Topic 3: Jobs in Counseling – The Search and Application Process {by 2/9}
Based on the readings and assignment due this week consider the following discussion points: *(1) Discuss your thoughts and feelings about your recent job search experience. For example, did you learn anything? Do you feel more (or less) optimistic about obtaining a job upon graduation? (2) What are some potential anxieties and/or concerns you have about interviewing for a job in the mental health field upon graduation? (3) Although your potential employer may want to know certain qualities about you, what organizational qualities are important to you?
Your original post should be posted by the beginning of class 2/9. Post your two replies no later than 2/11. *Please remember to click the “reply” button when posting a reply. This makes it easier for the reader to follow the blog postings.
*Yes, the first discussion point is very similar to your second reflection question for your assignment. Thus, you can use the answer for your assignment (or a part of it) for the blog. The rationale is that this will give a chance for your peers to read a few responses and potentially provide some helpful insight with their replies. This will also help with “priming” for in class participation
Dr. Adam M Volungis 
Feb 03, 2023 @ 16:27:41
1. During my search for jobs with this assignment, I felt that there was a lot out there; more than I initially thought there would be. I also noticed how many companies would be handing out those bonuses for signing on with them. It really shows how needed this field is and how much they need clinicians. It also made me feel a bit more anxious because I have a hard time thinking about applying for jobs when I have not done my oral exam yet. However, I know this process will help me when my oral exam is over and I am able to focus more.
2. When thinking about interviews for jobs, I 100% get nervous and anxious. I honestly feel pretty confident about my interviewing capabilities. I feel that I have practiced a lot for other jobs in my life as well as the internship. However, when it comes to certain questions that they might ask, I am nervous that they will be different and maybe like a ‘test’ to see if I know my stuff. I will need to look up common interview questions for this field beforehand.
3. When deciding on an organization to work for, I am going to look for a company that seems to have a comfortable environment. The relationship that the other clinicians and staff has will say a lot about the company. There are sites out there that will show employees’ ratings of the company so I will look into that as well when I apply. From what we have talked about and from what I have heard, Spectrum is one of the companies that clearly has a high burnout rate (higher than usual) and clearly expects too much of their clinicians. That is an example of what I do NOT want! This can be a difficult job and I don’t want to make it more difficult than it has to be with working for a company that clearly does not care about you.
Feb 06, 2023 @ 12:15:49
Hi Jenn,
I’ve had the same feeling about looking at jobs before the oral exam. For me it feels like with the oral exam still on the table it’s hard to look at anything past that! But I completely agree that afterwards this process will have helped us so much for when it is time for us to actually start applying!
It’s also really good to hear that you feel confident in your interviewing capabilities! I thought your point about looking up common interview questions for this field beforehand will be super helpful, and I’ll definitely do the same now!
Feb 06, 2023 @ 16:48:01
Jenn,
I had a similar experience with my job search. There seems to be so many positions available and most seem to have good benefits. I also noticed that many have a sign-on bonus which seems to be more commonplace lately. A lot of places are in need of help, which is good for those of us looking to start work right away. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on the assignment!
Feb 06, 2023 @ 09:30:23
1. The assignment was helpful because I’ve been in the process of looking at different positions and applying to facilities within the last few weeks. I feel optimistic because many of the jobs are in line with I had expected. I’ve also been able to set up interviews at a few facilities and I feel good about those opportunities so far. I’m still feeling nervous about making the right decision though, because there’s a variety of aspects to consider between each job including salary, commute, compensation and benefits. Overall though, the assignment was very helpful and provided good insight.
2. My biggest anxiety about job applications is my ability to actually do the job. I’ve had a generally poor experience at my internship and I feel very unprepared. When looking at the job postings and qualifications, I feel unprepared and worried that I won’t be up to standard. However, I’m trying to remain optimistic and remind myself that I’m not the only one experiencing these feelings. It seems like many people don’t feel prepared by their internship so I’m hoping to get hired at a facility that’s willing to teach me and supplement my experiences so far.
3. One organizational quality I find to be important is good supervision and team cohesion. I’ve packed those aspects in my internship and I think it’s really affected my ability to learn. These next two years are also very important because they’ll lead to licensure so it’s important to me to have a supervisor that supports me and that path. I’d also like to work under someone that practices CBT since that’s what we’ve become so accustomed to. I think it would be helpful to stay on the same track and continue to develop those skills. It’s also important to me to work in a facility that is fairly close to my home because I’ve realized that long commutes really effect my work-life balance. I’ve done long commutes before and it negatively impacted my view of the facility and my job so I’ve only been applying to places within a certain distance from my home.
