Clinical Psychology

sciences, and business, to name a few, have offered
greater economic incentives.
What effect this change will have on the field is
unclear. However, it is clear that an increased
representation of women in clinical psychology
will serve to greatly advance the field because it
will bring a broader range of perspectives to

problems encountered in both clinical practice

and clinical research.

Training Models

Although the scientist-practitioner training model is

still dominant, it is under fire. New models have

reinforcing and supporting our research work, so I

have not changed with regard to my interests.

Looking back, what activities or experiences were the

most important for you in your graduate school

program?

I would have to say that the master’s thesis project has

been the most important so far. Doing the thesis, I

went from feeling very unsure about my skills, to feel-

ing quite confident about executing all parts of a

research project. It was an invaluable experience.

Any additional hints for those trying to make it

through graduate school in clinical psychology?

There are four things I would like to share, that I think

are really important:

1. KNOW WHAT YOU WANT GOING IN. More spe-
   cifically, some people want a lot of guidance from
   their advisors; others want to be left alone until
   they really need their advisors. And some advisors
   enjoy closely mentoring their students, while
   others prefer giving students more independence.
   It saves a lot of time and energy to identify what
   type of learner you are, what type of advisor
   would be best suited to your working style, and
   how you want to carry out your graduate school
   experience.


2. MAKE YOUR CULTURAL DIFFERENCES KNOWN (in
   a constructive way). Sometimes we differ cultur-
   ally, which is fine. It is particularly important to
   understand and to be sensitive to cultural differ-
   ences in psychology. But lines of thinking, work
   habits, and interpersonal exchanges can some-
   times be misunderstood, regarded negatively, and
   not appreciated as being related to cultural dif-
   ferences. If you ever feel that this is the case,
   never be afraid to tactfully and constructively
   share your thoughts about relevant cultural

differences. This will help everyone involved to be

more informed and to be a better psychologist.

3. KNOW ABOUT“SHINING STAR”SYNDROME.
   That is, a lot of students come into graduate
   school having been the shining star in their high
   school and college. All of a sudden, graduate
   school seems horrible, because everyone is smart
   and outstanding. Some people get really
   depressed, thinking they have lost their identity
   as the“smart one.”This is not so. We all build
   from each other’s abilities. It really is a time to
   learn about everyone’s individual skills, and how
   we can all work together to make the world a
   better place. With this in mind, please also
   remember the next point.


4. YOU ARE NOT AN IMPOSTER. I definitely have felt
   intimidated sometimes, and like my colleagues
   have a better feel for how to do things, or how to
   go about life in graduate school. The truth is that
   everyone has a lot to learn. Never be afraid to
   clarify things you do not completely understand.
   You will learn and grow as long as you do not
   give too much importance to your doubts.

Julia Martinez

CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY: AN INTRODUCTION 27