“Exploring Professional Organizations in Psychology and Interview Preparation”

QUESTION

Recalling the researched below , what did you find most helpful and what did you find not helpful or missing from these organizations’ websites?

Practitioners and scholars of psychology are provided numerous options when seeking information related to professional development, networking, research resources, academic and career guidance, community involvement and much more. The purpose of this assignment is to research and report on the professional psychological associations listed with their corresponding websites below to gain an understanding of the mission and benefits of each.

The associations to review include:

American Psychological Association (APA)

American Counseling Association (ACA)

American School Counseling Association (ASCA)

Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP)

American Psychology and Law Society

Many professionals in the field of psychology are active in and really value professional organizations which provide resources, mentorship, discounts on goods and services, advocacy at the state and federal levels, continuing education programs, training and research conferences for members and students. Most students pursuing studies in a particular discipline are aware of some of these organizations prior to graduating, but not all of them, and many students do not take advantage of the student memberships offered by these organizations. Some professionals don’t belong to them either, because membership fees can be high. Here’s one of the best kept secrets about professional orgs–students can join them for bargain basement rates compared to the cost incurred by professionals and enjoy very close to all of the same benefits of the latter group. The organizations because they figure the drastically reduced fees will be well worth their weight in prospective recruitment gold! You join cheap as a student, you like what you experience and you join as a full-grown professional later! You may experience a bit of “sticker shock” once you no longer qualify for the student rates, but don’t despair about the cost bump. Organizations like the APA have oodles of free online resources available to everyone at APA.org, and other organizations such as the American Counseling Association have far less expensive annual membership fees.

Students sometimes worry about whether their questions are worthy of the interviewee’s time. By the time they are approved, they will be if they are not already. This is why it is important to ask the approved questions once they have been vetted. It’s the instructor’s job to make sure you ask professional, non-invasive questions, avoiding questions such as “How much do  make a year?” Yikes! Again, the average yearly salary of a person in any discipline is knowable with a little research. So instead of asking, “How much”, you can say “My research of Forensic Psychology has turned up starting salaries of about $55K and topping out in the $70K range on average. What would be a realistic range for me to expect on my first job if I decide to pursue Forensic Psychology?” The goal is for you to understand how much you can expect to make. How much your interviewee makes is not relevant since they are likely to have years of experience in the field that you do not have yet. If you decide to send the questions in advance, sending them at least a week before the interview is prudent.

You are expected to have at least 20 questions. This should be sufficient for an interview, especially if some answers from your interviewee prompts follow up questions. Suggested questions include topics such as:

• What is required in setting up and maintaining a private practice?
• How or why to consider combining clinical practice with teaching, writing and research?
• It would be interesting to ask about what professional organizations they belong to, whether they joined as students and whether they found membership valuable/useful and in what ways.
• Questions about how to avoid burnout and dual relationships are always good.
• Inquiring about which graduate courses they recommend and use most can be useful.
• Asking why they chose a particular format for their graduate education (e.g., traditional brick and mortar campus vs an online environment), and what specific academic criteria they used in picking a program.
• Many of you worry about how an employer views an online degree as compared to a traditional degree and whether one affords more job opportunities than the other.
• Given the large number of sub-specialties consider asking how they decided on a sub-specialty.
• Ask where they see the future of graduate training or even psychology heading.
• Ask about what challenges they face in maintaining work-home life balance or what a typical work day involves.
• You might even ask about what types of personality traits they feel makes for the best “helper”.
• If you are concerned about the low salaries in psychology when compared to the cost of the graduate education, ask how they reconciled putting out this type of money for a relatively low financial return.
• What about asking how they financed their education. Or even about the costs of licensure and continuing education to maintain the license.
• It is not too soon to ask about how they prepared for the licensing exam or whether or not they invested in purchasing the expensive study materials or the study course that are about $1,000 each.
• Ask about how easy it is to become licensed in other states should you relocate.
• If you are concerned about getting an internship, or the first job, ask about their strategy for doing so.
• Those of you in the military might want to know about what it’s like being a military psychologist.

These are just a few of the topics that you might explore in the interview. I hope something stated here helps you to generate some unique questions of your own. Feel free to borrow some of these. Notice questions are asked in an open-ended format, the importance of which will be discussed later. If you are not planning to pursue graduate education, licensing, or a career in psychology, use the aforementioned questions to craft questions that are relevant to your chosen profession.

