You’re Not in Kansas Anymore: More Ways That Grad School Is Different From Undergrad

Abstract

Iam honored to serve as the 53rd President of Psi Chi and humbled to be a part of this group of leaders in psychology. My sincere goal for the coming year is to continue to build upon the strengths of Psi Chi that so many others before me have labored to achieve. I want to urge you to do more than "join" Psi Chi. Of course, we want eligible members to join our organization; without members, there is no point to our existence. But we need you to be more than just a "nominal" member. That is, we need you to do more than just pay for a line on your resumé/curriculum vita. I am going to do everything that I can to encourage you, to gently push you, to engage with Psi Chi.The true benefits of membership organizations come from engaging with other members and your faculty advisor, participating in regional conventions, and more. The list of resources available to you-whether it be Psi Chi Journal of Psychological Research; Eye on Psi Chi magazine; the resource-packed website; opportunities to apply for grants, awards, scholarships; networking at regional psychology conventions (and more)-is staggering. To be a member "only" and to not leverage the opportunities of membership would be such a waste. Personally engaging with the organization and its members provides leadership opportunities and access to experiences that can be amazing. Please indulge me a bit and allow me to share my own story with you.Step 1: Becoming a Member (or Total 80s Rewind) I distinctly remember my Psi Chi induction at Monmouth College (IL) on December 13, 1983. It was so memorable for a number of reasons: we were invited to the home of a psychology faculty member, all of the inductees (I think about 5) were dressed up, and I remember signing the Psi Chi scroll after taking the oath. Afterward, we engaged in adult conversations with our fellow students and faculty-it was the first time I felt more like a colleague than a student. I have never forgotten that personal Psi Chi experience! In my senior year, I was elected president of our local Psi Chi chapter, and I was thrilled that I could help my fellow classmates pursue their education in psychology.Step 2: Mentoring (or Test Drive)After graduate school, I continued my engagement with Psi Chi by serving as the faculty advisor to the Boise State University chapter in 2003-05 and 2006-11. We worked hard to engage our members, which is often a challenge for nonresidential/commuter schools. We organized charitable and fund-raising events on campus, as well as supported members to attend the regional psychology convention of the Rocky Mountain Psychological Association (RMPA) meeting. At conventions, we participated in chapter exchange and leadership programming, as well as attended invited addresses and symposia that Psi Chi had organized for us. In each region of the United States, the Vice-President organizes the programming for the regional convention (an important detail for later). During my time as advisor, I began to help with RMPA Psi Chi programming by serving on steering committees, firs...