Feb 06, 2023 @ 12:20:41
Hi Frayah,
It’s great to hear that many of the jobs you have been looking into have aligned with your expectations, and that you’ve felt good about the opportunities you’ve found so far! I’m sorry to hear that your internship experience hasn’t been the best, but it is really assuring to know that there are better opportunities available to you after graduation so that you can find the best fit for you, both population and agency-wise!
Feb 06, 2023 @ 16:09:26
Hi Frayah,
You mention a great point about Supervision when looking for a place to work at! along with team cohesion, supervision is essential before we are licensed. Some businesses will make you pay for a supervisor and if it is included in the job, that is a significant plus! I also wanted to say that I am so sorry your internship experience has been so poor. I hope that your job choice will be a much better option and that you’ll learn a lot!
Feb 08, 2023 @ 20:48:42
Hi Frayah,
You make such a great point about considering whether or not the people we work under (really) practice CBT. My experience so far is that almost every person who I’ve been able to work under/shadow says they use CBT. However, I’ve noticed what that looks like in practice can vary a lot from person to person. I think a lot of clinicians are familiar with the concepts of CBT, but not many practice CBT to the full extent that we have been trained in. I’ve even experienced push-back about CBT in some group supervision settings, so finding a job where I can work under someone using CBT is a factor I hadn’t considered, but will definitely be keeping in mind now.
Feb 09, 2023 @ 16:56:07
Hi Frayah,
Yes, I agree that there is a lot more out there than I originally thought. I am so sad and sorry to hear that you aren’t loving your internship placement! You are so smart and beyond capable, so I know that you are headed for great things. Wherever we end up, we will be trained and gain the specific knowledge that we need to be successful in that agency. Reach out if there is anything I can do to help!
Feb 06, 2023 @ 12:08:03
1) While completing this job search experience, I felt more optimistic about the pay for post graduate positions. I think prior to completing this job search I didn’t really have any reference for what the pay might look like, but felt reassured that I will be starting at a pretty decent pay after graduating. Prior to completing this job search I also assumed that the average starting pay for an entry level therapist would be much less since I had always heard from people that the job is often one that is significantly underpaid, but overall the search helped me feel more optimistic about this. Aside from this, following this job search I also felt more optimistic regarding the amount of jobs that are available in the field, which made me more confident in my ability to find one quickly after graduation so that I can support myself. I’m hoping to move out after graduation so the idea that it is likely that I will be able to find a job soon in order to work toward this goal was very reassuring. At this same time, I had mixed feelings, though, because I began to have doubts that I would be able to get a job as easily as I may hope due to most jobs I found preferring licensure over pre-licensed or licensed-eligible therapists. This is completely understandable since most places may not want to worry about having to essentially train new therapists, but it did make me feel a little less optimistic about obtaining a job soon after graduation due to this.
2) Surprisingly I feel like I don’t have too many anxieties and/or concerns about interviewing for a job in the mental health field upon graduation. This is surprising especially considering I have anxieties/concerns about almost everything else. However, I feel pretty confident in my ability to interview for a job in this field and feel pretty well equipped with the knowledge I’ve learned in both the program and in my internship. I think if anything the only concern I may have is if an outpatient agency isn’t fond of my only one-on-one sessions being at most 30 minute sessions in the hospital setting. However, I feel like these short sessions have helped me to learn how to effectively problem-solve and identify what interventions are the best fit for patients quickly, and to set goals quickly with my patients which will hopefully make it easier to do so in a long-term therapy setting.
3) Some organizational qualities that are important to me includes a collaborative/positive environment among staff/clinicians and supportive supervisors. I feel like I’ve had a really good experience at Butler with these qualities and feel really supported by everyone on the unit. I know in an outpatient setting it may not involve quite as much collaboration and discussion as the hospital setting, but hope to find a nice balance in that setting as well with these things. Aside from this, I also think it would be helpful to have someone at the agency or a supervisor who practices CBT so that I can gain some specific supervision/guidance surrounding this, since I feel like currently at my internship I mainly use CBT myself, but integrate a lot of different theoretical approaches as this is what the partial program does. Therefore I would like to have someone I can talk to who uses the same theoretical approach to learn more about the actual clinical application of this after graduation.
