Rebecca Richey, PsyD (2022 Chair/SPTA Representative); Jacks Cheng, PhD (2022 Vice Chair/Public Interest Representative); Joshua G. Kellison, PhD (Education Representative); Laura Dryjanska, PhD (Divisions Representative); Dante D. Dixson, PhD (Science Representative); Julia E. Cartwright, PhD (Practice Representative)
Staff Liaisons: Toni Minniti, PhD; Zeljka Macura, PhD; Allison Gillens, MPS
The Committee on Early Career Psychologists (CECP) represents the unique interests and concerns of early career psychologists, promotes their expertise, and fosters leaders with the passion and innovation to advance psychological advocacy, education, practice and science. CECP is guided by the following priorities: a) encourage ECPs to understand their civic responsibility to the field and society, including increasing engagement in leadership within APA and their communities, b) promote the financial wellness of ECPs, and c) promote the career and educational development of ECPs.
At the beginning of 2022, the committee and APA staff re-examined CECP awards and grants’ criteria and review process. The committee also brainstormed ways to further disseminate award and grant call announcements through diverse spaces and networks (e.g., SPTAs, Divisions, etc.). The committee gave out awards for their Convention Grant, Early Career Achievement Award, and Early Career Service Grants. CECP granted 20 ECPs an award. Providing these awards will continue to allow CECP to engage with and deliver value to APA members.
Throughout the year, CECP has worked on organizing activities to provide leadership and professional development opportunities for ECPs which help prepare the discipline and profession of psychology for the future. In collaboration with the APA Communications Office and the American Psychological Association of Graduate Students (APAGS), CECP hosted the virtual Emerging Leaders Network pre-convention event to incorporate career development opportunities and training for ECPs who were not able to attend APA Convention.
Programming included workshops focused on how to get involved in APA governance, mentorship, media and networking training, Q&As with the APA President, Chiefs, and CEO, as well as guidance about student loan forgiveness and licensing. At the APA Convention, CECP sponsored six ECP focused programs that provided information about mentorship; anti-racism efforts; equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) initiatives; and improving writing skills.
Furthermore, CECP developed the video series “How We Got Here?” where ECP guests discussed their career trajectories and shared advice on how to excel as an ECP within their respective fields. These video series are provided at APA’s PsycCareers virtual job fairs for ECP attendees who need guidance on various career paths in psychology.
Finally, the committee is revising their APA webpages to enhance the quality and accessibility of available resources developed for ECPs. Promoting these resources will reinforce APA’s standing as an authoritative voice for psychology as well as elevate the public’s understanding of, regard for, and use of psychology.
To enhance relations with APA groups and external associations, the committee has strategically discussed their liaison assignments and chosen relevant groups to interact with on a consistent basis. To improve communications with liaisons and potential collaboration opportunities between the groups, the committee has re-launched their CECP listserv that provides activity updates to their liaisons and surveyed liaisons about communication efforts.
Throughout these past few months, the committee has collaborated with several internal and external liaisons to help support the needs of ECPs. Specifically, at the APA Convention CECP collaborated with the following boards, committees, offices, and organizations to enhance ECPs’ convention experience:
Emerging leaders pre-convention week
Convention
Moreover, to promote CECP’s goal of recognizing the work of ECPs, the committee is coordinating with APA’s Communications Office on developing mechanisms to identify ECP experts across topics who can make significant contributions to APA media platforms. The committee is also working with APA Membership on ways of welcoming ECPs to APA and bringing awareness to ECPs about resources available for them to utilize as an APA member. Improving collaboration efforts among APA groups will help build a stronger organization and increase organizational effectiveness.