PhD/PsyD Networking at APA?

[calimich]

---

Members don't see this ad.

I'll be attending APA for the first time next month and presenting my dissertation in a poster session on the first day and then staying through the end of the conference. My committee has encouraged me to go heavy on the networking. They've suggesting meeting, greeting, and letting folks know I'll be on the job market next year. Unfortunately APA falls during orientation week for internship, but my new TD is very supportive of me missing most of the week and has also encouraged me to network.

I'm curious what other professionals think about this? Is it appropriate to pitch myself a year ahead of graduation? Some mentors have encouraged me to volunteer with Division 17 and/or attend the various social hours for new professionals and grad students. What are these events like?

Many moons ago I worked in the financial industry and loathed monthly "mixers" with their accompanying pretentiousness and underlying feeling of manipulation. Should I expect a similar atmosphere at APA?

 

[WisNeuro]

I don't really like APA for networking. But, if you can, try to get into smaller networking situations (i.e., your divisions social hours and such). APAGS might be good if you are still a grad student. Don't forget to have some fun. And, if you really want to go hard into the networking, the smaller, topic specific conferences are probably best (e.g., INS for neuropsych, SBM for health psych, etc).