Monitor on Psychology - July/August 2012

Div. 52 (International), she gets firsthand access to ideas and people she might otherwise miss.

“APA is so big, it can be hard to find people working in the
same field, or who know about new publications,” she says. “In
52, I am surrounded by people with different backgrounds and
fields — but all of us are interested in international issues. It
helps me think more critically and holistically about my work.”
Division journals, newsletters and listservs give ECPs the
opportunity to share their own ideas as well, says Glazek.
“On the listserv, someone might ask about an eye-tracking
technique, or a good review of creativity in the workplace,”
he says. “If you can jump in, people will notice that you
helped out.” Listing your website in your signature and
linking to your online publications can also raise your
visibility, he adds.

Mentoring and leadership

APA divisions also offer opportunities to connect with mentors, with many groups offering formal programs that link ECPs with more established researchers. For example, Div. 31 (State, Provincial and Territorial Psychological Association Affairs) has launched a new ECP initiative, which includes a blog (www. apadivisions.org/division-31/news-events/blog/early-career), a Twitter feed (@APADivion31) and a mentoring program for ECPs interested in leadership positions, says ECP Committee

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Chair Shannon Kellogg, PsyD.

“We’re offering a path to go from state to national
leadership within APA, and that’s easier if you have a mentor
who can encourage you, give guidance, and introduce you to
others in executive positions,” Kellogg says. “Through Div. 31,
ECPs have a strong platform to advocate for issues that matter
most to them.”
Involvement at the national level can be enlightening as an
early career psychologist, Carr adds. “The more you know about
what’s going on in the field and how decisions are made in APA,
the more empowered you feel.”
To further empower ECPs, APA has encouraged divisions
to provide them with leadership opportunities and invited six
ECPs to participate in the January 2012 Division Leadership
Conference.

When ECPs speak up, more established psychologists take note, says Shamin Ladhani, PhD, who joined Div. 45 (Society for the Psychological Study of Ethnic Minority Issues) as a student and now serves as one of the division’s four elected members-at-large. She represents the Asian-American constituency and serves as the division liaison to other organizations that are involved in Asian-American psychology and social issues.

Division membership has benefited her professionally, most
recently when she was appointed to be the diversity council co-
chair of the medical center where she
works. “One of my charges is to develop
and implement culturally sensitive health
care, including community outreach,
associate relations and health literacy,
and that know-how comes directly from
my experience in 45,” she says.

Ladhani hopes to introduce new division members to the same benefits through events such as “virtual happy hours,” in which senior members will share advice on such topics as getting published and getting involved in APA governance.

Participating in division leadership often paves the way to national roles, says APA’s Jordan. “Every member of APA’s Board of Directors and most APA presidents have benefited by participation in the divisions,” she says. “They’re a good pipeline for leadership, particularly for those who enjoy the social and collegial aspects of the field. Being in a division brings you back into the community in a significant way.” n

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