View Full Version : Expecting another big move for career purposes (NY or IN)
I haven't posted much recently due to being so busy with work and applications for jobs, but I'm excited to be in the job hunt. As many of you know, I went from Oregon, to SoCal, to northern Arizona so far as I prepare to have a consistent psychologist position. I have 2 current interviews lined up that would take me to parts of the country that I have not even visited previously: Indianapolis, IN, or Ithaca, NY. I'm curious if anybody here has much experience with those places and what their thoughts are.
Neither are guaranteed and I may ultimately land a different position, but this is an exciting time for me.
ItsMillerTime
05-14-2015, 04:57 PM
I live in Indianapolis and imo this city is underrated. It's a great city if you love sports, drinking and nightlife, good food, walking/biking, etc etc. People here are generally friendly, probably more than New York. That being said, it's not New York.
KevinNYC
05-14-2015, 04:58 PM
Ithaca would be more like the liberal parts of Oregon
KevinNYC
05-14-2015, 05:02 PM
Also the finger lakes region on Ny is gorgeous in the summer and fall
Akrazotile
05-14-2015, 05:21 PM
I haven't posted much recently due to being so busy with work and applications for jobs, but I'm excited to be in the job hunt. As many of you know, I went from Oregon, to SoCal, to northern Arizona so far as I prepare to have a consistent psychologist position. I have 2 current interviews lined up that would take me to parts of the country that I have not even visited previously: Indianapolis, IN, or Ithaca, NY. I'm curious if anybody here has much experience with those places and what their thoughts are.
Neither are guaranteed and I may ultimately land a different position, but this is an exciting time for me.
What is the circumstance for which you will be hired as a psychologist? Usually when I think of that career I think of someone with an independent practice making money doing hourly therapy sessions. But I guess maybe theyre sometimes hired by prisons, schools, etc?
For what circumstance will you potentially be hired to practice psychology?
DeuceWallaces
05-14-2015, 05:27 PM
What is the circumstance for which you will be hired as a psychologist? Usually when I think of that career I think of someone with an independent practice making money doing hourly therapy sessions. But I guess maybe theyre sometimes hired by prisons, schools, etc?
For what circumstance will you potentially be hired to practice psychology?
Psychology and psychiatry are two different things.
Anyway, all the big Midwest cities are nice, but I'm least familiar with Indianapolis.
What is the circumstance for which you will be hired as a psychologist? Usually when I think of that career I think of someone with an independent practice making money doing hourly therapy sessions. But I guess maybe theyre sometimes hired by prisons, schools, etc?
For what circumstance will you potentially be hired to practice psychology?
I work for colleges and do therapy with the students.
Psychology and psychiatry are two different things.
Anyway, all the big Midwest cities are nice, but I'm least familiar with Indianapolis.
They are different, but both are frequently used in all sorts of environments.
Akrazotile
05-14-2015, 05:30 PM
Psychology and psychiatry are two different things.
Yes. One can write prescriptions, the other cannot.
That has nothing to do with my question..........
Ithaca would be more like the liberal parts of Oregon
Do you mean Eugene? Because there aren't many liberal parts in Oregon. It is mostly just the Portland metro area and Eugene, but my understanding is Ithaca would not be like Portland.
I live in Indianapolis and imo this city is underrated. It's a great city if you love sports, drinking and nightlife, good food, walking/biking, etc etc. People here are generally friendly, probably more than New York. That being said, it's not New York.
My guess is I would prefer Indianapolis. Better weather and actually living in the city, versus living in essentially a large college town in NY with big cities being a decent drive. How are they with interracial couples?
Akrazotile
05-14-2015, 05:39 PM
I work for colleges and do therapy with the students.
Ah.
And I take it therapy is "free" for students? As in, built into the cost of tuition paid by all students, and available without charge to the ones who need someone listen to them have a good cry?
No offense. :lol
KevinNYC
05-14-2015, 06:33 PM
Do you mean Eugene? Because there aren't many liberal parts in Oregon. It is mostly just the Portland metro area and Eugene, but my understanding is Ithaca would not be like Portland.
That was why I kinda specified which parts. Unfortunately, Indianapolis is not like Portland either.