Feb 06, 2023 @ 16:51:56
Valerie,
It’s great to hear that you’ve had a good experience with supervision! I think that quality supervision can make or break your experience with internship and having that support is so important. I also agree that having a supervisor versed in CBT is an important trait. I hope that we are able to land in a facility that has both of those factors!
Feb 07, 2023 @ 14:06:10
Val,
First, I relate so much to having anxieties/worries about pretty much everything else! How lovely. But I found it interesting reading your thoughts about whether your experience will be “enough” for outpatient clinics that you apply to, because I feel very similar, where I don’t know if a more intense program like PHP or IOP would think my experience has prepared me enough to be in those settings. I feel like at the outpatient clinic I’m at, it’s so small that everyone is constantly talking to one another and getting feedback – supervisors, clinicians, and interns alike. So I’m antsy about moving into a new setting where it may not be like that. I know I’ve used mostly CBT as well, but my supervisor is a social worker and has introduced some other modalities, which I’ve appreciated, too. I’m curious how different the next supervisor/me relationship will be and how having an LMHC or CBT person might affect things. Interesting!
Feb 08, 2023 @ 20:54:33
Hi Valarie,
I feel similarly about my anxieties in finding a job after graduation. As someone who does tend to get anxious when thinking about and planning for the future, I’ve felt surprisingly calm. I think that our feelings of preparedness speak highly to this program and the opportunities we’ve been given in our internship experience. I love that way you were able to re-frame what could be seen as a gap in experience as a strength. I think that any job you are interviewing for will appreciate that response and feel reassured that you have the necessary skills. I’m excited to hear more about how your job search goes!
Feb 09, 2023 @ 16:58:26
Hi Valerie,
I am also feeling pretty positive about my interview capabilities. I think that we have a really great foundation for what comes next. I’ve also come to realize that Assumption has some really great connections with agencies in the city, which is helpful.
Feb 06, 2023 @ 21:26:21
(1) This job search experience has been really helpful for me to understand what the field looks like right now. Having both a sister and brother-in-law currently in this field, as well as family involved in the hiring of many mental health professionals, I hear a lot about what it is like to work as a mental health professional right now. However, the things people share about work and pay in the mental health field aren’t always the most encouraging. This job search exercise helped me to realize just how many jobs are available right now. Seeing the high level of need makes me feel optimistic about my ability to find a job after graduation. This search also helped me to set realistic expectations about the average pay for jobs that might be available. As I’ve discussed previously, I have some concerns about moving from my current salary to a master’s level position that may offer less pay. Considering that, I have been able to think about the different option I may have upon graduation: remaining at my current job at 75% hours and slowly building clinical hours, splitting my time 50/50 between research work and clinical work, or spending two years working in a clinical setting and potentially taking a pay cut, but knowing that it will be a much shorter time before I can apply for a higher paying position. I also learned that in the jobs that are available right now there are a wide range of populations I could work with and settings I could work in. On one hand, this feels exciting that there are such a wide range of possibilities. However, this also made me realize that it will likely be important to put serious thought into which settings and which populations would be the most ideal/least ideal for me to help narrow down my job search.
(2)I feel lucky to have had a lot of training and classes on interviewing, resumes, cover letters, networking, etc. at my undergraduate college that placed a heavy emphasis on employment. I have found through previous interviewing experiences that my genuine passion for this field can go a long way in an interview. However, I do think that a master’s level position may involve additional aspects of an interview process I haven’t experienced yet. I found the chapter we read for this week to be really helpful and informative. For example, tables 5.6 and 5.7 were very useful in understanding what types of questions we might be asked for these specific positions, and what types of questions we should be asking. One aspect of interviewing for jobs that I worry about is balancing trying to portray myself as a good fit for the position, while also being honest with my assessment of whether or not the job feels like a good fit for me. I feel thankful that I am in a position right now where I have full time employment, and therefore can be a bit pickier with jobs while I am in the interview process.
