Julia E. Cartwright, PhD (2024 Chair/Practice Representative); Jessica S. Reinhardt, PhD (2024 Vice Chair/Education Representative); Jacks Cheng, PhD (Public Interest Representative); Sarah W. Clark, PhD (Governance and Membership Representative); Ryan E. Flinn, PhD (SPTA Representative); Clifton A. Berwise, PhD (Divisions Representative); Dominique B. Chao, PsyD (Science Representative)
Staff Liaison(s): Zeljka Macura, PhD; Allison Gillens, MPS
One of CECP’s goals for 2024 was to promote and recognize the impact and professional work that Early Career Psychologists (ECPs) have been contributing to the field of psychology. The committee gave out their Convention Grant, Early Career Achievement Award, and Early Career Service Grants. CECP granted and recognized 25 ECPs for their significant positive impact on the field of psychology.
To publicize award winners, CECP participated in the APA’s PsycCareers job fairs by developing informational flyers based on the awardee’s expertise and career paths. These resources were posted on CECP’s resource website. Award winners were announced on the CECP’s ECP listserv and APA Community website. CECP has also worked to incorporate ECPs as speakers for CE presentations. The committee’s continued commitment to providing these awards and recognizing ECP leaders and the work they do within their communities allows them to engage, connect, and serve members as well as elevate the public’s understanding, appreciation, and utilization of psychology.
https://www.apa.org/education-career/development/early/committee/resources
Throughout the year, CECP has worked on organizing activities to continue to cultivate systems and connections with ECPs that provide a supportive community for them to network and receive professional development resources. Providing these opportunities for ECPs helps prepare the field of psychology for current and future opportunities and challenges.
At APA Convention, CECP sponsored six ECP focused programs that disseminated information about mentorship, networking, equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) initiatives, and career advice. Furthermore, CECP collaborated with various groups to hold events that would boost networking experiences for ECPs.
American Professional Agency sponsored ECP social hour
Association of State & Provincial Psychology Boards (ASPPB) sponsored ECP breakfast
American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP) coffee break
National Register sponsored “APA Committee on Early Career Psychologists/National Register of Health Service Psychologists Convention Travel Grant” Award Ceremony
With the goal of creating additional networking spaces outside of convention, the committee offered a networking break at Spring Consolidated with liaisons and ECPs involved on APA boards/committees and began connecting with ECPs through APA’s Community forum. CECP’s SPTA representative was involved in APA’s Practice and State Leadership Conference (PSLC) planning and helped lead ECP sessions during the event. From this event, an ECP SPTA listserv for these attendees was developed to continue the connections made at the conference.
In order to bolster CECP’s efforts to build a supportive ECP community, the committee collected data on ECPs serving on boards, committees, SPTAs, and Divisions. To enhance collaborations, create meaningful partnerships, and increase organizational effectiveness, the committee contacted these ECPs to offer CECP’s support.
Moreover, CECP has hosted two webinars that focused on career development and leadership opportunities. The “What I Wish Learned in Grad School” webinar received 438 registrants and focused on providing advice on topics that were often overlooked during graduate training. The “How to Get Involved in APA Leadership” webinar received 342 registrants and provided an opportunity for individuals to learn about APA governance and the benefits of joining an APA board/committee.
Finally, CECP has collaborated with APA’s Membership Office to improve communications with ECPs who newly joined APA and doctoral students who have recently graduated. The committee has updated welcome messages sent through APA to these new members by providing information about ECP specific resources.
To enhance mentorship opportunities for ECPs to connect with other professionals across various subfields of psychology, the committee created a mentorship directory that displays 26 mentorship programs across APA, APA Divisions, and state, provincial, and territorial psychological associations. This resource highlights APA as a leading voice for psychology in providing helpful tools and resources across various organizations.
https://www.apa.org/education-career/development/early/mentorship-opportunities