Postdoc Experience

walking path in nature with purple flowers on the side

Key Points and Tips

  • The postdoc selection process is more open-ended than internship – not every state requires a formal postdoc or postdoctoral training hours. This means you will have more options and can be more flexible in your timeline to licensure, but you also need to do your homework to understand licensing requirements for your situation. Some postdoc positions are offered outside the APPIC timeline, which essentially is like a job search – you keep applying until you find a good fit for you.
  • Most postdoc applications consist of your CV, cover letter, and letters of recommendation. Therefore, this application process will take considerably less time than the internship application process.
  • Because APA-accreditation of training programs is not as common at the postdoc level, there is more variation in the quality of training, so you want to do your due diligence in 1) identifying your training goals and needs (e.g., getting more specialized training vs. simply gaining more experience/hours) and 2) understanding what the postdoc program offers (i.e., are they providing formal training? Do they talk about supporting your professional development? Or are they mainly offering clinical supervision and that’s it?).
  • The Universal Psychology Postdoc Directory (UPPD) is a useful resource. This is a more comprehensive list than the postdoc programs listed in the APPIC directory.
  • Many application deadlines are in December and January, but many opportunities continue to arise throughout the spring and summer. If you are interested in being in a particular geographic location, join local psychological associations and their list-serves as many postdoc and job opportunities will be posted locally.
  • APPIC provides many resources (timelines, guidelines, webinars/recordings) about postdocs on its website.
  • Subscribe to the APPIC Postdoc list-serves – Postdoc News (strongly recommend) and Postdoc Network (optional).

Check out the Get Me Outta Here, Please! podcast episode on postdoc training for more info!