(3) I think that the most important quality for me to look for from an organization is the population. I know that young adults are my preferred population, but would take a position working with any adults. I would avoid applying for positions that serve primarily children. I also have some preferences about the setting I would be working in. In-home therapy is something I don’t feel would be a good fit for me. I have heard concerns about the various challenges in-home therapy involves, and worry I wouldn’t feel fully supported in those positions so early in my career. My current internship has set the bar for my expectations very high (likely too high). Currently, I have an amazing amount of support and supervision at all times. At any time, there are other counselors available for me to talk to. Everyone in my office encourages self-care and breaks throughout my day, and offers thoughtful feedback. There is such a strong sense of community, compassion, and a desire to do good work for our clients in the office. Seeing how much the full time staff truly enjoy their jobs, and hearing how easily they can prioritize their clients treatment makes me realize how much of a difference a supportive working environment can make not only for the employees, but also for the individuals being served. Although it is unlikely I will find such a great experience pre-licensure, it does help me to know that I don’t have to completely settle for a poor working environment.
Feb 07, 2023 @ 14:11:50
Christina,
I love the point you made about interviewing: It’s not just coming off as a good fit for the company but figuring out if the company is a good fit for me! That’s the part that gets me nervous – I don’t want to feel so antsy about getting a job that it overpowers discriminating if that job is the right one for me. Then I also worry maybe I will be too picky simply because of what we’ve heard about how hard/draining/low pay these jobs can be. I said it before but having such a great internship site that I feel was like my optimal fit makes me almost more nervous about enjoying a future position as much as where I’m at now. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Feb 07, 2023 @ 19:36:34
Christina,
I relate to the point you made about narrowing down your ideas for what you want to do to help you complete applications. I recently interviewed for two different positions within the same organization and they asked me the hard question of which one I preferred, and truthfully, I don’t know. It seems really daunting to make a decision about something like this because it feels like such a “big” decision. I’m hoping that as we wrap up this program, I will have a better idea of what I want to be doing, and I hope that you do too! As someone who currently does in-home therapy work for my internship, I totally understand the concerns you have. Being in such an intimate environment with families can be nerve-wracking. Plus, not being in a clinic where other people are around can make it feel that much more intense, which can be difficult at times. I wish you luck with your job search and finding what is best fit for you!
Feb 11, 2023 @ 10:47:54
Hi Christina,
I am so glad you have found such a great work environment for your internship; I think it is a great point to think about it. I wonder what questions you can ask during the interview about the work environment and diversity in my case. Making sure that the agency has a policy work environment, self-care, and inclusion/diversity is so important because this makes you stay or leave. I think is tricky when they say yes, but then you find yourself experiencing that they don’t follow through with their philosophy/principles. I wonder how much you can know ahead of time and what questions you may ask during the interview.
Feb 06, 2023 @ 21:39:11
1. When completing the job search, I discovered that there are a lot of jobs that will hire upon graduation with just a Master’s degree. This was somewhat surprising to me, however not entirely as many of them help you work towards licensure. This aspect makes me more optimistic about obtaining a job upon graduation, as it helps me realize there are more opportunities without a license than I originally believed. Similarly, there’s no denying that a majority of the salaries were higher than I expected. When entering the field, I didn’t expect a job to offer more than roughly $45,000; so, the salaries that I came across were reassuring. While most of us are obviously not in this field for the money, it is nice to see that the field isn’t as under-appreciated (or underpaid) as most would think.
2. Some anxieties/concerns that I have about interviewing for a job in the mental health field is (honestly) being unqualified. While there are jobs that will hire with only the master’s degree, I still feel slight concern of not being offered a job based on lacking a license. I do feel highly confident in my interviewing capabilities, but the anxiety that comes along with interviewing for a position is completely natural.
3. When job searching, organizational qualities such as employee recognition, diversity, and inclusion are highly important to me. Similarly, it is important for me to find a work environment that cultivates respect and teamwork amongst their employees. This also comes down to not treating employees and clients like another statistic.
Feb 09, 2023 @ 16:51:34
Hello Francesca
I also found a lot of job postings that had language about being welcoming to recent MA graduates or liscense eligable folks which was really encouraging. Also a lot of postings that specifically outlined what they pay for the role pre and post liscense so it was helpful to see the bump. Also agree overall the average income estimate was higher than I was prepared for – I didnt see many at all below 40k and most I would say were about 50k give or take. I worry too about being unqualified – especially considering roles outside of those which are similar to what I have been doing in internship.
