to spend on coursework while you are not in class.

also: if you are entering as a 2nd year, you should probably start attacking your dissertation pretty soon as you will have less time to finish before internship.

 

[Ollie123]

you might be underestimating how much time you'll need to spend on coursework while you are not in class.

.

I actually feel like its the non-classwork that's scary. I could probably handle working 3 days if I was JUST taking 12 grad credits, but even first year when classwork is supposed to be most intense in my program it accounted for at most 40% of my time. And I wasn't even teaching!

Those research/clinical/department service activities add up fast!

 

[JockNerd]

I guess I'd need to to more about motivations for work to really have a clear picture though. I mean, if all other options are exhausted and it's a decision between working a bit in something applicable to the degree (therapy or psychometrics for example) or starving, and other options (loans, money from family) are out, then I guess one would have to. But I know people who would just *die* without that 47' plasma, and that's ridiculous.

 

[KillerDiller]

I hold a fellowship outside of the psychology department. It's through the student health center and very related to both the clinical population and research I want to do. It's 13 hours a week, and I balance that with my coursework, TAship, research, practicum, etc. Luckily, in my department, the work we do for our TA for tuition remission is minimal (unlike in my Masters program where we worked 20 hours a week for that). Also, I've worked throughout the summer to get my thesis as far along as possible. It's going to be rough, but definitely possible, and I'm hoping it will look great on my applications for internships.

 

[PsyDr]

ollie: you are right. i should have been more specific. i was including practicum, research, and dissertation in my statement.


although i am somewhat cautious about the research angle, as i doubt any lab would accept someone for one day a week.

i know i worked 65hrs/wk in a combination of lab/TA'ing/class/practicum/etc. i have no idea how i would have fit job into all that.

 

[PinkSoil]

I guess I'd need to to more about motivations for work to really have a clear picture though. I mean, if all other options are exhausted and it's a decision between working a bit in something applicable to the degree (therapy or psychometrics for example) or starving, and other options (loans, money from family) are out, then I guess one would have to. But I know people who would just *die* without that 47' plasma, and that's ridiculous.

LOL, I can live without the plasma, but there certain things like car payments, car insurance, food, mortgage, and supplies for my pets, that I cannot do without. While my school discourages working, they also understand that people need money to live, and my interviewer told me that a lot of people maintain a part-time job while in the program.

I don't know what life is without working. I trust myself to find the right balance between work and school. I have been living outside of my parent's house since I was in community college.

Do you some programs really "prohibit" students from working? I have a friend who is in the doc program at my school-- she is one year ahead of me. She works close to full-time, and when the professors get on her back about it, she asks them who will pay her bills, lol. She feels that she has found the right balance (she is doing very well in school), and believes that it is personal decision as to what type of work schedule she is going to carry, as long as she can fully commit to school.

I feel the same way. I have been working as a therapist since my first week after getting my Masters Degree. I don't intend to give it up, not only for financial reasons, but for the commitment I made to my clients. School is, of course, my first priorty, and I will adjust work accordingly. However, I also had a life before school, with a lot of responsibilities-- and I don't believe in anyone prohibiting or discouraging me from what I know that I can handle.

 

[Ollie123]

Well I think most of us are getting paid to go to school (albeit not much), so we can usually cover the basics that way - sometimes taking out loans to supplement it. I'm guessing you're at one of the unfunded programs? I think it would be a tougher sell convincing students in those programs not to work when they're taking on that much debt combined with the knowledge that most programs are paying their students.

I think some schools do formally prohibit it, but I think they are all providing stipends for the students. How anyone can work full time is absolutely beyong my comprehension though. Is it at least in a research or therapist job? If its in an unrelated field, I can't imagine actually getting enough out of grad school to be successful upon graduation. I'm sure its possible to get a good GPA working that much, but you can have a 4.0 and still be a terrible student since grad classwork isn't exactly the primary component it is in undergrad. Is your friend producing research? Seeing clients in the school clinic and doing practicums as well?

I mean, if she can pull it off, good for her - I just don't know where people find the time. I'm typically spending about 40 hours a week in addition to anything I'm doing for classwork, and still feel like that isn't enough to really learn everything I need to.

