The first day of the 2002 APA Convention, I hardly spoke to anyone. It seemed like everyone knew each other except me. Although I knew this irrational anxiety-produced thought was not true, I still felt isolated and overwhelmed. I wandered around and traversed the long hallways back and forth from presentation to presentation. The presentations were informative and worthwhile, for the most part. I spotted a few “celebrity” caliber psychologists. I was stunned to see faces I had recalled from textbooks attached to bodies, walking around at the Convention. Still, I left exhausted and a bit deflated. My high hopes of big-time networking at APA were seriously diminished.

The second day, I discovered the social events and hospitality suites. It was sort of an “aha moment” for me. “If only I had known about the socials yesterday,” I thought. “Of course”, I realized, “the place to be is where the free food and drinks are.” Now I know. A sense of excitement rushed in as I found myself meeting new people, discussing ideas and opportunities, and even seeing a few familiar faces. I had finally begun to navigate the vast network of APA in my own little way. At one time, intimidated by the massive association, I had no idea how to actualize my professional networking goals. Like any new experience, one must dive in and try at some point rather than simply contemplating what it would be like. The alluring thought of being personally connected to APA is now becoming more of a reality.

Once I found my way around the convention and had made contact with a few colleagues from CSPP, I really enjoyed the process of being there. I remember walking the wide corridor bridging the buildings, accompanied by thousands of convention attendees. A feeling of belonging and purpose came over me. I felt privileged to be there--a part of a bigger whole of a community of psychologists, united in our work, guided by the essential aim of helping people, wonderfully diverse in our areas of interest, and all drawn together into one nexus.

I stand on the precipice of a career as a clinical psychologist. At the convention, I was struck by the awareness of those who have come before me. I overheard banter between psychologists who have been practicing for decades. I beheld the faces of these individuals, and probably projecting some degree of idealization, saw their wisdom and confidence. I realized that someday, I will stand where they stand, in circles of seasoned psychologists. I will be attending my tenth or twentieth convention, running into old friends and colleagues, perhaps even presenting, who knows? I will look upon the faces of those that will follow me, and see that same lost yet expectant look in their eyes. This premonition I had that day made me smile. I stood there, absorbing the contagious energy of that moment, and taking in the experience of feeling connected to a mass of moving strangers.

With this new perspective, I found the following days at the convention to be pleasurable (with the exception of sore feet from all that walking around in new heels!). Getting involved has been a vague intention since my first year at CSPP, LA. I kept hearing about the importance of doing so from older colleagues and professors. I fully agreed that it would be a worthwhile endeavor, and joined some professional associations, including APA. I volunteered at a few LACPA Conventions, but did not go any further. Thus, my good early intentions did not begin to blossom until now, my fourth year. Still, I planted a few networking seeds even from the little amount of volunteering and introducing myself that I did. For instance, I first met Miguel Gallardo, Psy.D. by volunteering for LACPA. At the APA Convention, I happened to attend a presentation about finding mentors that he was presenting. I was elated to see someone I recognized. I approached him after the presentation, and to my pleasant surprise, he remembered me. We had a lovely discussion in which I gained some valuable tips on how to get more active in APA, and established contact for the future. He said he would let me know if any opportunities arose, and I was so grateful. The presentation was truly effective--I had found a mentor right there! So, here I am, writing this article for APA that Dr. Gallardo offered for me to write. His offer was a task requested of him by his mentor, as a way of increasing his involvement and contributions to the profession. Hence, the chain of connection in mentoring and networking is passed along.

In getting involved, it is difficult to know where to start, as I shared with Dr. Gallardo that day. I used to be quite introverted. Fortunately, the extravert in me emerges when she needs to, but it is not always easy. As I discovered, you have to force yourself to talk to people, even if you are nervous and do not know what to say. I never imagined that getting involved would actually be fun. I had always viewed it as one more added pressure on my time, to which I did not want to commit. Now I see networking as a truly enjoyable and vital activity in order to thrive in this field. Like many lessons, I wish I had learned this one sooner! Still, I do not regret my slow start, because that was the pace that was comfortable and ultimately effective for me. As I conclude, I recall the good advice I have heard from others about professional involvement. If I could have told myself what I know now, I would say that becoming active in APA is not just a crucial professional experience, it is also a rewarding adventure. Oh yeah, and I would bring an old pair of well-worn shoes to the convention!

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