Balancing Job Satisfaction Needs with Workplace Expectations: implications for school psychology training

Year: 2022

Issue: Vol. 39 Issue. 1

Journal Name: School Psychology Training and Pedagogy

Title: Balancing Job Satisfaction Needs with Workplace Expectations: Implications for School Psychology Training

Citation: VanVoorhis, R. W., Miller, K. L., & Miller, S. M. (2022) Balancing Job Satisfaction Needs with Workplace Expectations: Implications for School Psychology Training. School Psychology Training and Pedagogy, 39 (1), 37-49. 

Abstract:   Authors report findings from a survey completed by 90 school psychology interns from a midwestern state about their perceptions and expectations related to employment in school psychology. Results include ratings and rankings of essential job satisfaction facets: interns reported opportunities to practice in an ethical manner, job security, and working conditions as the top three most important job satisfaction facets. Interns also reported salary, geographic preferences, role opportunities, and work hours/contract length as important job satisfaction considerations. Authors present four main recommendations for school psychology trainers and recommend for trainers to assist interns to critically examine their job satisfaction needs in the context of realistic workplace expectations. Authors argue that these objectives can be accomplished through more comprehensive training, challenges to unrealistic beliefs, advocacy efforts, individual supervision support, and broader clinical training opportunities.

Keywords:  school psychology, job satisfaction, school psychology training, work values, and workplace expectations

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