AASP Newsletter - September 2016

Dolores Christensen, MS, Springfield College
Stacy Gnacinski, MS, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Hello AASP student members!

As many of you are aware, AASP is already making substantial progress toward achieving the goals outlined in the three-year Strategic Plan (SP).  For those of you who may not know, the SP is the document informing AASP’s leadership decision-making processes through 2018. Again, we encourage all student members to review this document as there are critical pieces in the SP regarding graduate training and job creation relevant to students. Click here to access the 2016-2018 Strategic Plan. A primary goal of the 2016-18 SP is student development, and as a result of this strategic focus, we are currently on pace for a record-breaking year for student membership! We are energized by the growing student interest in both our field and professional organization.

We also want to highlight the main changes and updates relevant to AASP student members since our last newsletter. 

AASP Annual Conference Preview: An Enhanced Focus on Student Development
In collaboration with the Student Development Committee and the Conference Planning Committee, AASP has officially included two student-focused, professional development offerings in the upcoming Annual Conference in Phoenix, AZ. These features are a part of the broader student-focused programming throughout the conference, and includes the new “Areas of Interest” track specific for students.

The following workshops will be available for student conference attendees only: 

1. The first student-focused workshop will be on imagery. Professional consultants Dr. Duncan Simpson (Barry University) and Dr. Phillip Post (New Mexico State University) will share their theoretical and research expertise behind imagery interventions and outline recommendations for implementing imagery techniques in consulting practice.   
2. The second student-focused workshop will highlight job preparation (e.g., interview skills, resume writing, job market demands, negotiating compensation, etc.). Professional consultants from various arenas (e.g., academics, applied practice, etc.) will share their experience with obtaining positions and/or interviewing candidates for positions in applied sport psychology. Currently, the list of potential speakers includes Dr. Traci Statler (Cal State-Fullerton), Dr. Taryn Morgan (IMG Academy), and Eric Martin (Boise State University). 

As an additional conference preview, this year we are rolling out the Student Conference Connections (SCC) Facebook page - a virtual space for students to meet, arrange for roommates, split travel costs when possible, and/or find a “buddy” to help navigate the conference. All students registered for the conference will be invited to join the SCC Facebook page.

AASP Student Membership Benefits

As AASP members, we encourage you to take advantage of the many membership benefits geared specifically toward students’ training and career development by visiting the Students Center. For example, AASP offers a number of video resources geared toward student development in consulting and research. 

When browsing through these great resources, be sure to check out the latest AASP/APA Division 47 co-sponsored student webinar entitled "So, You Want to Be a Sport Psychology Professional?”. This video features three CC-AASPs discussing the field, graduate training, and career options for students at the undergraduate and graduate levels. We are grateful to Drs. Mark Aoyagi, Kate F. Hays, and Judy Van Raalte for their valuable insight in this recorded webinar! 

Get Involved!

If you are interested in getting more involved as a student member, we encourage you to consider the following options:

1. Join the virtual conversation on Facebook by sending a request to the AASP Student Facebook Group! This resource is a benefit to student members only; if your full name is not visible on your Facebook username, please send a direct request to Mike Clark, Chair of Website & Social Media, at mnclark92@gmail.com to gain access.
2. Purchase the Graduate Program Directory (11th edition). Since its publication in January 2015, nearly 500 prospective students worldwide have purchased the latest Directory - more than any previous edition. As expected, prospective students have opted for the online version where they can easily search the database for important program information on master and doctoral training programs. Get your copy today!

If you have an idea to improve the student experience in AASP or would like more information on how to get involved, please feel free to contact either of us at studentrep@appliedsportpsych.org.