Feb 09, 2023 @ 18:05:37
Hello Francesca,
I enjoyed reading your post. I agree with you about the salaries, I did expect lower salaries but after looking, I found that there are jobs that pay over the average salaries which is good.
Also, I agree about the organizational qualities. It is important to have diversity and inclusion among the employees because the environment is important to mitigate burnout and create room for growth.
Feb 07, 2023 @ 13:53:03
1.) In terms of the job search, I’ve found that the more I look, the less anxious I feel about being able to get a job. There seem to be plenty of postings and new ones keep popping up. I believe it was Lindsay last class who said she would be “shopping” for the position she wants and that is sort of where I am at, too: my anxiety or nervousness is now more focused on getting the position I want and enjoying the position I take, versus just scrambling to find whatever will have me. However, there is still some anxiety about finding a place that’ll provide the right things in terms of hours/supervision and that will take a pre-licensed clinician. I know we also touched on salaries a bit last class, as well, but for me, I sort of expected the salaries not to be very high at first, especially in agency settings, and also after spending the past several months unable to work full time like I did before, I’m just in the mindset of being ready to make money again. Obviously salary will be considered when thinking of which place to go to, but I’m just content to be getting back to work!
2.) Interviewing is always anxiety-provoking to me, even if I feel pretty confident about the interview. I need to start applying and setting interviews up, but one of my main concerns is the idea that they might ask about experience beyond my internship experience. While I’ve been one-on-one treating clients since practicum started in May, this was a career change for me and I don’t have other clinical experience to go off of. I’m also a bit anxious about whether or not places with more acute clients (i.e. settings that deal more with trauma or residential programs etc.) will be willing to take someone who worked in a less acute, outpatient setting. Other than that, I do feel like I know my stuff and will present well.
3.) To me, an agency that values work-home balance and does not put unrealistic expectations on their clients in terms of caseload is very important. It doesn’t make sense to me to work in the mental health field where we constantly warn people about burnout, to then take a job at an agency that does not really care if they’re burning out their own clinicians. Additionally, having a good work environment/culture is super important – not only do I want a good relationship with my supervisor and a collaborative approach with my colleagues, but I would like to find a job where I actually enjoy going into work each day.
Feb 07, 2023 @ 19:29:56
Katie,
I was not really sure what to expect when thinking about salaries as a pre-licensed clinician. And similarly, since I am not currently working full-time and also working in a very entry-level position, I am mostly just excited and content with being paid a liveable wage (at least I think so). I also relate to your worries about looking for jobs and feeling unqualified. However, I feel like everyone has to start somewhere and there will definitely be organizations out there to take you on and help you grow! Speaking to your point about potential agencies, I think that finding a place with a good work/life balance is so important. Plus, being able to go to work and feel excited or happy about being there is something that is important to me as well. I have worked in retail and food service before and I never want to dread going to work again, like I did in those positions.
Feb 07, 2023 @ 19:24:04
1. During the job search assignment, I found that there are many jobs out there for individuals who have just graduated from a master’s program. I kind of knew this prior to the assignment as I have been casually browsing through job posting websites. Prior to this assignment, I had not thought much about what positions were out there for licensed clinicians. Since this is not on my current radar, I was not really thinking about it. However, I noticed that there is a large pay range for licensed clinicians, which I imagine has a lot to do with the length of experience.
2. At this point in my life, I feel like I have done many interviews for a variety of things, like jobs and internships. I don’t feel as anxious as I used to and I try my best not to work myself up over it. I have confidence in my interviewing abilities. I actually had an interview today for a potential job, and while I feel like it might have been more lowkey because it was with the same organization I am interning at, I still feel good about going through this process. I think a lot of people have been making the point that right now, it’s not something I’m focusing too much on because I have my oral exam coming up. However, once that is over, I will be shifting much of my energy to getting job applications submitted and getting started on the interviewing process. I guess overall, right now, I am not feeling too anxious about the interview process.
3. One of the main things that I am looking for in an organization and employer is support and sense of community/belonging. Currently, with my internship, many of the clinicians work remotely and I don’t see many people when I am in the office other than my supervisor and another intern. While both of them are great company and are helpful for bouncing ideas off of and talking with for support, I do wish there were more people in the office during the day. I have also had a relatively positive experience with supervision throughout my internship (practicum not so much), but I would like to continue receiving this support when I begin working somewhere. I’m not entirely sure what the supervision process is like once you are a clinician at most places, so this is something that I will be asking about when I am interviewing or applying for jobs. During the interview I had today, the interviewers emphasized their supervision process, and how even if your supervisor is not available, you can always ask questions and talk to those who have their doors open. This is the type of support I am looking for in an organization.