 

[PinkSoil]

Well I think most of us are getting paid to go to school (albeit not much), so we can usually cover the basics that way - sometimes taking out loans to supplement it. I'm guessing you're at one of the unfunded programs? I think it would be a tougher sell convincing students in those programs not to work when they're taking on that much debt combined with the knowledge that most programs are paying their students.

Nah, no one is paying me to go to school. I do get student loan refunds, though.

Is your friend producing research? Seeing clients in the school clinic and doing practicums as well?

My friend is doing research, yes. As for me, I am not a therapist at the school clinic. I work at an outpatient agency.

 

[erg923]

Typically, Psy.Ds find it easier to work because they dont have the resesarch componets that most people in Ph.Ds have. I dont know any Ph.Ds that could work, even if they wanted to. My stipend provides most of my neccesary expenses, and this really is the way it should be. Immersion is the learning at ther doctoral level. My 4th year practicum at an epilepsy and memory disorders clinic will be paid though...YAY....🙂

 

[Ollie123]

Typically, Psy.Ds find it easier to work because they dont have the resesarch componets that most people in Ph.Ds have. I dont know any Ph.Ds that could work, even if they wanted to. My stipend provides most of my neccesary expenses, and this really is the way it should be. Immersion is the learning at ther doctoral level. My 4th year practicum at an epilepsy and memory disorders clinic will be paid though...YAY....🙂

Aren't they doing additional clinical work in that time though? I always thought the idea was to replace some of the research activities with additional clinical work, not just to do less work overall...

 

[erg923]

I was really just speculating based on what I have heard. I was thinking during the first year (maybe 2) when they have the foundation coursework like Ph.Ds, but no research responsibilities. That probably leaves more open time. I am not sure really.

 

[sicologia]

I am a second year PsyD student and have equal amounts research and clinical responsibilities. I also work full time and will be teaching this fall. The trade off for me is that I gain the experience with the job I hold in school psychology, yet I don't have a stipend for my program. The upside is that I can continue with my career as I go.

 

[PinkSoil]

I am a second year PsyD student and have equal amounts research and clinical responsibilities. I also work full time and will be teaching this fall. The trade off for me is that I gain the experience with the job I hold in school psychology, yet I don't have a stipend for my program. The upside is that I can continue with my career as I go.

That is refreshing to hear, Sicologia. I am planning to work as much a I can.

BTW, I am in Philadelphia, also. 🙂

 

[Markro311]

I'm finishing up my first year of my PsyD (we go year round). I work about 10-15 hours a week in my school's library. I'd say if anything, the average PsyD student would have more time to work not because of clinical vs. research responsibilities, but because to me it seems that many more PhD's are TA's than PsyD students. If anything, PsyD students replace the TA (or perhaps RA) time with work. But once my Assessment practicum begins in the Fall, I'll probably only work if I have a gaps between classes where it makes sense to work in my school's library since I'm on campus anyway. I'll be doing about 25 hours a week at my practicum.

 

[PsyCoCo]

It has really boggled my mind how some people manage to pay for school AND make a living.
I'm single and responsible for my own rent, gas, food, etc. I'm almost 40, so my parents sure don't send me money while I'm in school! If they did, I'd probably die from shock.

It looks like I'm going to end up doing work-study for 20 hours per week for at least my first year, plus probably working on-call for a youth crisis shelter. I certainly won't get rich from doing this, but it will cover my living expenses.

As for a stipend.....huh? How do you get paid to go to school? Maybe it's because I'm going to a private school that I've never heard of this. But hey, if I can get paid to go- COUNT ME IN!!

 

[erg923]

I am curious to how and why you dont know this if you're in a grad program. I cant imagine how this issue didn't get raised in conversations with your research mentors, professors, or LOR writers when discussing grad school, or during your research for choosing schools. Did you only apply to one school and not even look at programs?

