Phd? Or Am I Aiming Too High?

[Suzetig]

To be honest in your shoes is probably wait til I actually got home before making big decision - and PhD is a huge committment. You don't know how you'll feel at be home, what your social and family supports will look like in real life and whether the drama of the last two years might catch up on you. You also have already had difficulties because you've been away from the states for so long, taking time to re-establish yourself might give you more credibility in your application and give you time to catch your breath.

Would it be your plan to go into clinical practice or research/academia? From what I gather neither are greatly well paid in the States (that being a relative term of course). You could find yourself having studied for what becomes a very expensive hobby.

Another thought, if you hate the psychology industry, studying and teaching at university level won't improve things. All the things that disgusted you about people aiming for psychology practice are still there, no doubt, and you'll have limited space to challenge stuff you're not happy with because if you do get a scholarship the university will effectively employ you to deliver teaching against their curriculum.

When I was looking at Masters/PhD level study my supervisor advised me to choose something I really loved - because by the time I finished I'd be so weary it's the love of the topic that gets you through the write up. I don't think doctorate studies are necessarily beyond you - we adapt to all kinds of things and this would just be another "thing", you've shown yourself to be resilient and determined both of which are good qualities. If you start now I've no doubt you'll fight your way through, I just wonder if giving yourself a bit of time - and really thinking about what your end aim is/what field you want to work in - might allow you to give more of yourself to the process and maybe enjoy your choice of study rather than just getting through it.

 

[Casey_03]

Thanks @Suzetig I agree with you, I think I will need time to adapt and get sorted. But I'm going to apply anyway now and just see if I can get funding. The application process itself isn't much of a commitment, and by the time they get back to me I should have a clearer picture of what my home life will be like. I'll also continue to seek out other opportunties in the meantime -- for all I know I'll find an amazing job without having to go back to school (though I doubt it). I'd love to be able to do what I really love -- screenwriting -- but that's a one-in-a-million kind of thing.

 

[theshadowoftheliving]

I think that you should apply. You'll find out a lot about the program by putting the materials together. Also, applying won't mean you get in and getting in doesnt necessarily mean funding and even getting funding doesn't mean you have to go. The application can ole doorways you can decide if you want to pursue it or not a little down the line.

 

[Suzetig]

That makes sense, of you don't get funding you'll know your way through the application process better next time and if you do, you can always defer your start for a year - most places will give a bit of wiggle Rome on that one.

Another option might be to look for a research assistant post and do that for a year - you'll get a sense of whether academia suits you and have solid experience for your application. Universities and voluntary organisation here regularly have paid research posts that aren't doctoral programmes and some don't need a Masters as a pre-requisite but you'd get good experience without the all consuming committment of a PhD. There may be something similar particularly if you're going to be living in a university town.

 

[pixel]

A crazy idea for you, @Casey_03

you seem driven, forward thinking, creative and confident. I have absolutely no idea if this is even a job, but here goes anyway!

Journalism & screenwriting. Combine both of those skills and approach vloggers or podcasters and offer to do their scripts.
Podcast graphics have improved enormously but honestly, it seems people give little attention to the content: the wording, outline sequencing, relevant material, memory aids, & conclusions are the worst — :facepalm:fair dinkum people, what you say last is remembered first!

Watched a 5 min podcast about the physiological effects of smoking: starting from the mouth, into the lungs, et cetera and finally concluded with erectile disfunction. The final words, as he flicked a flacid penis were "is this what you want to happen to you?" :wideeyed:
I mean, it's a pertinent point, but I don't have a penis, it will never happen to me. :coldfeet:

Casey, you can save us all with your talents!

Please, oh please! :roflmao: