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 💬 To join my free Facebook group and discuss your thoughts on this episode and more: https://www.facebook.com/groups/aspiringpsychologistcommunity Like, Comment, Subscribe & get involved: If you enjoy the podcast, please do subscribe and rate and review episodes. ⚠️ 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: The Race to Recurring Revenue Challenge 2026 Could you earn money in ways that aren't directly tied to your time? Whether you're a psychologist, another professional, a business owner or simply someone curious about creating an additional income stream, this FREE four-day challenge could be a brilliant place to start! Race to Recurring Revenue, hosted by Sophie Foote, runs from 2–5 November 2026 and explores how you could develop ideas for passive and recurring income. Across four days, you'll explore: - Different ways to create income beyond one-to-one work. - How to develop an idea that could become a product, service or recurring income stream. - Ways to attract the right people and build trust. - How to start thinking about marketing and launching your ideas. It's completely FREE, with short daily training sessions and practical activities to help you get started. I completed the One to Many programme back in 2022, and it helped transform the way I think about my own business and career. I've since developed books, courses, memberships and other ways to share my knowledge beyond individual appointments. I'd love you to come along and explore what's possible for you too! Sign up for FREE using my link:* https://sophiefoote.com/landing-page?am_id=marianne4238 *This is my affiliate link. If you subsequently choose to purchase a paid programme through my referral, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. The challenge itself is completely free. The Race to Recurring Revenue Challenge 2026 Could you earn money in ways that aren't directly tied to your time? Whether you're a psychologist, another professional, a business owner or simply someone curious about creating an additional income stream, this FREE four-day challenge could be a brilliant place to start! Race to Recurring Revenue, hosted by Sophie Foote, runs from 2–5 November 2026 and explores how you could develop ideas for passive and recurring income. Across four days, you'll explore: - Different ways to create income beyond one-to-one work. - How to develop an idea that could become a product, service or recurring income stream. - Ways to attract the right people and build trust. - How to start thinking about marketing and launching your ideas. It's completely FREE, with short daily training sessions and practical activities to help you get started. I completed the One to Many programme back in 2022, and it helped transform the way I think about my own business and career. I've since developed books, courses, memberships and other ways to share my knowledge beyond individual appointments. I'd love you to come along and explore what's possible for you too! Sign up for FREE using my link:* https://sophiefoote.com/landing-page?am_id=marianne4238 *This is my affiliate link. If you subsequently choose to purchase a paid programme through my referral, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. The challenge itself is completely free.