Actually, most Ph.D programs are funded and being a private school has nothing to do with the amount of support the program offers. Stanford (a private school) offers stipends to their students just ther same as any other state university would. Stuident stipend is typically pulled from resesrch funds anyway, not tax pater dollars. So private or public university doesnt make a difference. Most stipends are between 10k and 20k. 15k is a common ballpark figure for most programs. I think mine is 16k with full tuition remission and I am in a large private university. Stipends are usually enough to cover the basics (food, rent, books, gas) but generally not enough to totally live on if you're in New York, Boston, or the west coast. I am married though, so my sugar mamma helps us to not to life too much like a poor students🙂 Along with your stipend, most programs will give full or partial tuition remissions. Meaning you don't pay tuition, or if it a "partial remission," you might pay half or something. The description "fully-funded" generally refers to programs with stipends and full tuition remission. Make no mistake though, you are working for all this. It's just that this work helps you, and is often directly related to furthering your development/career. Most people will have to give the professor a certain amount of hours per week in the lab devoted to working on their/your research. Other duties may include being a Teaching Assistant (TA) which is often more time consuming than people realize. Most, but certainly not all Ph.D programs are fully or partially funded. Most Psy.Ds are not funded at all and require significant amounts of student loans.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

I am a second year PsyD student and have equal amounts research and clinical responsibilities.

My program is the same way, and the only flexibility is that we don't *have* to have research hours (for credit) every semester, but we still have research req. and deadlines to factor in. I've worked as a RA/GA in my 3rd and 4th years...but the first two it was way too busy to do much outside of classes, research, and seeing clients (2nd year at least).

 

[Ollie123]

I'm trying to figure out how some people don't know you get paid to go to school😉

Its much more common for programs to pay than not pay. Even if you just look at a few programs, chances are you'll find at least one that pays.

On the original topic though - Pinksoil are you actually only taking classes right now? Or do you have other involvement in the school? If you're just taking classes, are you even formally admitted to the program or is it kind of a "taking some local classes somewhere before applying" kind of thing? If its the latter that's a very different story and it makes sense you'd be able to work quite a bit.

If its the former, I can honestly say I've NEVER heard of a program not requiring at least seeing in-house clients, outside practicums/placements, teaching a class, or pretty sizable research involvement, if not all of the above - at least not until you are well past the typical graduation schedule and in a 6th or 7th year. Are you really just taking classes, or did I misunderstand?

 

[PinkSoil]

On the original topic though - Pinksoil are you actually only taking classes right now? Or do you have other involvement in the school? If you're just taking classes, are you even formally admitted to the program or is it kind of a "taking some local classes somewhere before applying" kind of thing? If its the latter that's a very different story and it makes sense you'd be able to work quite a bit.

Yes, I am formally admitted. I'm starting as a 2nd year student, as I have completed my Masters at the same school, and they transfer 30 credits, which is the entire 1st year into the doctoral program.

And yes, of course my program requires a practicum. I have completed the clinical one already in my Masters program, and I will be doing an assessment practicum in this program. I should have specified that I was talking about working primarily during my first year. The practicum starts in the 2nd year.

 

[Ollie123]

Yes, I am formally admitted. I'm starting as a 2nd year student, as I have completed my Masters at the same school, and they transfer 30 credits, which is the entire 1st year into the doctoral program.

And yes, of course my program requires a practicum. I have completed the clinical one already in my Masters program, and I will be doing an assessment practicum in this program. I should have specified that I was talking about working primarily during my first year. The practicum starts in the 2nd year.

So you really just have classes the first year? Also - you said "a" practicum...is there really only one assessment practicum and one clinical one required? How many hours per week are they?

I'm sorry, I'm not trying to badger you about this I'm just trying to understand what's going. From everything you're describing the program sounds VASTLY different from any other program I've heard of. I've never heard of a school having a full year of just coursework, no in-house clinic caseload, and now it sounds like just one clinical and one assessment practicum?

It definitely sounds like your program is a bit of an anomaly in terms of workload, so that might be why you got the reaction you did when asking about people working.

 

[JockNerd]

I'm sorry, I'm not trying to badger you about this I'm just trying to understand what's going. From everything you're describing the program sounds VASTLY different from any other program I've heard of. I've never heard of a school having a full year of just coursework, no in-house clinic caseload, and now it sounds like just one clinical and one assessment practicum?

My program's standard first-year is 4/4 courses, no clinical caseload, no assessment, heavy on the research methodology. But I attend a very different sort of program (research-focused PhD).

 

[Ollie123]

My program's standard first-year is 4/4 courses, no clinical caseload, no assessment, heavy on the research methodology. But I attend a very different sort of program (research-focused PhD).

Well yes, but I assume you're in the lab a ton and/or possibly teaching so its not like classes are the only obligation....right?

