For many students in the midst of their graduate training, the decision to pursue a particular career track can be an exciting yet very stressful experience. Although many of us are faced with a variety of career options with their respective advantages and disadvantages, one option that seems to be gaining popularity is the consulting career track. The ability to provide specialized psychological services to Psychology, provides both practitioners and students with a variety of learning opportunities designed to stimulate the exchange of knowledge and consulting experiences as well as promote psychological research and professional development for consulting psychologists.
Given the wide range of psychology specialties in which consulting psychologists are trained (e.g., clinical, counseling, school/educational, industrial/organizational, etc.), Division 13 provides a range of learning experiences designed to accommodate the diversity of member interests. For example, members are offered opportunities to contribute to task forces and committees, organize an annual midwinter conference, publish the Consulting Psychology Journal: Research and Practice, and present professional papers, symposia, and programs at the midwinter and APA conferences. At both the midwinter and APA conferences, the division provides a hospitality suite where students can meet and learn from current members and professionals about the field of consulting psychology. In addition, the division offers a web-site where students can obtain information on the services consulting psychologists provide, the settings in which consulting psychologists work, and the essential training experiences of consulting psychologists. The web-site also provides information regarding upcoming conferences, instructions for membership, professional openings, and volunteer services.
Given the upcoming APA Convention in August, now is a great time to join Division 13 and learn about consulting psychology. The conference will offer students the opportunity to learn about a range of consulting psychology issues through committee meetings, symposia, invited addresses, social hours, a hospitality suite, poster presentations, and various workshops. The following is a sample of the topics that will be covered at the conference: forensic psychological consulting, executive coaching and leadership teams, ethical aspects of consulting practice, process and shadow consultation, web-based assessment tools, consulting in diverse environments, balancing work and family, and coping with job loss and outplacement.
As a first step for students interested in learning about consulting psychology and Division 13, I would recommend the web-site as a great source of program and membership information. In particular, a complete review of the division's activities at the upcoming APA Convention is offered to provide members information on the topics that will be covered for the professional development of consulting psychologists. Graduate students interested in joining the division will be particularly interested in a couple of the division's programs at APA. For instance, a conversation hour concerning "Graduate Training and Careers in Consulting Psychology: Arenas of Practice and a symposium titled " Recent Advances in Graduate Training for Consulting Psychologists will be provided to meet the needs of students considering consulting as a career.
For those students considering consulting as a career, I believe Division 13 is the best place to start. Join us and take advantage of the many learning opportunities that are provided. We look forward to meeting you at APA!
This article first appeared in the Summer 1999 Edition of the APAGS
Newsletter, Vol. 11(3)