Feb 09, 2023 @ 16:58:43
Hey Kaitlyn,
Sense of community and belonging is so important in job satisfaction totally agree. We are talking about spending 8+ hours a day in an environment and as part of a team – it is so important to be as comfortable and happy as is possible at the workplace. At Spectrum where I do my internship – there is an open door policy like you are mentioning so I know there is always someone to help and that makes all the difference in the world in terms of my level of confidence. I agree its important to get a feel for the culture.
Feb 11, 2023 @ 14:57:00
Hi Kaitlyn,
I think support and a sense of community are great qualities to look for in a potential employer. Getting to connect with others and feel comfortable doing so is extremely helpful, especially for us new clinicians. I’m glad you have some of that at your internship placement and I hope you find it at your next job!
Feb 09, 2023 @ 08:22:05
I think that this exercise has been more helpful than I thought that it would. It’s clear from my search that you can make a solid living in this field – maybe not at first – but certainly once you are licensed there appear to be a variety of positions that pay very well in administration and in clinical practice. Many of the salary estimates for non-licensed clinicians were not as low as I was expecting – in my search it seems like the low end is 42-45k annually or 22-24 per hour – however, I would say most of what I saw was at least 48-53k for non-licensed folks, with a lot above 50k.
I think I learned also what red flags to look for- the “sign on bonus” as we talked about in class, I also saw a lot of mention of retention bonus, and also a fair amount of listings with no salary information listed. I also started to get a feeling for the types of pre-licensure jobs that pay more than some others. I feel like I am making this post all about money – but I think its important to know that there are tons of jobs above 50k and so I think the lesson I took away was just to “shop around” for as long as it takes – not just settle for the first opportunity that makes an offer. My thinking is I know for 2 years while logging hours I am going to be in a situation less than my ideal – and for that reason compensation and associated quality of life feels very important during that time.
Interviewing is something that gives me a lot of anxiety – only if I am interviewing for a position outside of substance use. My time at Spectrum for internship has made me super comfortable in that area- at least in understanding terminology etc. Reading the job descriptions for these roles I felt confident that I could do well in interview- however when I read descriptions for positions as a therapist outside of substance use, I worry a lot about interviewing. Knowing appropriate interventions, terminology, even the specific acronyms etc. that each clinical position may use. Because I have made a career change I am also a little anxious about filling a resume – My work history is mostly in Marketing and in Hospitality- which is something I am a little worried about in interview as well. Explaining my reasons for making these changes is also something I am anxious about in an interview.
In an organization pre-licensure I am of course focused on them being able to provide enough LMHC supervision hours – also looking for a more manageable caseload. I know at Spectrum the norm is having 80+ clients per clinician PLUS groups, I think with that much of a caseload I would just be treading water and doing documentation more than actually building my clinical skills. I think this period of learning will be more useful if I am able to really concentrate on a smaller caseload. I have found myself loving the idea of being in a hospital setting. I also want an organization with good benefits, I know as I get a bit older that will become more of a focus.
Feb 11, 2023 @ 10:55:47
Hi Lex,
You make a great point about substance use and feeling comfortable working with this population because this is what you have been doing for almost a year. I have practiced a lot of harm reduction and motivational interviewing at Spectrum. I share your feelings too. However, most Spectrum patients have co-occurrence disorders, and you find yourself also doing CBT for depression, anxiety, panic attacks, and even PSTD. The majority of these patients maladaptively cope with substance use. Hence, we can also implement CBT for depression, anxiety, panic attacks, and PTSD with other population that does not present SUD. 😉
Feb 09, 2023 @ 09:38:28
1. Some things I ‘ve reaffirmed as we discussed in class is that a starting salary for an unlicensed clinician is about 50k. Also, lot of the job listings I came across didn’t include an exact starting salary for an unlicensed clinician and you really had to look for it, whereas others were clear. I do feel more optimistic, or at least getting through the next two years of practice, and then finally being able to get my license and get a better salary.