I was just listing those things because it didn't sound like it was a research-oriented program - obviously the balance is different in where the time goes depending on the program, I'd just never heard of ANY program that had a year where classes were the only obligation.

 

[JockNerd]

Well yes, but I assume you're in the lab a ton and/or possibly teaching so its not like classes are the only obligation....right?

I was just listing those things because it didn't sound like it was a research-oriented program - obviously the balance is different in where the time goes depending on the program, I'd just never heard of ANY program that had a year where classes were the only obligation.

Oh, yeah. In the lab lots. I see what you mean; I don't think I grokked it at the time.

Though I only have to teach once, in third year. 😀

 

[PsyCoCo]

I am curious to how and why you dont know this if you're in a grad program. I cant imagine how this issue didn't get raised in conversations with your research mentors, professors, or LOR writers when discussing grad school, or during your research for choosing schools. Did you only apply to one school and not even look at programs?
....etc. etc......
Actually, most Ph.D programs are funded and being a private school has nothing to do with the amount of support the program offers. Most, but certainly not all Ph.D programs are fully or partially funded. Most Psy.Ds are not funded at all and require significant amounts of student loans.

I was only interested in PsyD programs, for reasons I went into in depth in another thread. So that answers your question. And no; no one that wrote my LoR, not the Dean, nor the Financial Aid people said a word about stipends or tuition remission.

Incidentally, as I was typing this, my Advisor called. I asked her why our school has no stipends. She told me that stipends will be available when the school is APA accredited (also discussed in depth in another thread). My school is a new location. (ALL grad schools were new and unaccredited by the APA at one time.)

 

[erg923]

So this program will be offering support to its students when they get APA accreditation? I am not sure why this would matter though. Its not like they get more money if they're accredited. Stipends mainly come from grant money that your department is pulling in. Little research money general equals no support. But, if they are providing remissions and support to students, this is great, and this is they way it should be. The expected earning potential in this field does not justify 150k debts. Baylor, Rutgers, and a few other university based PsyDs are the only ones I know of that can afford this. Professional schools generally can not.

(ALL grad schools were new and unaccredited by the APA at one time.)

Although this is kinda true, its not really. 20 programs were accredited in 1948, the first year of accreditations. Prior to this clinical psychology did not really exist in the formal sense. And they were not new programs, they were already well established universities with highly respected psychology departments (Minnesota, Indiana, Iowa, etc).

 

[PsyCoCo]

.....But, if they are providing remissions and support to students, this is great, and this is they way it should be. The expected earning potential in this field does not justify 150k debts. Baylor, Rutgers, and a few other university based PsyDs are the only ones I know of that can afford this. Professional schools generally can not.
.....

This is your opinion, it is not fact. I am attending a professional school. You don't have to like them. I made my choice based on careful research into my options. I asked a simple question about stipends, yet you have twice responded incredulously as if I am some sort of ignorant ***** who should have already known the answers. Nice. Is that how you plan to treat your future clients and patients?
I hope you can forgive me, I left my crystal ball at home today and had to *gasp* ask my fellow students a question. Dear god, save us all.

 

[erg923]

Take it easy pal. I was simply stating that from an economic perspective, inuring alot of debt without the salary to support that debt doesn't make much sense. This was not directed at you, or your program. And by the way, this is not a therapy room, its a professional forum where people will indeed voice their opinions.

 

[PsyCoCo]

Take it easy pal. I was simply stating that from an economic perspective, inuring alot of debt without the salary to support that debt doesn't make much sense. This was not directed at you, or your program. And by the way, this is not a therapy room, its a professional forum where people will indeed voice their opinions.

I am not your "pal." Back off.

When you make statements as if they are facts, back them up with stats.

If you have an opinion, state it is your opinion. Is that so hard to do?

I know this isn't a therapy forum- but you DO realize that you can be professional AND curteous at the same time, right?
Or are you just one of those Internet Tough Guys who use anonymity to be an online bully?

I suspect the latter.

 

[erg923]

ok pal.

 

[PinkSoil]

The pretentious, arrogant attitudes on this board, stemming from one simple question, never cease to amaze me...

Anyway, yeah... my program looks like this:

Year I and II include the clinical practicum and internship. Since I have completed my clinical practicum and internship in my Masters program, I skip out on that and take coursework for my first year, which is technically year II of the program.

Year III is three semesters of assessment practicum as well as coursework.

