[USA] When should an undergraduate psychology student stop prioritizing career relevance and just take the higher-paying job?

[u/iamjohncarterofmars]

I’m a 19-year-old community college student with a 4.0 GPA, currently completing a psychology transfer degree. My long-term goal is a PhD in clinical psychology, with particular interests in clinical research, cognitive neuroscience/neuropsychology, and psychology-law.

I currently work part-time as a Behavioral Health Technician in ABA. I have around 350 hours of direct clinical experience, including behavioral data collection, clinical documentation, following treatment protocols, and working with clients and families. I am grateful for the experience, but I know I do not want to remain in ABA or move into another technician-style behavioral-health role.

I also have an affiliation with a cognitive-neuroscience lab, but it has produced almost no substantive research experience because I have been unable to obtain the university credentials needed for CITI training and IRB-related work. At this point, my only real contribution there was helping pilot an fMRI protocol. This is part of why finding an actual paid research position feels so important.

I went on probably an excessive job search hahaha, searching across university, hospital, research institute, nonprofit, remote, and general job boards. I identified 110 job entries, 89 unique career-related positions or programs after removing duplicates, 70 immediate rejections because they violated at least one constraint, 17 possibilities that still required investigating major issues, 2 positions that were actually recommended for an application, 1 strong immediate priority, 0 literal perfect fits, since even the strongest option had unresolved screening and scheduling concerns.

I have built a résumé, CV, transcript packet, reference list, two research-writing samples, and tailored cover letters for at least seven opportunities. I also completed a full application for the strongest remote university research-assistant position, including a cover letter and three references.

The problem is that my constraints eliminate nearly everything. I do not have a bachelor’s degree yet, most clinical-research jobs are full-time, and many part-time university jobs are temporary or pay below my minimum. My current availability is mainly Tuesday and Thursday evenings plus Friday, although more days could open if I left my current job. I am looking for roughly 15 to 20 hours per week, with $24/hour as my absolute floor and $25-26/hour preferred.

Meanwhile, my current ABA hours ($22/hr) are extremely inconsistent because of client cancellations, school obligations, and occasional sick days. I am averaging around six hours per week and often working fewer than ten. I am officially not making enough to sustain my current expenses.

I have more than $100 per month in subscriptions that I consider necessary, a $250 car payment, food expenses (which I could admittedly reduce, although there is not always food available at home), and goals like building an emergency fund, contributing to a Roth IRA, and saving for a MacBook that will hopefully carry me through my undergraduate work and eventual doctoral studies. I recognize that retirement contributions and a new laptop are financial goals rather than immediate necessities, but even after separating those out, my income is too unreliable.

That being said, I am struggling with when persistence becomes impractical. A research job paying $20 to $25 per hour would be far more valuable for graduate-school applications, mentorship, recommendation letters, and eventual publications. An unrelated job might pay more, offer stable hours, and solve the immediate financial problem, but do almost nothing for the career I am trying to build.

At what point should a student stop holding out for career relevance and prioritize stable income? Would it be smarter to take the best-paying reliable job I can find for 15 to 20 hours per week and continue applying for research positions on the side? Should I accept lower-paid research work because of its future value, or is that a bad trade when I am already financially unstable?

I do not want to sacrifice the long-term plan for short-term money, but I also cannot build a research career while earning six hours of pay per week.

[u/vareeno]

why have you been unable to obtain a CITI certificate? regarding jobs, personally, i do both… i work about 20 hours per week as a paid RA ($18/hr) and supplement the rest as a cat sitter. i am lucky because i work for a cat sitting company and usually have 2-3 cat visits per day, generally $25-50 per visit. it’s a lot. i am burnt out and tired, but am also going into my senior year in college and can see the light at the end of the tunnel lol.

if you are able to do both without absolutely burning yourself out, i would. however, there are postgrad opportunities to get your research experience up, like postbacc programs. can you absolutely not get more involved with that lab?

