Would you take a pay cut for a job that looks worse on paper? Sometimes the move that feels like a step backwards is exactly what your career needs next. In this episode of Psychology, Actually, Dr Marianne Trent explores when a sideways or seemingly backwards career move, like dropping from a Band 5 to a Band 4 assistant psychologist role, could actually help you grow. Drawing on a real Reddit case study and her own career journey, including nearly two years spent away from psychology altogether, Marianne unpacks how to weigh pay, experience, wellbeing and life circumstances when deciding your next move. She shares a practical framework for working out what you're really optimising for, whether that's money, learning, time or relationships, plus reflective questions to help you decide with confidence.

#CareerAdvice #AssistantPsychologist #ClinicalPsychology

Highlights

00:00 Introduction - When a step back moves you forward
01:15 Why I made this episode - The Reddit post that inspired it
02:28 The Band 5 to Band 4 AP dilemma explained
04:05 Have you reached a plateau in your current role?
07:12 Energy, grief and life circumstances - when you can't do more
09:30 Money, cost of living crisis and travel expenses
11:55 My 2 years away from psychology - home care to office temping
15:40 Banding isn't everything - Band 4 vs Band 5 AP roles
18:42 What are you optimising for? Money, learning, time, wellbeing
21:10 How to manage your six career priorities
22:45 Breadth versus depth of experience for DClinPsy
24:50 Pay, overtime, shift allowances and pensions
26:30 6 Decision-making questions to ask yourself before you move
30:15 Final thoughts - Your life gets a vote too

🎧 Listen to the Pensions episode mentioned in this episode here: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/63990610-9942-4287-bcb6-cef9be814b2d/ Or Watch on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8lv5QFsNVCQ

Links:

🫶 To join my podcast membership to get early access to episodes and support the show head to: https://the-aspiring-psychologist.captivate.fm/support or to the Apple Podcasts App: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-aspiring-psychologist-podcast/id1605628278

📚 To check out The Clinical Psychologist Collective Book: https://amzn.to/3jOplx0

📖 To check out The Aspiring Psychologist Collective Book: https://amzn.to/3CP2N97

💡 To check out or join the aspiring psychologist membership for just £30 per month head to: https://www.aspiring-psychologist.co.uk/membership

🖥️ Check out my short courses for aspiring psychologists and mental health professionals here: https://www.aspiring-psychologist.co.uk/online-courses

Ask Marianne your most pressing psychology career question and she will send you a FREE bespoke reply! Grab your free psychology success guide here and fill in the most pressing concern box: https://www.aspiring-psychologist.co.uk (scroll to the bottom of the page)

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📱Connect socially with Marianne and check out ways to work with her, including the Aspiring Psychologist Book, Clinical Psychologist book and The Aspiring Psychologist Membership on her Link tree: https://linktr.ee/drmariannetrent

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⚠️ Disclaimer

This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical, psychological, or professional advice. Any actions taken based on this content are at your own risk.