From Guided Tours to Choose Your Own Adventures:
A Student’s Perspective on the Importance of Getting Involved
Initially, I didn’t understand the urgency of the suggestion: “Join professional organizations, You’re the future, Be a part of the future.” In my first year of graduate school I felt like I was swimming as hard as I could to keep up with the present; the future would have to wait. I never questioned the significance of professional organizations and I certainly never doubted the importance of the future. I would join a professional organization eventually, but not now. I was just a first year, I had time.
Had I not been thrown into the carpool and taken to my first state association meeting, it would have taken a lot longer for me to understand the importance and value of being involved. Although there are many advantages of participating in professional organizations, there were three unexpected benefits that made a huge difference to me. First, meetings served as a great introduction to local professionals without the pressure of a forced networking setting. Shared goals and objectives led to a casual atmosphere in which old and new members comfortably interacted. Second, it’s great to be a student in a professional organization. Board members go out of their way to make students feel welcome, and questions are not only answered, but encouraged. Third, conversations with more experienced professionals can lead to amazing practical advice. I have excellent support from my professors and supervisors to guide me with theoretical questions. Yet on another level, it is nice to have access to concrete advice such as how to relocate to a new area, or how to prepare clients for your maternity leave.
I was very happy attending my State Psychological Association meetings. As I headed off to Chicago for the APA convention, I expected I would be equally pleased with my experience there. And I was, but for completely opposite reasons. In state association meetings, you are getting the guided tour. They hand you the agenda and you simply follow along. Involvement provides you with a very clear perspective of what is important to the leaders of the profession. At the APA convention, however, you choose your own adventure. Once the convention program book comes in the mail, you can create your own limitless schedule. From big name lectures, to symposiums of interest, to poster presentations on your dissertation topic, it’s your agenda to set. The freedom to decide provides you with the perspective of what is important to you.
By attending the state association meetings I gained an idea of where the profession is. By attending the national convention I developed an idea of where I was in relation to the profession. But most importantly, only through a combination of my experiences with both organizations, did I begin to formulate an idea of where the profession is in relation to where I would like it to go.
On the last night of the convention I was back in the hotel room with three other soon to be second years, and one said, “Alright, who’s up for Toronto!” Another roommate questioned, “Isn’t it a little early for that?” And the first replied, “No way, we’ve got to start planning now.”
It had taken the better part of a year, but we had finally learned it was time.