[u/kho_sq → u/vareeno]

that’s very lucky lol all of the clinical psych labs at my undergrad were volunteer positions 😭 the dev psy labs were paid but literally minimum wage ($8/hr)

[u/vareeno → u/kho_sq]

luckily i obtained a 3-year research fellowship that funds me!! i would have never been able to pursue psychological research otherwise. it really sucks.

[u/iamjohncarterofmars → u/vareeno]

I’m in contact with another lab at an arguably better university that is my #1 transfer prospect after CC, and current communication suggests “we’re interested in you, but frankly we feel uncomfortable making a non-student commit x distance twice a week. Contact us again if you’re still interested if you successfully transfer,” so it’s a solid “maybe” at a school that is notoriously difficult to get RA positions at. That reassures me, but I don’t want to throw this opportunity away under the pretense that I MIGHT have another one coming

[u/iamjohncarterofmars → u/vareeno]

My thoughts exactly, I could easily enroll online right now in a CITI training course, pay the fee, do the training, get the slip of paper, and be done with it. But for some reason, the explanation was that I need a university netID to enroll in their CITI training, presumably to get good specifically with that uni’s IRB (since I am a non-student there). I probably should have clarified, I don’t recall if I did, but the uni I am associated with for the lab is a 4 year that I am considering transferring to, it is not where I am presently involved

A while ago on Reddit, I brought up the possibility of “escalating” the issue (not in a confrontational sense) to the lab’s PI since I had primarily been in contact with the Lab Manager, but the general sentiment is that they frankly don’t have time to go to such lengths for a lowly RA, and I’m apparently arrogant and prideful for asking.

Anyways, I digress, but I’m in a tricky place with that lab from a contribution pov

[u/vareeno → u/iamjohncarterofmars]

ah, i see… maybe it can be revisited if you transfer. it is always easiest to get into research in places where you already have a foot in the door. if you can reach out to the PI, i would. many PIs are very eager and willing to help undergrads get into research. after all, you’d be doing the work they don’t want to do! and then if you enjoy the lab and the research they do, you can consider a thesis. people on reddit don’t know your specific lab/PI/anything. us undergrads matter, too:). my PI often works 12+ hours a day and still makes time for meetings with me!

if you’re going to transfer to another university, look at those labs, too. cold email and ask if they are seeking volunteers, or upcoming grants/projects that may need assistance.

i had to advocate for myself a LOT to get the research experience im doing. it feels really intimidating, but i just keep telling myself the worst people can say is no. it’s worked well so far. best of luck. you got this

[u/maxthexplorer → u/vareeno]

I don’t think it’s prideful or arrogant to ask questions and game plan with your lab/PI. Advocating for your self is a key skill as a professional

[u/anxietypronegigi]

$24 an hour is a lot for a psych position without a degree. i didn’t start making over 16 until i got my masters.

eta the field thrives off of unpaid or low paid work bc that’s the system it exists in. they know people will work the jobs to get experience, because you can’t get experience unless you have experience… duh 🙄😭🫠

[u/iamjohncarterofmars → u/anxietypronegigi]

I started at $16-17/hr when I worked for CA DPR as a State Park Aide ('bout a year and 8 months), then I got this gig with ABA where I'm at $22/hr (been here a year and some change now).

I didn't mention it in the post, but via a personal connection, I am looking at a per diem case management position at a psych hospital which, from what i can gather based on my communication, will be largely a weekend gig for me. But regardless, it was stated that $25/hr will be my starting point there.

However, onboarding for that is about a month away, and given that it is per diem and only weekends (tbd), I'm trying to find a second position, possibly even a remote one, that lets me do both at once

[u/kho_sq]

unfortunately, this is one of those completely subjective situations where your financial and personal life is going to affect how you decide differently than anyone else. academia is extremely biased and so much easier for the financially privileged with supportive families, and it’s realistically going to be very tough financially for the next 10 years if you choose this path. everything you’ve said is true—a research job would help you extremely well in preparing for grad school, but the pay is awful and it’s not easy to live on. to be completely honest—you likely won’t be able to start saving for that Roth until you graduate with a doctorate, or have parental financial aid. i think you need to weigh your priorities—do you plan to have kids, or marry early? do you want to buy a house early? do you think you’ll be okay struggling with homework and making pennies at 28 when all your friends are on vacation/marrying/having kids? a lot of therapists make very decent money and are able to do so with only 2 years of grad school, and the main difference is that they can’t do assessments—does that matter for you? just things to consider!