Eugene sounds like a nice parallel to Ithaca. I once vacationed up near there. Like a Lake or two over. One of those places where there's a bunch of cabins on the Lake and at night you have nothing to do but sit around the campfire and meet the folks in the other cabins. One family was from Rochester and were kind of Fox News Types. Another couple was from Ithaca. The lady from Rochester screeched she wouldn't wouldn't be caught dead in Ithaca.....she said it like someone who have described Gomorrah a couple thousand years ago. Apparently her local news described it as infested with cults. She was shocked I didn't know this. I was like I live in NYC we have actual things happening and real news going on. They were also super, super impressed that I saw Al Roker on the street about every other week. They were also completely sure that Hillary Clinton was going to beat Rudy Giuliani for Senate which surprised me.
KevinNYC
05-14-2015, 06:37 PM
Better weatherI just looked and they actually have pretty much the same climate almost.
Like I said it's really pretty around that part of NY State 3 seasons out of the year. If I knew it was going to be a short stay, I could probably live in Ithaca.
Ah.
And I take it therapy is "free" for students? As in, built into the cost of tuition paid by all students, and available without charge to the ones who need someone listen to them have a good cry?
No offense. :lol
Depends on the college. I have worked at some where it is free, and some where it is just cheap.
I just looked and they actually have pretty much the same climate almost.
Like I said it's really pretty around that part of NY State 3 seasons out of the year. If I knew it was going to be a short stay, I could probably live in Ithaca.
It probably won't be a short stay. Few years minimum most likely. At this point I am done with training, so it would be wonderful to get a job that I can settle down at, but if not, I'll probably work for 3 years, build my experience up more so that I am much more qualified for ideal positions. A majority of the jobs out there require 2 years post-licensure to be hired, so my pool of job opportunities is significantly smaller right now and I'll have to take what I can get. 3 years is because my gf is going back to school for nursing, so I'll only take a job where a program for her is nearby and we'll consider moving if we want to once I have that experience and she is done with school.
I'm going into psychology OP, do you recommend it?
I'm going into psychology OP, do you recommend it?
I love my job. Most days are interesting, some days especially so, I spend a decent amount of time away from a desk which is nice (though quite a bit of the job is that too), and I feel like I am actually making a difference in the lives of others. It is low paying given how much schooling it took, so you really want to gauge things and make sure you will enjoy it. Another nice perk is that most people in the field also love their jobs, so you work with a lot of positive people. The best therapists are really in tune with their own emotions, yet can handle them as well. If you are oblivious to your emotions, it may be hard to do good work. If you get overwhelmed with your emotions, it can be hard to shoulder the emotions of some of the worst things you have ever heard and then go home and go about your day as normal.
How far are you into studying psychology, and what do you want to do with it?
I love my job. Most days are interesting, some days especially so, I spend a decent amount of time away from a desk which is nice (though quite a bit of the job is that too), and I feel like I am actually making a difference in the lives of others. It is low paying given how much schooling it took, so you really want to gauge things and make sure you will enjoy it. Another nice perk is that most people in the field also love their jobs, so you work with a lot of positive people. The best therapists are really in tune with their own emotions, yet can handle them as well. If you are oblivious to your emotions, it may be hard to do good work. If you get overwhelmed with your emotions, it can be hard to shoulder the emotions of some of the worst things you have ever heard and then go home and go about your day as normal.
How far are you into studying psychology, and what do you want to do with it?
I'm not far at all. For my associates I did liberal arts. I was 17-18, wasn't taking college seriously. I had taken general psychology and child developmental psychology. At the time, I didn't purchase either text books. Texted the entire time in class or browsed ISH. Didn't study. Didn't do anything. Like an idiot. I passed both with a C and a D.
I want to give it a second chance, because really it's all I like. I'd say what interests me most is being a therapist but that's a reach.. I want to get my BA, get a job (30k salary is fine) and work my way up.
What degree do you have and how much are you working for? I want to do something I love doing. Money doesn't make me.. It never did. It'll never fulfill my happiness. Theres times I sidetracked for money taking courses like accounting forcing myself to learn something that'll make me money.. But I came to a conclusion I'd rather be happily helping people than anything else.
