Tag Archives: Advice

Reflections on #APA2024 from APAGS Leaders, Volunteers, and First Time Attendees

Didn’t make it to APA 2024 in Seattle this year? Make sure to join us next year in Denver, CO! It is never too early to start planning — consider submitting a program proposal for a poster or session to APAGS. There may be a chance for you to receive a registration waiver as a first author of an accepted program or poster. Look for information on the APAGS Call for Proposals coming out in the Fall.

Here are some reflections from our APAGS members about their time at APA2024.

Karla Giron, APAGS Ambassador

“Browsing through Browsing through the convention agenda days before it started, I was excited at the thought of meeting like-minded individuals, seeing plenty of innovative research ideas, and being surrounded by the buzz of energy from the APA convention. This would be my first time in Seattle and my first time attending an APA convention!”

Some of my Convention highlights:

Erasure and Consequences: The Hidden Toll of Marginalized Psychologists’ Exclusion

A Critical Conversation led by Dr. Konjit Page from Fielding Graduate University in which Dr. Page discussed her experience taking and teaching the History & Systems course required of clinical/counseling psychology programs. She notes that the curriculum is largely outdated and omits the impact of psychologists from marginalized communities. Omitting these individuals hinders the development of psychologists, inhibits growth within the field of psychology, and fails to address the needs of BIPOC communities.With these concerns in mind, Dr. Page restructured her course to center BIPOC psychologists from the last 20 years who have made significant contributions to the field.

Grant Writing for Graduate Students: Identifying Opportunities and Crafting Competitive Applications

This session provided advice on how to apply for grants as a graduate student. This session was so packed that attendees were standing to the side and even sitting on the floor. I believe this speaks to the importance of grant funding availability to graduate students!

Some helpful tips I gathered from the session:

  • Do not limit yourself to psychology grants, as many other grants may fit your specific research interests. Search also for similar topics, like mental health, or specific methodologies that apply to your research.
  • Utilize search engines to your advantage – search for program announcements (PAs) and requests for proposals (RFPs)
  • Look at the CVs of people you admire and see what grants they have received!
  • The APAGS Psychological Science Research Grant (PSRG) is a great opportunity for funding! – https://www.apa.org/about/awards/apags-science?tab=1 

Some other activities/events that inspired me:

  • Volunteering for Division 17’s Liberation Lounge
  • Attending Division 44 poster sessions
  • A symposium on documenting immigrant trauma and another on advancing social equity in psychological science. 
  • Meet Your Leaders events were a great opportunity to meet other psychology graduate students outside of my home program and learn about student leadership opportunities.
  • And off course I also strolled through the Solutions Center – an enormous space filled with booths, books, activities, and all kinds of giveaways.

I had a great experience at the 2024 APA Convention and will be looking forward to APA 2025 in Denver, CO!

Matt Hutnyan, APAGS Science Committee Member

“In August, I attended the APA annual convention for the first time. It was an excellent opportunity to meet leaders in our field, learn about advancements in psychological science, share research and professional knowledge, and connect with many peers who are engaged in inspiring research, advocacy, and clinical work.”

Some highlights included hearing from keynote speakers on important topics such as loneliness and artificial intelligence, engaging in conversations with early career psychologists, and enjoying the beautiful Pacific Northwest landscape and the city of Seattle.

Sitting in my hotel room after a long three days, I jotted down a few takeaways from my experience to share with the APAGS community:

1. Diversify your itinerary. As is true in investing, diversifying your itinerary is key to a successful convention experience. APA offers a wide variety of programming — opportunities to hear about cutting edge research, network with other students, professionals, and community members, build skills, engage in critical conversations, and so on. For those who are research-oriented like me, it can be tempting to focus on keynotes, symposia, and poster sessions. I also talked with folks who were most excited to socialize and engage in informal networking and professional development opportunities. Balance is key. Although I went into APA most excited for specific divisional events and talks focused on research and clinical practice, I thoroughly enjoyed social hours and learned a lot at informal discussions about professional issues in psychology.