2. Definitely I have some anxiety about interviewing, and maybe this is part of the reason why I chose to stay with my internship placement is so I don’t have to go through the painful process of applying and the anxiety that comes with interviewing for a job. Though I am sure I will look for other positions once I get my license and hopefully will feel better and confident once I have a license and have practiced for 2 years.
3. Organizational qualities I look for are ones that understand that work is not the most important thing in my life, value me as a person, offer flexible hours, and are reasonable when it comes to taking vacations. Other things I look for are just being overall supportive, can help me develop my skills with supervision, and trainings seminars.
Feb 09, 2023 @ 16:51:06
Hello Pawel,
I share the same observations about job searching. Many places did not make clear the salary and often will need to dig further for them. I agree with you that these two years post graduation do seem feasible and getting a license can be supported by your agency as well. Also, you made a good point about organizational qualities, it is important for the agency to see their workers as a person rather than just more money especially in this field since burnout is more common.
Feb 12, 2023 @ 20:42:23
Hi Pawel –
I totally understand where you’re coming from in terms of the anxiety about interviewing. I was honestly asking myself the same question when I was thinking about why I decided to stay on at internship. Definitely agree about work understanding that there has to be a work-life balance and that, we as humans, need breaks.
Feb 09, 2023 @ 09:59:44
1. I am feeling really optimistic about my recent job search experience. I know that I will be able to find a job after graduation. I am optimistic that everyone else will as well! I am comfortable with creating resumes and cover letters, if you want yours looked over feel free to email it over.
2. I am really comfortable interviewing because I interviewed others for many years. My advice to others – reach out if you want to role play, have good interview questions, and be yourself.
3. The organizational qualities that are important to me are company culture, how support is structured, opportunities for growth, and benefits, esp. insurance, CEUs paid for, and tuition reimbursement. I am really trying to find an agency that is flexible in terms of schedule as well.
Feb 09, 2023 @ 17:04:18
Hey Lindsay,
Love the advice about having questions before the interview! It is so important to go in feeling confident and prepared and role plays are a great way. CEUs are something that are a new concept for me, i still feel like I don’t know a lot about them – but this exercise helps me to start to look for that in the descriptions online
Feb 10, 2023 @ 21:23:56
Lindsay,
Thank you for offering to look over resumes and cover letters as I am sure mine needs a second look! I agree that the company culture is also very important and provides opportunities for career development and provides flexible hours since I am sure most of us have other commitments we need to attend to.
Feb 09, 2023 @ 15:27:25
I enjoyed the job search because I found jobs that provide great opportunities for growth in the field. I learned many things from this activity, I learned that some positions provide more flexibility for a lower salary or provide limited benefits with a high salary. I was surprised to find private practice that accepts master level clinicians. I am more interested in working for a private practice than an agency. The job search has helped me find a couple private practices that can provide this experience.
Furthermore, This experience did change my perspective about the clinical workforce. Before, I felt that clinicians did not make enough money for their work and that the notion that we are here to help rather than make money was looking to be true. However, I feel more optimistic about my career and that I will find a job that can help me grow. I also feel optimistic that I can find a job after graduation, this was a big concern for me. Lastly, I am optimistic that I can find similar jobs to the ones I chose for this activity once I graduate.
I
have many worries about interviews. I tend to mix my words when I feel nervous and this most likely will occur at the interviews. I feel that it would be good to practice before interviews and probably will join some professional events after graduation. In addition, I will need some training on certain clinical areas. Unfortunately, my internship did not provide any experience with psychometric testing and most of the time clinical judgment was used. This makes me feel nervous as many places do assume that you have experience in these areas and I hope I can find a place that can train me.
For organizational qualities, I would work at an agency that practices or understands CBT techniques as these will be the primary techniques I use. Also, I would like a place with strong supervision and teamwork. I feel that these qualities will create a positive environment and room for growth. Lastly, I would like a place that can provide a flexible and reasonable caseload that gives the clinician the time to destress and prepare for sessions.
Feb 10, 2023 @ 22:27:53
Hi Moises,
I am glad you enjoyed the job search assignment. If you had to choose between a private practice and agency, what would you choose? Considering they provide the same benefits, I would choose private practice as it would more likely ascertain to your desire for flexibility and CBT interventions. I also understand your worries about interviews. While it has taught me much, I also find that my internship did not set me up for every opportunity there is for therapy, including psychometric interventions. I hope that you are able to find your own research and learn what you can through CEs!
