When a Career Step Back Is Actually a Step Forward

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)

✍️ Get your FREE Supervision Shaping Tool now: https://www.aspiring-psychologist.co.uk/free-resources

📱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.

© Dr Marianne Trent

Mentioned in this episode:

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Exciting News! The OTM Programme is open! Check out my Bonuses!

Psychologists! What if you could earn money beyond trading your time for money? I'm Dr Marianne Trent, Clinical Psychologist, and I've been developing passive and recurring income streams since 2019. I have some exciting news…. Sophie Foote's One to Many programme is NOW OPEN for enrolment! It's designed to help you turn your expertise into scalable offers like courses, memberships and digital products. I completed the programme myself in 2022 and have since supported two cohorts of psychologists through their journeys. And if you join through my affiliate link, you'll receive Sophie's bonuses PLUS my exclusive support package at no extra cost! That includes six months of WhatsApp support, four group masterminds, masterclasses, personalised guidance, and a very special Fortnum & Mason treat! Enrolment closes Monday 16 November at 10pm. Find out more via my bonus page, linked in the description. Remember, you must purchase through MY link to receive my bonuses! 💜 I’m here if you have any questions! https://www.aspiring-psychologist.co.uk/sophie-foote-bonus