PsyDStudent71
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- Feb 27, 2021
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My boyfriend and I have been together for four years and counting. We have both discussed marriage and children. However, he had difficulty passing his Step 2 CK. This resulted in five failed attempts until he realized that the failed attempts were a direct result of poor test taking strategies rather than knowledge. All other steps were passed on the first attempt including Step 3. He took a leave of absence from medical school to study rigorously for Step 2 CK for about 2 years. At last, he graduated medical school and earned his diploma. Yet, he hasn't been able to successfully match or be granted with an interview. He does not have a strong resume as he spent the majority of his life strictly studying for medical school and examinations. He aspires to be accepted into a psychiatric residency and to get married once he achieves the residency. Although, he wants to marry he does not find it feasible to marry prior to achieving residency due to financial and career stability.
My pursuit has been to start a PsyD program which I was hoping to start this year. However, I am reluctant to start my PsyD program due to my partner's experiences. I'm in my late twenties and he is in his mid-thirties. I have a history of pregnancy being very difficult to achieve in my family. I've reached the point where I'm willing to delay my PsyD until after marriage and having a child. In the meantime, I'm considering to pursue an Master's of Social Work to attain my ambitions to clinically practice in the field of psychology. That way, I could support my spouse and child on my own while practicing in a field that I have always aspired to be in. If I pursue a Master's in Social Work then I can provide the financial stability my partner needs in order for us to marry and have children while waiting for his residency. However, I'm uncertain how long that wait will be. It could be a year, two, five, or ten. It is an uncertain factor that is preventing him from marriage and children. My change of plans from PsyD to MSW would also give him the freedom to move out of state as he is looking to volunteer or work at institutions where he can become acquainted with residency programs. A Master's in Social Work is a 2 year program compared to a four year PsyD program which would quickly allow me to be a source of stability for the both of us.
I understand his concerns. But, I don't understand how an individual can put their entire life on hold while in the pursuit of an undetermined and uncertain factor. From my perspective, we should be working together to grow experiences and careers in the present while still applying for residencies. Additional experience would increase the potential of being interviewed. Focusing on life goals and development simultaneously appears to be the best option from my perspective. Yet, my partner feels that none of that is attainable without first securing a residency. I am wondering if others have had this type of experience with residencies or know of any others in a similar situation. Is there a better perspective or option I can take rather than delaying my PsyD given the circumstances? Or is changing career paths a sound alternative? Has anyone else balanced marriage and children while waiting on a residency?
My pursuit has been to start a PsyD program which I was hoping to start this year. However, I am reluctant to start my PsyD program due to my partner's experiences. I'm in my late twenties and he is in his mid-thirties. I have a history of pregnancy being very difficult to achieve in my family. I've reached the point where I'm willing to delay my PsyD until after marriage and having a child. In the meantime, I'm considering to pursue an Master's of Social Work to attain my ambitions to clinically practice in the field of psychology. That way, I could support my spouse and child on my own while practicing in a field that I have always aspired to be in. If I pursue a Master's in Social Work then I can provide the financial stability my partner needs in order for us to marry and have children while waiting for his residency. However, I'm uncertain how long that wait will be. It could be a year, two, five, or ten. It is an uncertain factor that is preventing him from marriage and children. My change of plans from PsyD to MSW would also give him the freedom to move out of state as he is looking to volunteer or work at institutions where he can become acquainted with residency programs. A Master's in Social Work is a 2 year program compared to a four year PsyD program which would quickly allow me to be a source of stability for the both of us.
I understand his concerns. But, I don't understand how an individual can put their entire life on hold while in the pursuit of an undetermined and uncertain factor. From my perspective, we should be working together to grow experiences and careers in the present while still applying for residencies. Additional experience would increase the potential of being interviewed. Focusing on life goals and development simultaneously appears to be the best option from my perspective. Yet, my partner feels that none of that is attainable without first securing a residency. I am wondering if others have had this type of experience with residencies or know of any others in a similar situation. Is there a better perspective or option I can take rather than delaying my PsyD given the circumstances? Or is changing career paths a sound alternative? Has anyone else balanced marriage and children while waiting on a residency?