Feb 12, 2023 @ 22:52:10
Hi Moises –
I had a lot of a similar feelings after completing my job search. I also noticed how there’s so much room for growth! I think it’s pretty cool how transferrable our degrees can be when searching for jobs. When thinking about the workplace, supervision and teamwork are incredibly important. Our field possesses a significant amount of learning from others and I think that’s something that makes it special; however, when teamwork and quality supervision are lacking, this collaborative learning may not be as achievable.
Feb 09, 2023 @ 16:03:36
1. In doing this job search assignment, I definitely felt a mix of excitement, eagerness, nervousness, and anxiety. I am excited and eager about finding a job and finally starting my career in this field. However, I am planning to move closer to home and have been stressed about finding both a job as well as a place to live. This is something I have found to be very stressful. I know I want to live and work closer to the North Shore but also don’t know where to look specifically. I think this job search would have been easier had I just been searching in the Worcester area. However, in doing this job search, I tried to look in all different locations for jobs. Along with these feelings, I also am eager to start applying to places now but am unsure if I should or not since my lease is not up until August. I don’t want to miss out on opportunities by waiting too long to apply to different places but I also am worried that it’s too soon to apply. Overall, I do feel more optimistic about obtaining a job. I know there are plenty of jobs out there and that I will find one in the end.
2. Thinking about interviewing for jobs definitely makes me anxious. I’ve only had a handful of interviews so I feel like I could use some practice and more knowledge on what to expect. I would just aim to prepare as best I can and make sure I come with questions.
3. Important qualities I am looking for are that it is a welcoming and supportive environment. At my current internship, everyone is so supportive which makes for a very comfortable environment. Along with this, I want to make sure I have good quality, consistent supervision like I am receiving now.
Feb 10, 2023 @ 21:31:56
Giana,
I think a lot of us are experiencing similar anxiety being fresh from our internship and just finishing up graduate school and having to look for jobs but hope you are able to find an agency that is able to meet your needs in term of a supportive environment and quality supervision. Good luck!
Feb 10, 2023 @ 22:30:51
Hi Giana,
I understand your concerns about finding a job as well as a place to live. I have thought about moving back home to New Hampshire and continuing my career there, but I am afraid it would not provide the same opportunities. I am hoping to slowing open up that barrier and start my career in Worcester and migrate to where I want to go next. I hope you are able to find a job in the location you desire!
Feb 09, 2023 @ 16:32:15
(1) I appreciate that this clinical counseling program sets you up for the future well. Not only is it in line with the MA Licensure, but it offers classes such as PSY 627 that offer assignments such as this in order start looking for jobs. I currently meet regularly with undergraduate seniors who are now looking for jobs and careers after they graduate with their bachelor’s degree, and I hear the stress that typically comes with this process. Assumption prepares its students with the right tools and education needed for their future, but there are few programs that will help us start our search. From this search, I have learned that I am more interested in the clinical practice than I am in administrative or research-based practice. I have learned that I am not attracted to working with participants who have substance use disorder. I am more inclined to work with those individuals with basic mental health disorders. I feel more optimistic knowing how many professional agencies and private practices are hiring mental health clinicians and how my career can flourish when I obtain my LMHC.
(2) I am anxious about having “imposter syndrome” when facing my interviewer. I am afraid of being turned down for not knowing enough or not believing in my ability. I must work on building my confidence and prepare for the interview just like I would prepare for an exam. I am also worried about choosing the wrong profession that either does not lead to progression or promotion or is not in my repertoire. But I also know that I have as much freedom with my choice of profession as my interviewer does. Therefore, if during the interview and acceptance process I discern that one job is not for me, I can choose to find a more suitable position.
(3) Self-care and rigidity are important to me. These are important qualities I am looking for in a future employer. Though these are entirely different qualities, they are important to maintaining a working, professional relationship. If I need to take time for self-care, I would like to have the freedom to do so. However, when I am in the office, I would like to be able to stick to a schedule.
Feb 11, 2023 @ 14:52:34
Hi Tim,
I think a lot of us can relate to feeling some level of “imposter syndrome” at times. This is something I’ve talked a lot with my peers and even my own therapist about. I try to continue to remind myself that despite sometimes feeling like an imposter and being so new to the field, that the school aspect has trained and prepared us enough and that were not complete imposters because of it..