2. Don’t overcommit. When APA publishes the full program, it can be overwhelming. There are hundreds of events. With so much programming, it can be easy as an eager first-time attendee to fill every hour of the day. The initial draft of my itinerary, for example, had me in a chair from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on the first day of the convention. As I quickly realized, convention is tiring. By noon, I was ready for a break. Actively listening, talking, presenting posters and papers, and walking around all day can take a toll physically and emotionally. It’s crucial to build in time to relax, eat, have a coffee break, go for a walk, connect with friends, browse the exhibitor and APA booths, and to explore the city. I would recommend anchoring your schedule around your presentation(s) if you have any and choosing a few nonnegotiable sessions each day that excite you the most. Let the rest of your schedule be flexible and build in time for yourself.

3. Take a chance. The thought of engaging with hundreds of people can be overwhelming for most of us. Creating balance in your itinerary and space for yourself to rest, relax, and reflect may reduce stress and anxiety that you might experience during the convention. It is also important to believe in yourself and to take chances with the goal of making the most of your time. Introducing yourself to someone new, asking for someone’s email, going to a session outside of your primary area of study, or asking a question during a presentation may be daunting. Exploring discomfort with these sorts of actions may be helpful and engaging in them can create unexpected connections and opportunities. For example, I attended a speed-mentoring event hosted by a division that I’m not a member of. I was nervous and didn’t know what to expect. I even considered not attending at the last-minute. To my surprise, I had mutual connections with some of the mentors, learned a ton about career development, and met leading professionals I wouldn’t have otherwise. Stepping outside of your comfort zone can create exciting opportunities, especially in the context of APA where there are so many people to meet and so much to learn.

APA 2025 will be here before you know it. I look forward to another great convention next year in Denver (August 7-9), and I hope to see you there!

5 Tips to Start Your Graduate School Year Off Strong

By Ashley Wojcik

The beginning of a new school year can bring about a mix of emotions. It is normal to feel excited about the start of a new chapter, but also anxious for what is ahead. Graduate school specifically invites financial, social, personal, and intellectual challenges that can be difficult to manage. In this post, we have compiled some tips for surviving and thriving in a new year of graduate school. 

  1. Communicate With Your Support System Before Starting School 

Before going into a new or stressful environment, it can be helpful to talk with your family and friends about how you are feeling and what they can expect in terms of your availability. Some people struggle to garner support from those around them in their pursuit of graduate education, so you should be prepared for those difficult conversations. Remember to be honest about why it is important for you to go back to school, what you hope to accomplish, and how they can best support you. 

  1. Prepare for a Busier Schedule 

Going back to school as a graduate student can be a different experience than your undergraduate years. In many cases, you may have already spent time working and will have to readjust to the academic lifestyle. If you have a family or children, this can be another commitment to juggle. Even if you have gone straight into graduate school, you may find that the combination of research, courses, and other responsibilities such as being a TA is a heavier load than you experienced as an undergraduate. It is important to set realistic expectations so you can be kind to yourself. Forgive yourself in advance for the late nights and busy days, while also remembering to build in some time for self-care.  

  1. Give Yourself Grace in the Beginning 

Summer breaks notoriously lead to some loss of information learned in the previous school year. This depletion only increases if you have taken more time off from school. When starting graduate school, you should be ready for an adjustment period academically. Prepare yourself to endure a learning curve in the beginning and to allow yourself time to review previous material before you can learn new concepts.  

  1. Understand That Student Life Has Changed 

If you spent time out of school, you may quickly recognize that things have changed since you were last a student. Student culture, expectations, and resources are changing all the time. Additionally, the graduate student experience is inherently different from the undergraduate, so even if you went straight into graduate school, you should prepare for those differences before you begin. For example, many people complete their graduate degrees while working or juggling other things, so the schedule may be different than you are used to. Your curriculum may be more research-based, with smaller classes, and closer connections to your professors than you were used to at the undergraduate level. 