Year IV is more assessment practicum with coursework.

Year V is the comprehensive exam, clinical competency exam, one required course, and then electives (either assessment or marriage and family therapy-- if you choose all elective in one area, then you receive a concentration in that area).

Year VI is internship.

 

[WaitingKills]

The pretentious, arrogant attitudes on this board, stemming from one simple question, never cease to amaze me...

Anyway, yeah... my program looks like this:

Year I and II include the clinical practicum and internship. Since I have completed my clinical practicum and internship in my Masters program, I skip out on that and take coursework for my first year, which is technically year II of the program.

Year III is three semesters of assessment practicum as well as coursework.

Year IV is more assessment practicum with coursework.

Year V is the comprehensive exam, clinical competency exam, one required course, and then electives (either assessment or marriage and family therapy-- if you choose all elective in one area, then you receive a concentration in that area).

Year VI is internship.

Hey PinkSoil.

I did work during my Master's degree. It was an intensive program with courses, prac's and research during the whole program.

I managed to work as a TA for about 8-10 hours a week as well as do contract work with Child Safety on the weekends. This job was flexible and I did it when I had time. I was also lucky in that 2 of my practicum placements were paid.

I am starting a Ph.D program in Canada in September. I had to sign papers saying that I would not work outside of my TAship (which is to be no more than 10 hours). Apparently there is something in the CPA stating that grad students in clinical psych should not work more than 10 hours during the school year, though you can work more during the summer months. I am definitely hoping there is a way around this as my TAship does not pay very well at all.

Soooo... I think most people work to some degree or another, but I think overall most of us are very limited in the hours we put in.

 

[shock-me-sane]

question...At what point will you know if your school explicitly does not allow working outside of the program? Everything I have signed thus far (tuition remission, stipend, etc) hasn't said anything about it. I was hoping to be able to pick up a shift or two each month in the hospital after I get settled into the program.

I imagine that it may be one of those don't ask, don't tell situations?

 

[JockNerd]

I imagine that it may be one of those don't ask, don't tell situations?

I wouldn't do that, personally. Especially if you're in a visible position at the hospital. Could just lead to weird questions if/when someone on faculty comes in. I'd just ask to be clear; one or two shifts could be fine.

Actually I just found out someone in my program works in retail. I was amazed.

 

[gradpsy]

I would like to hear a little more about the politics of working during graduate school... but specifically, and maybe more controversially (O_O), in fully funded programs and for someone on a fellowship. Clearly many people argue that there simply is not enough time... but if hypothetically one felt they had the time to work a few hours a week while still being successful in classes and productive in their research work (and had reasons for not wanting to take out loans to make ends meet), and could find no provisions in their fellowship that say they cannot work (i.e., only requirements are to take 3 credits more of classes than other students on TAs/RAs/DAs), nor in their program's guidelines (I can copy a general statement regarding financial support if people want to see the fine print).... How would one delicately find out if there are specific regulations against it?

There is very much a sense that it is frowned upon (and I understand why this may be so personally), but how would people handle this matter if they felt they could and wanted to work (a few hours a week, for whatever financial reasons)? ..

 

[twilson]

I would like to hear a little more about the politics of working during graduate school... but specifically, and maybe more controversially (O_O), in fully funded programs and for someone on a fellowship. Clearly many people argue that there simply is not enough time... but if hypothetically one felt they had the time to work a few hours a week while still being successful in classes and productive in their research work (and had reasons for not wanting to take out loans to make ends meet), and could find no provisions in their fellowship that say they cannot work (i.e., only requirements are to take 3 credits more of classes than other students on TAs/RAs/DAs), nor in their program's guidelines (I can copy a general statement regarding financial support if people want to see the fine print).... How would one delicately find out if there are specific regulations against it?

There is very much a sense that it is frowned upon (and I understand why this may be so personally), but how would people handle this matter if they felt they could and wanted to work (a few hours a week, for whatever financial reasons)?

I am not allowed to receive any outside funding without notifying my fellowship organization. I can not have outside work and if I want to do any kind of outside work it has to be related to my academic work and be approved by my department and my fellowship organization or I can be prosecuted for fraud. They are quite serious stringent on this. I am assuming most departments and fellowship stipulations are similar.

