The one challenge of graduate school that always seemed most ironic to me was that it is not until the end of graduate school do we realize that all that hard work and perseverance truly only gets us to a starting point. That is, finding a job. Now begins the real effort, the soul searching, and the determination needed to figure out what specific career path in psychology is both desirous and attainable. I have seen many of my cohorts trudge through the motions of graduate school, producing the required papers, passing comprehensive exams, all the while never really giving any thought to where they want to go everyday, and what they want to do after they get their doctorate.

Well, there is a relatively painless and possibly even fulfilling way to advance oneself toward the discovery of vocational bliss post-graduate while one is still in graduate school. Involvement in professional associations at the student level can benefit the graduate student in many ways. I am not suggesting that you spend twenty hours a week shooting for student chair of your favorite APA division (although it does not look bad on your vita). I am suggesting that a minimal amount of involvement in relevant professional organizations can have a major impact on your career path post-graduate in a multitude of ways. Also, membership fees for graduate students are minimal and worth the investment in your future many times over.

Oftentimes students are not exactly sure what job or even what post-doc is most fitting for them after graduation. Becoming involved in professional organizations can help identify what sections or divisions (which represent specialty areas) within associations are the best fit for your professional interests. You can attend to others’ professional style and their choices and see what most appeals to you. For example, if you thought you wanted to be a police psychologist, join the Division 18 section of Police and Public Safety Psychologists. See how it ‘feels’. Meet the people. Are these the type of professionals that are enjoyable to be around? Are they discussing the types of duties and professional issues that interest you? If not, you have learned a really inexpensive lesson. Do not focus on police psychology. By attending seminars and business meetings of professional organizations, you can also see how the inner workings of organizations function. This not only demystifies how committees and divisions work, but it also prepares you for what may be expected should you be called upon to serve in the future. Through such involvement you will also learn about the issues affecting your profession and have the opportunity to be personally involved in addressing them.

Being involved also means being aware. You cannot discover other professional organizations that may be a perfect fit for you if you are unaware of their existence. After becoming involved in my local psychological association, I learned about the American Psychological Association (APA). By attending APA divisional meetings I learned about the Society for Criminal Psychology, and so on and so on. APA is great, but there are other organizations, professional associations that you may not learn about until you attend divisional meetings for your specific areas of interest.

Of course there are always the lucrative and ever valued professional contacts to be made at association meetings. Coming from a business background one of the first things that struck me in psychology was that ‘networking’ is a dirty word. Well, it’s not. As a matter of fact it is essential. Seasoned professionals in psychology seem to love to help students, especially when they help those students that are visible at organizational meetings (i.e. volunteer monitors, student award winners, student presenters). It is much easier to talk to a professional about possible employment at then end of graduate school when that professional has seen you at the last three divisional or organization business meetings. It tells them you care and you are willing to learn about how things work.

Learning about other organizations and making contacts are just two of the many opportunities to be gleaned out of association involvement. Another benefit is money. Practically every professional organization, division, or section of an association has a student award to be had. Plus, awards are very attractive on a vita. This year, the Police and Public Safety section of Division 18 could not give the student award away. I know this because, as last year’s recipient I was given the opportunity to assist in selecting this year’s participant. However, no one sent in an entry.

Another major opportunity for students within organizations is the chance to make presentations. Posters are very beneficial because they require minimal speaking with maximum exposure. Not to mention that for student poster presenters the registration fee is waived at APA’s annual convention. Presenting a paper is also beneficial because you are given the opportunity to introduce yourself to a roomful of professionals who you want to be your future colleagues. Being visible at association meetings means professionals can remember you. After all, it is hard to remember someone to whom you have never been introduced.

Along with presentations come publications. Many professional members are willing to collaborate on articles with students who share their professional interests. The guidance they provide in the publication process is invaluable. It is also possible that you may be approached for a paper or poster you are presenting and asked to submit it to the organization’s journal, particularly those journals with a student section. Most associations and/or divisions have newsletters that have student sections waiting for articles to be submitted. Take every chance to publish at this early stage in your career, particularly if it is in an area that is your future specialty.

Finally there is student status. That fabulous standing of being both non-intimidating and naively astute. Through student status I was able to approach renowned psychologists in my professional specialty area and glean insight and opportunity. Through student status I was able to attend closed door meetings, over-booked seminars (often at no cost), and medical grand rounds through the advocacy of supervisors and mentors. I suggest doing informational interviews with the leaders in your specialty area of interest. Do externships for free that may not benefit you with the immediate gratification of credits hours, but will provide you with insight into the specialty area that you are willing to devote years of graduate school training. For example, my most rewarding externship was done early in my graduate school training with the Baltimore Police Department’s Homicide Unit. I received neither pay nor credit hours. I had to talk my way in because no previously established internship program for psychology students was available. That training experience has opened more doors for me than any credited externship or curriculum course.

In summary:

1. Use professional organization involvement to discover specialty areas that truly interest you. It’s an inexpensive way to learn how to focus your current field of study.
2. Notice the professionals with whom that you feel comfortable. There’s a reason! Attend to their style and their professional choices. Seeing what works for others can help you find what works for you.
3. Don’t wait until post-graduation to become involved in a professional organization. If you wait till you have more time, you’ll never do anything more than minimal work (which often equates to a minimal career). The earlier you join, the further your career will be advanced.
4. Don’t join many organizations for the sake of joining. Your vita will look confused, as will you. Join the ones that intrigue you. If you don’t like it, don’t stay.
5. Seek out organization and divisional awards. I guarantee you they are out there…sometimes completely untapped.
6. Present as often as you can. Nothing can buy you exposure to your future colleagues like student presentations. Most associations or divisions are eager for student involvement. Approach them with a presentation idea, it might just get you noticed.
7. "Publish or perish." Meeting professionals can often lead to collaborative efforts for publication, not to mention their guidance and advocacy in the publication process.
8. Use your student status to do informational interviews and relevant internships (even if it is for free and no credit). Use this status to talk your way into closed doors. You will learn first hand if you like the area of interest and make some rewarding contacts.
9. Don’t assume that, since it’s never been done, it can’t be done…and don’t always take no for an answer.

Having the gift of student involvement in professional organizations is an opportunity that far too few students take advantage. If you are not sure of the specialty area that you want to ultimately pursue, professional associations are a perfect way to learn what feels right for you. If you know your destined field of interest, pursue student involvement with relevant associations with all the voracity and tenacity you would expect to put forth after graduation. You will be miles ahead when its time to acquire the perfect post-doc or post-graduate job. Trust me!