I'm not far at all. For my associates I did liberal arts. I was 17-18, wasn't taking college seriously. I had taken general psychology and child developmental psychology. At the time, I didn't purchase either text books. Texted the entire time in class or browsed ISH. Didn't study. Didn't do anything. Like an idiot. I passed both with a C and a D.
I want to give it a second chance, because really it's all I like. I'd say what interests me most is being a therapist but that's a reach.. I want to get my BA, get a job (30k salary is fine) and work my way up.
What degree do you have and how much are you working for? I want to do something I love doing. Money doesn't make me.. It never did. It'll never fulfill my happiness. Theres times I sidetracked for money taking courses like accounting forcing myself to learn something that'll make me money.. But I came to a conclusion I'd rather be happily helping people than anything else.
I'm not well versed in BA jobs in psych. I've heard that a lot of people end up working in something not related to psych, but I'm sure if you do some research you could find some stuff. It is good that 30k is good for you as a starting wage, because as I mentioned, psych jobs don't pay a lot. I got my Psy.D. (similar to Ph.D., but more emphasis on clinical work than research), so that is 5 years of grad school, plus a post-doc residency to get licensed. I'm finishing up my residency right now, which only pays 30k because it is still a trainee position. Starting wage in the college environment is about 55k, with a cap of about 75-80k unless you become the clinic director. If you want to be a therapist, you could stop at a masters, but even that would require bumping up your grades considerably so you can get into a program.
I'm not well versed in BA jobs in psych. I've heard that a lot of people end up working in something not related to psych, but I'm sure if you do some research you could find some stuff. It is good that 30k is good for you as a starting wage, because as I mentioned, psych jobs don't pay a lot. I got my Psy.D. (similar to Ph.D., but more emphasis on clinical work than research), so that is 5 years of grad school, plus a post-doc residency to get licensed. I'm finishing up my residency right now, which only pays 30k because it is still a trainee position. Starting wage in the college environment is about 55k, with a cap of about 75-80k unless you become the clinic director. If you want to be a therapist, you could stop at a masters, but even that would require bumping up your grades considerably so you can get into a program.
Can you recommend me some books? An intro book for starters and whatever you liked?
BigBoss
05-14-2015, 10:15 PM
Move to Bangkok
Can you recommend me some books? An intro book for starters and whatever you liked?
I would actually start with the actual text books for Intro to Psych, unless you mean jumping over that stuff and jumping to intro to counseling type books. If the latter, there is actually books called Basic Clinical & Counseling Skills that would be useful. There are more interesting books to read than those, but it doesn't make as much sense to skip right to them because they are just more specialized to one's interests once they have more basic concepts down.
Akrazotile
05-14-2015, 11:22 PM
I would actually start with the actual text books for Intro to Psych, unless you mean jumping over that stuff and jumping to intro to counseling type books. If the latter, there is actually books called Basic Clinical & Counseling Skills that would be useful. There are more interesting books to read than those, but it doesn't make as much sense to skip right to them because they are just more specialized to one's interests once they have more basic concepts down.
Youre literally talking to a gimmick dude.
Youre literally talking to a gimmick dude.
What's the gimmick?
BlazerRed
05-15-2015, 09:42 AM
Bro.. Why do you keep downgrading the places you live? You started at the top and have been on a gradual decline ever since :biggums:
nathanjizzle
05-15-2015, 10:34 AM
if it were between those two, i would chose indy.
Bro.. Why do you keep downgrading the places you live? You started at the top and have been on a gradual decline ever since :biggums:
I applied to a new position last night to University of Portland. The problem is, the desired locations have a lot of competition. I'll be a clinician who just got his license competing with people who have been in the field for 20 years. The positions I'm getting interviews for I applied to somewhat out of desperation rather than desire. I'd be pretty happy with Indy from what I have heard. The nice thing is, I grew up a huge Reggie Miller fan, so I could re-take the Pacers as a secondary team. Ithaca isn't really near much. I'll have to drive hours for any games I want to watch. About 4 hours to New York, Phili, and Toronto.