  1. Keep an Open Mind 

Like anything else, your mind is subject to change in grad school, and you should be open-minded when going into graduate studies. Your area of focus may shift or change completely through your education, and you should be prepared for that and welcoming to it. After all, that is the benefit of a graduate education. The stress you endure is the cost of the knowledge you gain about yourself and the impact you want to have on the world. 

Supporting Transgender and Gender Nonconforming Colleagues and Clients: Why It’s Essential and How to Start

By Liz Deibel, APAGS Committee on Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity Member

(Curious to learn more about this topic? Check out the APAGS upcoming webinar: Impact with Pride: Leveraging Political Resources to Thwart Anti-LGBT Laws. Register here.

The United States can be a really scary place for individuals of sexual orientation and gender diversity, particularly in the current political climate and rise of anti-trans legislation sweeping the country. It can be difficult for Transgender and Gender Nonconforming (TGNC) students to continue going about their daily responsibilities, as well as the clients we are working with. During this stressful time, it is important that both those of us in the LGBTQ+ community and our allies come together to support each other and advocate for equal rights. With each day, more states are attempting to strip the rights of LGBTQ+ people, particularly transgender and nonbinary individuals. If you know of a colleague or classmate who is being affected by the changing legislation, it may be helpful to reach out to them and ask if there is anything you can do to support them. 

How to Support TGNC Colleagues?

Graduate school is tough enough as it is without political strife piled on top of everything else. It is important that allies or privileged members of the LGBTQ+ community participate in advocacy to help protect their peers’ rights and safety. Emailing your representatives, signing petitions, and sharing resources can be a quick way to contribute to building protections for transgender and nonbinary community members. Additionally, encouraging professors or program directors to incorporate education on LGBTQ+ psychology can increase the number of gender-affirming psychologists going into the field, leading to more support and strength in numbers in the years to come.

Outside of the professional sphere, it can be really encouraging to simply check in with individuals in your life who identify as LGBTQ+ and ask how they are doing and if they need a supportive friend to talk to. Many queer folks feel frustrated with how little these discussions are occurring outside of LGBTQ+-majority spaces, and showing awareness of what is going on and how much it is affecting people’s mental health can provide validation to their experiences.

How to Support TGNC Clients?

The American Psychological Association has released a list of guidelines for working with LGBTQ+ clients, divided into sexual orientation diversity and gender diversity. Many of these guidelines touch on understanding the differences between biological sex, gender identity, and gender expression. They also acknowledge intersectionality, the way that gender and sexual orientation intersect with other facets of identity such as race, ethnicity, religion, and socioeconomic status. It is essential that psychologists understand the ways in which their implicit biases and the power dynamics in society influence the way of life for TGNC people. 

Psychology as a field needs to continue adapting to the changing times to ensure that we can provide affirming and compassionate care. In addition, individuals within our field should continue to address their own unconscious biases and prejudices about gender and sexual orientation to avoid bringing them into the room with a client. At practicum sites, students can initiate conversations about gender-affirming care and ways to ensure the site is adhering to professional guidelines and standards of care for TGNC clients.

In the same way that showing awareness of the situation with colleagues can be validating, it can have the same effect with clients. If the clinician can take the onus to approach the topic, even though it can be uncomfortable to bring up, it removes that additional responsibility from the client’s plate and acknowledges that you see them as a piece of a larger system. Clients do not exist in a vacuum, and being able to address macro-level issues or concerns can instill a feeling of being seen that the client may really need at this time.

References:

Liz Deibel (she/her/hers)
Clinical Psychology Doctoral Student, Roosevelt University

Discussing Diversity for Internship: “Go find less.”

Georgina Sakyi, M.Ed.

The time has finally come for me to apply for internship, and true to my personality, I’d started well before I needed to – sometime around June. I’d spent the summer coming up with a list of sites I wanted to apply to, working on my essays, and attending virtual workshops and meetings created to help support students applying for Match this fall. While the “Autobiographical” essay caused some anxiety within myself and among my peers, there was also significant concern about the “Diversity” essay we’re required to submit.

