AASP Newsletter - September 2020

Julia Cawthra	Jorge Ballesteros

Opportunities

Hello student members! AASP continues to work diligently to increase the value of student membership and create opportunities for student engagement within the organization. With the 2019-2022 Strategic Plan in progress, we are excited about the items we have already implemented and those we continue to work on. Below you will find important information about the Annual Conference, student resources and initiatives, and ways you can get involved. 

AASP 2020 Annual Conference

The AASP Conference this year will be held virtually from October 21 to 24, 2020. We are disappointed that we will not be able to gather in person, but we are confident this decision is in the best interest of our membership and broader professional community. The AASP 2020 Annual Conference will still be a great opportunity to learn from and network with others in the field. The Conference Planning Committee is working hard and getting creative to ensure participants will have an interactive and fulfilling experience.

Registration for the conference is open now and rates have been discounted for all participants due to the virtual format. We are still planning to have a virtual Graduate Program and Career Fair —an interactive session that provides students with the opportunity to learn more about sport and exercise psychology graduate programs and career opportunities. Furthermore, there will be two professional development workshops offered specifically for students: “Cultural Considerations for Sport Psychology Trainees,” and “Getting the Job: Best Practices for Securing an Applied Sport Psychology Position.”

Initiatives and Resources for Students 

The Science to Practice Student Initiative will host the Free Webinar: Best Practices of the Scientist-Practitioner Model on Wednesday, September 23. Learn more about the AASP student member-moderated offering, which will be held via Zoom then streamed on Facebook Live.

We are happy to share that AASP’s Student Social Justice Initiative, Diversity Committee, International Relations Committee, and Advocacy Committee hosted the 2020 Student Social Justice Forum & IGNITE Program on June 3. A plethora of great speakers and roundtables were hosted. Take a look at the Racial Justice Resource List AASP has created to learn more about the Black Lives Matter movement and racial injustices that continue to occur.

AASP has also compiled a collection of updates, information, and resources related to COVID-19 to help support practitioners, students, and athletes/performers. We continue to disseminate information about potential career opportunities for students to pursue once they become early-career professionals. Check out the AASP Career Center to learn about fresh job opportunities. Resources include resume writing tips, interviewing suggestions, guidance on advancing your career, and advice for making the most of digital resources like social media profiles and networking sites.

The Graduate Program Directory (12th edition) remains a top resource for students looking to gain information about graduate training opportunities in the field of applied sport psychology. Students can purchase either a printed or online copy of the book. 
A great way to make the most out of your student membership is to use the resources available to you. Stay current on the latest research in the field through accessing numerous journals published by AASP, including The Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, Journal of Sport Psychology in Action, and Case Studies in Sport and Exercise Psychology. Visit the Membership Benefits and Students’ Center for more information about available resources.

Get Involved

There are several ways to get involved! Annual and regional conferences are opportunities to network with other members of the organization. Students can also consider joining Special Interest Groups (SIGs) that align with topics significant to them. Additionally, students can get involved by applying to become a student delegate. Applications open after the Annual Conference, so be on the lookout for more information this Fall!

Finally, if you have feedback about your experiences within the organization, suggestions about improving student membership, or interest in becoming more involved in the organization, contact us (Julia and Jorge) at studentrep@appliedsportpsych.org. We are happy to answer any questions you have and look forward to virtually connecting with many of you in October!