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| A Student's Guide for Getting the Most Out of AAPA Conventions Written by Alvin N. Alvarez, Ph.D. & Lynda E. M. Yoshikawa,
M.A. in March 2003 Should I go? Do I want to spend the money? I wonder if anyone else is going? Sound familiar? If you’re like most students, your money is tight and you’ve debated about the value of attending conventions. They do take time, money, and energy !! So, to help you to answer these questions, AAPA has developed this guide to encourage you to attend and to help you plan your convention participation so you can get the most out of conventions. If you’re aware of all the benefits that conventions have to offer, I’m sure you too will want to plan to attend conventions each year! 1) Beyond the Classroom !! Have you ever felt that there was more to learn in this field than what was taught in a book or a classroom? Well, we have !! AAPA strongly believes that the opportunities available to you at AAPA conventions are a complement to and sometimes unattainable in the academic setting. Conventions should be viewed as an important and integral part of your training and professional development. 2) Cutting Edge Asian America Psychology How would you like an opportunity to hear the latest research before it even pops up in a journal or a book? How would you like to get a copy of that article or scale that seems ever so elusive? Wouldn’t you like to make a connection with that author who figures prominently in your research? Since many academic programs do not adequately cover multi-cultural issues, let alone Asian American issues, AAPA convention sessions and symposiums provide current and informative topics that are difficult to find as well as relevant to the AA/API population. These formats add to the lecture formats of academia. In addition, you have the opportunity to hear from the people you are referencing in your term papers, theses, and dissertations! 3) Start Your Professional Presentations in a Supportive Environment Wouldn’t it be nice to begin your career of professional presentations by presenting them in an environment where people are not only interested but also truly committed to advancing ideas similar to yours? Well, during the Call for Proposals, you can submit a proposal for interactive sessions, symposiums, and/or poster presentations. Presenting at conventions are career-building opportunities. You will increase your level of experience and comfort level in presenting, which will ultimately improve your professional development. In addition, including your presentations on your vita is an added benefit. Moreover, you will have the possibility of earning a Student Travel Award that will assist in financing your convention attendance. 4) Be Involved and Get a Registration Discount Wanna save money? Take the time to become a Student Volunteer !! Volunteering allows you to contribute to the success of each annual convention. Your involvement will also provide opportunities to make contacts with other convention attendees, professionals and students alike. In addition, volunteering has the benefit of the convention registration fee being reimbursed after the convention. Volunteering may consist of 2 to 4 hours of participation, depending on the number of volunteers each year. The majority of the convention can be spent on whatever else you view as being most beneficial for you. And you can put your volunteering on your vita as well! 5) Create & Expand Your Network One of the major benefits to the AAPA convention happens in the conversations in the hallways, chats after a presentation, discussions during the breaks, and of course, while you cover your ears during karaoke at the Annual Banquet !! This will be the ideal time to create, nourish & expand your network of Asian American colleagues. You have opportunities to introduce yourself to fellow students, early career psychologists, as well as well-established psychologists. Professionals may be more approachable in this setting than in the academic arena. Relationships are built through the commonality of convention attendance and participation throughout the years. So, make it a point to join that group of people getting a snack or make sure you set aside some time to hang out before, during and after the Annual Banquet. Don't stay to yourself !!! Tag along !!! Invite yourself !!! In addition, your attendance and active participation to conventions shows that you are serious about your career and people will take notice. Bring business cards to swap with other students and professionals. Buying businesses cards can be inexpensive, and the professionalism of having a card is invaluable. Business cards are much better than finding a scrap piece of paper to scrawl your contact information on that is more likely to become misplaced. 6) Get a Mentor Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have someone who’s not only Asian American but also supportive of your research ideas as well as an expert in your areas of interest? Well, AAPA specifically sets aside the time to meet those individuals during the Annual AAPA Mentor/Mentee Luncheon. AAPA conventions are a great place to find mentors that ideally will last throughout the year and your entire college career. AAPA values supporting student advancement, since students are the future of the profession. The Annual Mentor/Mentee Luncheon provides an ideal environment for students to ask questions and to meet people in more advanced levels in college and within the profession. In addition, you can be a mentor too! The greatness of the conventions is that it brings together aspiring psychologists with professional psychologists. Convention attendees are at different levels in their educational and professional careers. Thus, undergraduates can benefit from graduate students, graduate students can benefit from early career psychologists, and early career psychologists can benefit from established psychologists. If we all see that we each have a place and are needed at the conventions, and within AAPA as an organization, we will all benefit from our convention attendance! Be sure to buy your luncheon ticket when you register because no tickets are sold on-site. 7) Eat Great Food and Hear Bad Karaoke For the full benefit of the AAPA convention, your attendance and participation is imperative at the Annual Awards Banquet after the convention. This cannot be emphasized enough. This is a must-do item for your AAPA convention plans !! Not only will people be recognized for their great work and contributions, this setting allows for students and professionals to relax and enjoy each other’s company. Karaoke and great food allows for a party atmosphere for attendees to get to know each other as “people,” rather than speakers behind a podium or a name in a Psycinfo search. Yes, conventions attendance really can be fun! Be sure to buy your banquet ticket when you register because no tickets are sold on-site. 8) Boost Your Energy & Be Reminded of Why You're Here Ever wonder why you’re doing this and if anyone outside your Department understands or cares about what you’re doing? More than anything else it has to offer, AAPA truly believes that our convention can give you a boost of energy and support that may be exactly what you need. Most AA/API psychology students lack the necessary level of support in their academic institutions. Many professors are not interested in AA/API research, are not culturally competent, and do not understand the experience of minority students. AAPA conventions validate the experiences of AA/API students. In addition, conventions are intellectually stimulating and exciting !!! Conventions bring psychological material to life, and create meaning to all of your academic efforts ! An Overview of the Benefits of AAPA Conventions:
We hope to see you all at the upcoming AAPA Convention!!!
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