Dear Dr. Friedman:
I am a doctoral student in clinical psychology. My husband is in the best graduate school for someone in his field; I fully support him in his professional goals and we have decided that he should not relocate until he finishes his doctorate. I am in the process applying for internships in the city in which he lives so that we can be together. My credentials are solid. I completed my requirements and dissertation proposal in record time. I serve as a "clinic associate" at my school's clinic. My dissertation chairperson is an international figure.
However, clinical internships are competitive and there are only 12 institutions in that city which have places for interns. What can I do to increase my chances?
Lonely heart
Lonely heart
I bet that you are lonely. It's terrible that excellent students have to be separated from their spouses. You didn't mention whether or not you have children but the situation is even more difficult when they are part of the equation. Every year, I hear about numerous situations like yours---not, just in clinical psychology, but in every field. It seems like we just haven't caught up with the nineties.
I teach a six-week, summer course, Research Internship in Clinical Psychology at Carnegie Mellon. Aside from being involved in ongoing clinical research, students devote a significant amount of time to career planning. Every year this question is raised. Specifically, students want help with -dual career planning- . That is, how do you go about collaborating to ensure that both you and your significant other end up in the same place; ideally, one that is good for both of you professionally. Every year, students struggle with the personal and professional trade-offs which this decision entails.
I offer these suggestions, for anyone in this predicament...It seems to me that the key to your situation is aggressive proactive networking. You did not mention whether you have summers off. However, if you do, you should spend summers with your husband and you should launch an active networking campaign. A previous letter has described some networking strategies, you may want to check them out. If you deleted them and would like an additional copy, feel free to let me know. In January, all of the letters will be posted on my new web page. But, for now, you can simply request back letters via email.
Anyhow, being proactive is the key, although most graduate students wait until they are in the later stages of their training to obtain internship application materials, I would advise you to send away for internship materials during your very first year. Acquaint yourself with the kind of application sought by each internship in your husband's city. Also, familiarize yourself with the theoretical orientations and research interests of each of the internship faculty. Create a context for interacting via email or face-to-face with those who share common interests with you.
Ideally, you should be in touch with like-minded faculty when you do your masters thesis and your dissertation proposal. Follow their research closely. Write to them. Ask them questions about it. Send them copies of your work. In short, become a junior colleague. Many faculty will be flattered by your interest and happy to provide a bit of informal mentoring. Some will not. However, it is rather like dating (which apparently you were successful at, you may have to kiss a lot of frogs before you find that handsome prince)...and, remember, in the end, you only need admission to only one internship! So, don't be discouraged by those faculty who may be too busy to be responsive to you.
Also, join the local organizations in the city of your choice. Join the local psychological association or the local chapter of any national organization of which you are a member. Attend meetings and network. It isn't easy but you need to approach people who already have their doctorate and get to know them. Hopefully, when application time arrives, you'll have developed plenty of local people to consult for advice and guidance.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, as described in a previous letter, you should be sure to talk over your situation with your faculty. They may have helpful ideas and contacts. Good luck. Please let me know how it works out. Also, I'd be very interested in hearing about any other helpful suggestions that you obtain.
Dr. Friedman
Write Dr. Lynn Friedman