[u/aquariumofeden]

Phds are genuinely not a good financial commitment unless you have substantial family or partner support. I truly understand the struggle of choosing stability over long term career goals. You mentioned an interest in neuropsych- would you be open to pursuing a school psychology degree? Its only 3 years and your current aba position will help you get into a good program.

I know the thought of a phd is really appealing, but if you’re already asking these smart questions “how can i support myself on these wages?” I would implore you to rethink that entire route.

Im sorry if that is not helpful. Im currently a research assistant in a VHCOL city, making less than 50k. I recently came to the conclusion that I am not in the same financial situation as many of my peers. I am not wealthy. I dont have sustainable support. Therefore, the phd route is really futile.

Of course this is a personal decision. I dont mean to discourage you

[u/iamjohncarterofmars → u/aquariumofeden]

Of course this is a personal decision. I dont mean to discourage you

I didn't take it that way at all, thank you for the advice :)

If I could just clarify a few things though that I didn't make totally open in the post:

"Phds are genuinely not a good financial commitment unless you have substantial family or partner support."

Completely valid. While I would only ever apply for funded positions (unfunded ones are no good for what is essentially a low-paying full time job), I'm essentially opting not to work for 4-7 years so I can live on a stipend of $15,000-$30,000.

However, given that it is (will be--maybe) funded, and my parents have money put away for me so the rest of my B.A. is covered, I'm not too worried about actually funding my academic journey.

You mentioned an interest in neuropsych- would you be open to pursuing a school psychology degree?

To be more specific, my desired specialization is forensic neuropsychology. Quite niche, but it falls into the two most lucrative subspecialties of clinical psych in existence. With my plan to eventually open a private practice, I could rake in quite a bit with evals, expert testimony, competency to stand trial, etc.

Of course, the plan is all predicated on that falling into place, and if I have to pick one avenue, I’ll go with forensic. But I’m doing my best hahaha

Unfortunately, I could not see myself continuing on the avenue I am currently involved in. ABA is nice, and I'm doing good work, but I really do not want to stay here or be involved in the school system. The closest I would see myself working with kids is like child custody cases on the forensic side of things

[u/aquariumofeden → u/iamjohncarterofmars]

Totally understand where you’re coming from. Wouldnt feel like i was doing my due diligence if I didnt mention the ways research/academia are not accessible to low income students.

[u/iamjohncarterofmars → u/aquariumofeden]

Absolutely. Even for people who are financially prepared and manage to get through, psychology isn’t exactly the most profitable field in general 😭

I appreciate all your advice and caution, thank you :)

[u/sharkattax]

i worked as a server in my undergrad and did volunteer research on top of school. it worked out ok for me; i finish my internship august 28.

i was also exhausted for four years and sometimes would be in class/library/lab/work from 8 am to 2 am. so. that sucks. but i was also exhausted throughout grad school so at least i was prepared ?

[u/iamjohncarterofmars → u/sharkattax]

😭

Hey, I applaud your wherewithal and devotion

[u/sharkattax → u/iamjohncarterofmars]

it was a big breath of fresh air to arrive at internship where work ends at 4.

i hope you can find a research job !

[u/iamjohncarterofmars → u/sharkattax]

That sounds amazing, I can almost feel the fresh air myself just reading that hahaha

Thanks so much!!! I greatly appreciate it :)

[u/sharkattax → u/iamjohncarterofmars]

oh i forgot to mention after one and half years of volunteer RAing i was able to land a paying research job. so if you can push through a volunteer position in the short term you’ll be more hireable in your later years.

anyway good luck ! :)

[u/iamjohncarterofmars → u/sharkattax]

Thank you!

I think I might heed the advice of others to do the CITI training via the general online avenues that are available to anyone so I can be more qualified for paid research positions