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<\/a> The MATCH process can be an overwhelming experience for many students.\u00a0 Perhaps students become overwhelmed because internship preparation represents the final hurdle and course requirement before life as a professional psychologist begins.\u00a0 In many cases, students become overwhelmed having heard past horror stories from friends or read previous articles that highlighted frightening statistics about the lack of internship sites; especially APA accredited sites. Whatever the case, I\u2019m sure you have heard your share of stories.\u00a0 As a fellow student and current intern, I\u2019m writing to share my personal experience with you. I am hopeful that my story will show how persistence, vigilance, and determination pays off despite what may appear as a hopeless situation.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
I am an older African American male, married, with two sons. I decided to leave a career in the Military to pursue my dream of earning a Psy.D. \u00a0I was eligible to apply for the MATCH in 2010 for the 2011-2012 internship year.\u00a0 As expected, I was thrilled to have reached that point in my clinical training. \u00a0Having gone through several internship preparation seminars\/meetings, \u00a0I \u00a0followed the advice of faculty and submitted \u00a0an average amount of applications; approximately 15-20. \u00a0I was confident that I would MATCH in the first round. Gosh, was I wrong. \u00a0Although I was called for either in-house or telephone interviews at several sites, I still did not MATCH. I was angry, sad, worried, and lacked confidence. It was a hard pill to swallow knowing that my friends were selected and I was not. Despite it all, I re-applied for phase 2. \u00a0Again, I submitted an average number of applications and was anxious to hear whether I would receive invitations to interview.\u00a0 Needless to say, I was invited to interview at only one APA accredited site. \u00a0I interviewed via telephone and was selected to begin internship on July 1, 2011. I was overwhelmed by excitement and again believed in my abilities.\u00a0 I packed my belongings, kissed my wife and kids, and travelled halfway around the country eager to begin. \u00a0Initially, all went well on internship as I met the other interns and staff. After completing orientation, I was ready to meet clients.<\/p>\n
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Approximately 3 months into internship, the unthinkable happened. Family issues compelled me to resign. I was devastated, depressed, and thought that my future as a professional psychologist was over.\u00a0 Although my internship site supported my decision to resign, I was embarrassed to inform my school\u2019s clinical director and APPIC about the resignation. My initial thought was that I \u201cblew it.\u201d I would never be given another shot. Negative thoughts consumed me and I ruminated repeatedly over my decision to resign. I decided that family was more important to me than my career. \u00a0As an older student, I questioned my decision of returning to school. As family issues persisted, I experienced negative thoughts that I failed. \u00a0After contemplating my future, I expressed interest to my school that I wanted to re-apply for internship. I was told that I would not be eligible to apply for the 2012-2013 MATCH.<\/p>\n
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During my year off, I underwent several embarrassing committee meetings. The committee required me to write courses of action to ensure a successful internship experience if given a second chance. \u00a0Basically, I was under the microscope for one year.\u00a0 During that year, I re-told my family\u2019s situation over and over again to anyone who asked. I was told by individuals that \u201cI gravely jeopardized my career as a future psychologist.\u201d \u00a0I continued to write courses of action and re-told my story despite negative comments from professionals of various disciplines.<\/p>\n
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After one year, I received the endorsement from my school and was granted permission to re-apply for the 2013-2014 internship year. I updated my CV, cover letters, and application in the Aug\/Sept 2012 timeframe. I submitted to 35 sites. Of the 35 sites, I received 11 invitations to interview; 8 APA accredited and 3 non-APA. \u00a0I was selected in the first round by a non-APA site.<\/p>\n
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Whether you are not selected in Phase I or Phase II, my heartfelt advice to you is to press on and not give up until you have totally exhausted all of your resources.\u00a0 Also, I have found that students may become discouraged after being selected to a non-APA site. \u00a0I\u2019m here to inform you that non-APA sites provide valuable skills and necessary tools that are useful to function as a competent and well-informed psychologist. Furthermore, being selected to a non-APA site is not\u00a0 a negative reflection of you as a student or as a person. \u00a0It does not mean that you are a failure, inadequate, or not competitive among your peers. Rather, it means that you have made it to the next phase of your journey. \u00a0I\u2019m hopeful that my personal testimony will instill persistence and faith in your abilities as you begin the APPIC process and ultimately completing your educational goals.<\/p>\n
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The MATCH process can be an overwhelming experience for many students.\u00a0 Perhaps students become overwhelmed because internship preparation represents the final hurdle and course requirement before life as a professional psychologist begins.\u00a0 In many cases, students become overwhelmed having heard … Continue reading