Internship factors associated with the mobility of early career psychologists.

Abstract

Retaining interns to work in the communities and settings in which they trained helps ensure a workforce that is well prepared to meet the needs of society. Psychology workforce data suggest that the supply of psychologists is not always sufficient in some areas, leading to unmet need. However, patterns of mobility in the psychology workforce are not well understood, nor are factors that might impact decisions to move away from a particular location or setting. This study surveyed early-career psychologists about the distance between their internship and other training and employment settings. Of the 2,206 respondents, individuals were significantly more likely to do their internship at a setting more than 75 miles from their doctoral program and take a first position less than 75 miles from their internship. Individuals were also significantly more likely to have their second position more than 75 miles from their internship (although 40% reported their second position was still less than 75 miles from their internship). Older individuals were less likely to take a first or second position more than 75 miles from their internship, whereas identifying as an ethnic minority was not related to location. Results also indicate that certain states are more likely to lose/gain interns as they pursue employment. Employment setting, job responsibilities, and opportunities for growth were early-career psychologists' top factors for selecting first and second positions. Compared with other settings, military medical centers, school districts/ systems, and university counseling centers were significantly more likely to retain trainees in that setting as they advanced in their careers. Finally, about as many respondents stated that their internship site did bill for their services as those who said their site did not bill. Collectively, these results have implications for efforts to recruit and retain a sufficient psychology workforce. Public Significance StatementThis article reports on the results of a survey intended to gather information about prevalence and reasons psychology interns take positions more than 75 miles from their internship. Findings can be used to guide efforts to better align needs for psychologists and the locations and settings where they work.

Survey of doctoral internships in psychology offering experience in forensics and corrections.

“…Students are highly motivated (and often anxious) to match with competitive internship programs of their choosing. On average, early career psychologists accepted their first professional position less than 75 miles from their internship (Ameen et al, 2020). Such findings suggest that internship placement is key in influencing one’s professional trajectory.…”

“…Forensic postdoctoral training directors ranked “forensic training at internship” and “reputation of internship site” as important criteria for postdoctoral placements (Malesky & Proctor, 2012). In addition, forensic and correctional settings retain approximately one-third of their interns for permanent positions (Ameen et al, 2020). These findings underscore the value of a forensic or correctional internship for students with related aspirations.…”

Attitudes about parenting and family planning among psychology trainees and mentors.

“…There is promise in emerging research (e.g., work on internships and career mobility; Ameen et al, 2021), but it is especially important that marginalized perspectives on this topic are explored more deeply. For example, while the present study had only a handful of Native American respondents, it is important that these voices and experiences are being heard, so that the unique stressors that they face are accounted for.…”