For those less familiar, here is the updated prompt for the 2022-2023 cycle: “Describe how multicultural and diversity variables inform your case conceptualization and clinical practice. Please use de-identified case material to illustrate your approach.”

The main groan about this prompt is it’s broadness, but Dr. Grace Chen offers guidance on her website, Psych Grad Corner. She advises that it may be more helpful to go into depth about one or two themes regarding multiculturalism and diversity rather than trying to capture all of your thoughts about the topic in 500 words. Reading and preparing to address this essay prompt as a racially and ethnically minoritized student filled me with absolute dread. Of course, there were many themes that came to mind: cultural humility, intersectionality, unconscious bias, systemic oppression, etc. I wasn’t sure which direction I wanted to take it, but more than that, I was aware that whoever read my essay would know I was a minortiized student. My concern centered around how well my essay would be received. 

Could I be as bold as I wanted to be? Could I be honest and unapologetic about my strong emotions regarding multiculturalism and diversity in clinical practice? Would the reader think something along the lines of, “This student is passionate about this,” or, “This student might not be the right fit for our site.”? Like many others, I have worked on my personal and professional development in this area – getting comfortable with being uncomfortable, having uncomfortable conversations with my peers and my superiors, confronting my own internalized racism, thoughts, and behaviors that uphold white supremacy. In a lot of ways, leaders in our field have taken up the torch and are equally passionate about this work; however, a fear still lingers that this passion is hard for others to swallow. 

I’d attended a Q&A session about internship essays, and someone even brought up discussing diversity issues on interviews. They were particularly interested in figuring out where the “line” was: how forthcoming could they be about their perspective on systemic racism in their community? Should they be cautious when responding to questions? In other words, should we, as minoritized graduate students in psychology, “reel in” the intensity with which we relay our personal experiences and that of the communities we serve for the sake of being palatable or a Westernized conceptualization of “professional”? We ask these questions, knowing what we want the answer to be, because while we want to be true and authentic to ourselves, we want to match!

Herein lies the point of this blog post: I want to encourage you to be who you are and trust in the Match process. Just like when we all applied to our doctoral programs, the key word is “fit”. The right site for you is the site that is willing to include (not tolerate), support, and train the fullest, most authentic version of you. If you’ve never heard the phrase “you carry who you are wherever you go,” know this to be true: whatever you “reel in” for your essays or your interviews will surely come out during your training year. What you don’t want is to be matched to a site where tension and conflict rule your experience. You want to be sure that where you’re going supports your personal and professional journey. If for some reason a site makes you feel like your passion, your fire, your advocacy, your voice is too much, I hope you feel empowered to tell them, “Go find less.”

Resources:

References:

Chen, G. (2022, September 23). Essay 3: Diversity. Psych Grad Corner. Retrieved October 4, 2022, from https://psychgradcorner.com/2019/06/06/essay-3-diversity/ 

9 Tips for Navigating an In-Person Convention

By Amanda Wisinger, APAGS Convention Committee

A return to in-person conferences is likely bringing about a mix of emotions for students – both positive and negative. Many of us have spent the better part of two years attending classes and seminars behind computer screens. For some of us, our entire graduate school experience has been spent in virtual spaces with limited opportunities to connect in-person with our peers and professors. We have grown adept at navigating a variety of typically in-person events being held virtually, such as dissertation defenses, interviews for practicum and internship, and even professional conferences.

If you are attending the APA Convention in Minneapolis this August in-person, it may be your first in-person conference ever. Or, your first in-person conference in a few years. While virtual conferences provided us with many benefits (e.g., reduced travel and lodging costs, the ability to refill your coffee by simply taking a few steps into your kitchen, attending sessions in your sweatpants, etc.), there were undoubtedly many opportunities that virtual events did not provide – including the ability to form new professional relationships and contacts through in-person networking.

Here are my top tips to boost your networking skills and make the most of an in-person Convention:

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