When can you say “I’m training to become..”

[Wordsofthewise]

Following a conversation with a friend about when you can start saying “l’m training/working towards” insert profession
Friend has an undergraduate and currently completing a masters degree in psychology with the intention of doing a PhD and qualifying as a child psychologist.

When asked what they are currently working on by someone, friend replied they are ‘in training to become a psychologist’.
I thought it’s more accurate to say that perhaps when doing the PhD but friend feels they are working towards the goal now so their currently in training.

It was just a casual/pleasant discussion and it got me wondering what others thought.

Yabu- it is ok to consider doing a Masters in Psychology with the intention of becoming a psychologist as in training/working towards

Yanbu- only when you are doing a training program/phd can you say you are in training.

l’m training/working towards
I think these are different things. My oldest friend decided she wanted to be a pharmacist when she was 12. By 15 she was working towards that by getting a Saturday job in a pharmacy and picking the right A levels. She wasnt training for it till she was 18 and beginning her MPharm.

I think what friend said is fine. She needs masters to be a psychologist so is training to be that. Obviously she may not end up qualified but it’s how she sees her career progression.
Similar scenario would be trainee solicitor. You traditionally did law degree (or degree and law conversion) then postgraduate legal practice course then 2 years on the job training as trainee with a law firm. If someone asked during postgraduate course then saying I’m training to be a solicitor wouldn’t be unreasonable. Lots did the postgraduate course then couldn’t get the training contract with a firm so wouldn’t actually qualify but it’s not wrong to say that’s why you are doing the course - it’s a course chosen because you are working towards that profession.

I agree with you. I did a degree in the profession I’m training in and was really difficult after university to find a training placement.
And many never do. There were over 100 applicants for my post so I was really lucky to get it.

It was just a casual/pleasant discussion yet you've started 2 threads on it ??

I think what the friend said was normal and reasonable. They are doing a qualification that takes them towards becoming a psychologist, therefore they are training to be a psychologist. It’s weird that you’re questioning it.