The Whole is Greater...

By Zoe Brew Summer 2011

I’ve never been overly-strategic. The politics of psychology (or any profession for that matter) didn’t excite me. I couldn’t think 12 steps ahead and anticipate what move would maximize my marketability. I’ve taken risks and jumped at opportunities, and I’d be lying if I didn’t confess that they are all neatly formatted in my CV, but what was the motivation? What was the endgame?

I’d like to think my decisions were driven by a desire for new experiences—that my education was not measured solely by grades and practicum placements, but rather by the changes that I saw in myself and how I think about what “we”do.

The internship application process changed my perception. My worth as a student, as a developing psychologist, and as a human being was bound tightly to an expectation that I had created and others had reinforced. It would all be for nothing if I didn’t secure an APA placement—my hard work and my sacrifices would somehow be lessened if I didn’t have that payoff.

Each person’s journey is different. We are all driven by individual ideas and goals. But somehow “different” highlights discrepancy. The manner by which we measured “worth” had become inextricably tied to one thing. It wasn’t about celebrating what made us unique, but whether or not we’d reached the zenith.

Landing an internship should not be the defining feature of our graduate careers, and we should not inadvertently devalue our accomplishments or those of others. In the heady wake of APA, CAPIC, and BAPIC applications, it is important to remember that while our experiences may not all look the same, they all have value.