Thorpesaurous
05-15-2015, 11:13 AM
I've been to both. I spent a short time in Indianapolis and really loved it. But I find that I've enjoyed all of the Midwestern major cities far more than they get credit for. They're usually clean, and have much more variety and culture than they're given credit for. And because they're a bit newer than the east coast cities, they're layed out better. Chicago is my favorite city in the country. I also love Pittsburgh. And I've enjoyed Cleveland. Cincinatti is a bit depressing because it feels like a General Electric ghost town. But Indy was comparable to Pittsburgh in the time I was there. Obviously the big give up in most Midwestern towns is a shoreline (Chicago's great lake being one of the things that sets it apart imo). But if that's not a big deal for you, then it seems like a great city. I only qualify the statement because I spent four days there on a long weekend passing through and was there for fun. So obviously that impacts my opinion.
I've also spent a fair amount of time in Ithaca. I had a handful of friends who went to school up there. And I've spent time in other cities up that way. Ithaca is on the mouth of a lake, which is nice. But otherwise it's not closer to a shoreline than Indianapolis is. And it's not "NY", as in NYC. You're probably as close to NYC as you are to Canada. It is stunningly beautiful as the seasons change. Much of New England is, but even moreso in the quaint smaller cities like Ithaca.
If I were you I'd go with Indy. The bigger city gives you more chances to stick. More opportunity socially too.
rufuspaul
05-15-2015, 11:37 AM
From a psychology standpoint Ithaca will be full of rich kids with all kinds of problems which their parents will gladly pay for to get them therapy so they won't have to deal with it. Just sayin.
ALBballer
05-15-2015, 02:54 PM
Ithaca is really out there. I would chose Indianapolis due to low COL for a decent size city, large airport making it easier to travel to other places, taxes are lower (Indiana is known for low income and property taxes), and you are only 3-4 hours away from Chicago if you want the big city experience.
I spent a considerable amount of time in Indianapolis and i think it's a really nice city. It's not NYC, LA, SF, Chicago, Miami but it has a nice restaurant/bar scene, prices are reasonable and has two professional teams in the Pacers and Colts.
ItsMillerTime
05-15-2015, 03:17 PM
My guess is I would prefer Indianapolis. Better weather and actually living in the city, versus living in essentially a large college town in NY with big cities being a decent drive. How are they with interracial couples?
That won't be an issue. Indiana as a state might lean more towards conservatism, but Indianapolis is definitely more liberal. Look up Mass Ave, Broadripple, or Fountain Square. Three very nice neighborhoods on the outskirts of Indy that welcome anyone and everyone. My best friend and his girl are interracial and I've never seen them take flack for it.
Living in the city is actually great here. You can pretty much walk anywhere within the downtown limits. Both Lucas Oil Stadium and Bankers Life Fieldhouse are within walking distances of most hotels, restaurants, bars, night-life spots, etc. It's also safer than most large cities.
OP how old are you again?
Hell yes! Got a University of Portland interview as well.
OP how old are you again?
30
Ithaca is really out there. I would chose Indianapolis due to low COL for a decent size city, large airport making it easier to travel to other places, taxes are lower (Indiana is known for low income and property taxes), and you are only 3-4 hours away from Chicago if you want the big city experience.
I spent a considerable amount of time in Indianapolis and i think it's a really nice city. It's not NYC, LA, SF, Chicago, Miami but it has a nice restaurant/bar scene, prices are reasonable and has two professional teams in the Pacers and Colts.
Yeah, I have really opened up to the idea of Indianapolis.
That won't be an issue. Indiana as a state might lean more towards conservatism, but Indianapolis is definitely more liberal. Look up Mass Ave, Broadripple, or Fountain Square. Three very nice neighborhoods on the outskirts of Indy that welcome anyone and everyone. My best friend and his girl are interracial and I've never seen them take flack for it.
Living in the city is actually great here. You can pretty much walk anywhere within the downtown limits. Both Lucas Oil Stadium and Bankers Life Fieldhouse are within walking distances of most hotels, restaurants, bars, night-life spots, etc. It's also safer than most large cities.
Great to hear.
BlazerRed
05-15-2015, 05:11 PM
Hell yes! Got a University of Portland interview as well.
