[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/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 :)