 

[gradpsy]

I am not allowed to receive any outside funding without notifying my fellowship organization. I can not have outside work and if I want to do any kind of outside work it has to be related to my academic work and be approved by my department and my fellowship organization or I can be prosecuted for fraud. They are quite serious stringent on this. I am assuming most departments and fellowship stipulations are similar.

Yes, I am aware of one fellowship provided by the university which explicitly states that it is not compatible with full time work on or off campus and that part time work (10 hours a week max) requires approval. However, this is only stated very specifically for one of the fellowships provided by the university and not for the rest.

Certainly if there were any official regulations against it, both in terms of the fellowship or the program guidelines, I would not even consider it. My main concern is, if 'technically' there were nothing prohibiting it, about the politics (i.e., implicit disapproval of what some people may consider 'moonlighting') behind it. How have people navigated that if they choose to work (and are not breaking any regulations in funded programs)?

 

[gradpsy]

I work 2 days a week (and more during summer and winter break) at a psychiatric hospital doing intakes. It is great having extra money but I wouldn't recommend doing it unless you really need to.

Yes, definitely understood. This is something that ideally would be very easy work (pretty few part time hours), that would go towards making ends meet/having a little extra money (again, on the premise that it would not have a detrimental effect on course work or research productivity).

 

[berlin81]

Yeah, this is a difficult issue since I think it depends on your cost of living and where you are located.

I am in process of trying to get into a doctorate program in Chicago. So, if I am able to work, I would in a heart-beat since the cost of living is a lot more than most places. Plus, it depends on what you are willing to do. If you're living in a big city and in a doctorate program, your chances of finding a simple part time job might be better, such as washing dishes or being a cashier at some retail shop.

Personally, I would not care if I spend my weekends ringing up customers in a retail shop and in a doctorate program during the week. I have had a full-time job as a mental health professional in the past and I'm certain that doing such as job and going to school at the same time would drive me bonkers.

So, if you are willing and able, just grab a simple part-time job so you have some money coming in. Plus, getting a job that is not mental health oriented might help with getting your mind off exams, papers, and all that other stuff. We all need a break sometimes.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

So, if you are willing and able, just grab a simple part-time job so you have some money coming in. Plus, getting a job that is not mental health oriented might help with getting your mind off exams, papers, and all that other stuff. We all need a break sometimes.

Friends of mine got creative with some part-time work. The first taught 2-3 yoga classes a week at her gym. The second was a certified personal trainer so she had a couple of steady customers she would see really early in the morning. The last taught horseback riding a handful of hours a week. Obviously none of them could support themselves with just that income, but it got them away from psychology and it kept them active.

 

[Student4Life0]

Friends of mine got creative with some part-time work. The first taught 2-3 yoga classes a week at her gym. The second was a certified personal trainer so she had a couple of steady customers she would see really early in the morning. The last taught horseback riding a handful of hours a week. Obviously none of them could support themselves with just that income, but it got them away from psychology and it kept them active.

Those are all pretty interesting ideas. I worked as a waitress a few days per week for the first year of my masters program. I eventually had to quit that and am now not working for the last semester of my program (living on loans sucks!). However, I do plan on trying to find any kind of part time employment to get me through doctoral study. It's good to know that other people have been able to do it.

 

[coltsfan89]

Some PhD students I know babysit for faculty on the weekends or weeknights

 

[Existenz]

This is your opinion, it is not fact. I am attending a professional school. You don't have to like them. I made my choice based on careful research into my options. I asked a simple question about stipends, yet you have twice responded incredulously as if I am some sort of ignorant ***** who should have already known the answers. Nice. Is that how you plan to treat your future clients and patients?
I hope you can forgive me, I left my crystal ball at home today and had to *gasp* ask my fellow students a question. Dear god, save us all.

I think i've said it thrice, and once even in a private message to this guy, he has a lot of trolly type of posts but just ignore erg; obviously the missus isn't keeping him entertained enough so he posts bad stuff for kicks

 

[Ollie123]

Did someone named erg steal your lunch money when you were a kid or something?

I generally find him rather innocuous and no more harsh (frequently less harsh) than many of the posters here, including myself. I just find your focus on him to the point that you call him out specifically in multiple different threads...baffling.

 

[psich]

Yeah, the responses seemed awfully defensive...

 

[erg923]

The kids I beat up for lunch money in grade school are still scared of me😀