Go home brother :applause:
Go home brother :applause:
I miss Blazer home games so much. I used to go all the time. I only made it to 3 or 4 Phoenix games this year, and only 1 was against Portland. It loses some excitement watching Blazers on the road because the arena is dead during the games I'm happy about. There were a decent amount of Blazer fans here though, as well as Lillard fans that came down from Weber St.
BlazerRed
05-16-2015, 10:52 PM
I miss Blazer home games so much. I used to go all the time. I only made it to 3 or 4 Phoenix games this year, and only 1 was against Portland. It loses some excitement watching Blazers on the road because the arena is dead during the games I'm happy about. There were a decent amount of Blazer fans here though, as well as Lillard fans that came down from Weber St.
Portland is calling your name.
Myth Myth Myth Myth Myth
Plus, donuts with fruit loops on them..
I'm not well versed in BA jobs in psych. I've heard that a lot of people end up working in something not related to psych, but I'm sure if you do some research you could find some stuff. It is good that 30k is good for you as a starting wage, because as I mentioned, psych jobs don't pay a lot. I got my Psy.D. (similar to Ph.D., but more emphasis on clinical work than research), so that is 5 years of grad school, plus a post-doc residency to get licensed. I'm finishing up my residency right now, which only pays 30k because it is still a trainee position. Starting wage in the college environment is about 55k, with a cap of about 75-80k unless you become the clinic director. If you want to be a therapist, you could stop at a masters, but even that would require bumping up your grades considerably so you can get into a program.
Just doing a little research and it says here some students can work towards their Psy.D after their BA.. is that what you did?
DukeDelonte13
05-18-2015, 10:15 AM
Indy is a really nice town.
Just doing a little research and it says here some students can work towards their Psy.D after their BA.. is that what you did?
After you get your bachelors, you would have to apply to a doctoral program. The process is no different than getting your doctorate in other fields.
tomtucker
05-18-2015, 01:40 PM
I applied to a new position last night to University of Portland. The problem is, the desired locations have a lot of competition. I'll be a clinician who just got his license competing with people who have been in the field for 20 years. The positions I'm getting interviews for I applied to somewhat out of desperation rather than desire. I'd be pretty happy with Indy from what I have heard. The nice thing is, I grew up a huge Reggie Miller fan, so I could re-take the Pacers as a secondary team. Ithaca isn't really near much. I'll have to drive hours for any games I want to watch. About 4 hours to New York, Phili, and Toronto.
:biggums: ...........:facepalm :facepalm ....you tool..... during interviews i bet you forget to mention that you have an account on ISH and post regularly.....that is the deal sealer
DeuceWallaces
05-18-2015, 01:46 PM
After you get your bachelors, you would have to apply to a doctoral program. The process is no different than getting your doctorate in other fields.
I usually suggest a Masters program first. Especially for people who did not work after their B.S. and are under 26. It's a big commitment that kids are typically not prepared for. Especially in certain departments.
2 phone interviews down: Portland and Ithaca. Loved how the Portland interview went.
I also got an interview for Villanova now.
I usually suggest a Masters program first. Especially for people who did not work after their B.S. and are under 26. It's a big commitment that kids are typically not prepared for. Especially in certain departments.
Most doctoral programs in psychology these days have it built in to get your masters along the way. You can get your masters and drop out if you want, which I knew a few who did in my program.
Essentially, you can do a 5 year doctoral program, which gets you a masters after year 2. Or you can do a 2 year masters program, and then later return for a doctorate as an advanced standing student and do 4 years in the program. The one thing I don't know is how bad it looks if you do a doctoral program, drop after your masters, and then decide to return later for your doctorate.
This. Ithaca is the f*cking worst, coming from someone who went to college there for a bit. All of the NYC rich kids go to Ithaca and Cornell.
There's a reason Ithaca College had/has one of the highest suicide rates. The area is rife for the Myth mental game if you want it.
It's an okay locale if you like woods and lakes, but it has a shit winter, is rural as f*ck, and is essentially a college town. Syracuse is the closest decent city to go on weekends.
My gf has family connections at Ithaca, which is why we applied (in case things get desperate), but it is now my 4th choice (out of 4) now that I have more interviews lined up.
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