• r research first. It is important that the interviewee see that you have some basic understanding of what they d and the credentials required to do it. For instance, you need to know that a School Psychologist works in academic settings and has a Master’s in Education and a Specialist Degree in Psychology and that they take the National Exam for School Psychology and not the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology exam. No worries, if you did not know this already, we will be researching this type of information about each of the 12 sub-specialties of psychologists. The point is, asking the School Psychologist what credentials they need is something that you should have and could have researched yourself. So instead of asking them what credentials they need, you can share what you know about the credentials required and then ask them to tell you about how they prepared for the National Exam in School Psychology or what criteria they used to select the type of school setting to seek for employment.
• Arrive 10-15 minutes early for the interview or send the interviewee a text reminder. Arriving early gives you time to get set up and to become comfortable with the setting as you calm your nerves. Yes, being nervous is normal but once the interview gets underway, nervousness usually dissipates. If the interview is to be conducted by telephone, sending a text based reminder 24 hours before and another one 15 minutes before allow the interviewee to be ready as well.
•  questions in advance and consider sending them to interviewee, after they are approved. You will be submitting your questions for approval at the week 3 forum, so your classmates will also weigh in on your proposed questions. You will have an opportunity to see their proposed questions and to tweak yours prior to your interview.
• Phrase questions in an open-ended manner. Ask “What would be a realistic range for me to expect on my first job if I decide to pursue Forensic Psychology?” rather than  make about 70K?” Students often ask yes/no questions and find themselves running out of questions before the 30 minute time period has elapsed.
• Ask in advance if you can tape the interview and if so, bring recording equipment. You will likely be a bit nervous when you start the interview. Being hyper-focused on getting down everything the interviewee says can lead to more anxiety. Please ask the interviewee for permission to directly quote them if you plan to do so. Paraphrasing does not require their approval.
• Monitor the Time. Remember to combine questions on same/similar topics to allow interviewees time to respond to the questions you have, but also some time left over to share information with you spontaneously. You don’t want the interview to exceed an hour, and the requirement is only thirty minutes. Remember time with you is usually time away from paying patients! So monitor the time closely.
• Send a Thank You Note. You want your interviewee to know how much you appreciate them giving so freely of their time. A quick email to this effect or a “Thank You” card mailed goes a long way in conveying your appreciation. This also provides an opportunity for you to remind the interviewee to send your instructor an email confirming that the interview took place.

The interview is the assignment that students consistently report as creating the most angst. They also report it as having been the most rewarding assignment of the semester. A few additional resources are provided at the end of this lesson to assist you in preparing for an informative interview.

ANSWER

“Exploring Professional Organizations in Psychology and Interview Preparation”

Introduction

The field of psychology offers a wide array of opportunities for professionals and students, and it’s essential to be aware of the resources and support available through professional organizations. This essay discusses the importance of professional psychological associations and the benefits they offer to practitioners and scholars. Additionally, it offers guidance on interview preparation when seeking insights from experienced professionals in the field.

Professional Psychological Associations

Professional psychological associations play a vital role in supporting individuals pursuing careers in psychology. These organizations offer resources, networking opportunities, mentorship, advocacy, continuing education, and more. The following is an overview of the benefits of five notable associations in the field:

American Psychological Association (APA): The American Psychological Association is one of the most well-known associations in psychology. It provides resources, research publications, annual conferences, and advocacy at the state and federal levels. Students can benefit from discounted memberships, and professionals enjoy a wealth of resources and support.

American Counseling Association (ACA): The American Counseling Association focuses on counseling and provides resources, professional development opportunities, and advocacy. Membership fees are reasonable, and students can access a wide range of benefits to support their academic and career growth.

American School Counseling Association (ASCA): ASCA is dedicated to school counseling professionals. It offers resources, professional development, and guidance specific to school settings. Student memberships are available, enabling students to explore the benefits of the association.

Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP): SIOP focuses on industrial-organizational psychology. It provides research, conferences, and professional development opportunities. This association offers valuable resources for both students and professionals.

American Psychology and Law Society: This association focuses on the intersection of psychology and law. It offers resources, conferences, and support for professionals in this specialized field. Students can gain insights into the unique challenges and opportunities in psychology and law.

Benefits of Joining Professional Organizations: Joining professional organizations as a student is a strategic move. Students can access nearly all the benefits available to professionals at significantly reduced rates, making membership highly affordable. By participating in these organizations as students, individuals gain a better understanding of the field, establish valuable connections, and experience the benefits firsthand. This often leads to continued membership as professionals, despite the cost increase.

Interview Preparation: Preparing for interviews with professionals in the field of psychology is a valuable skill. Whether you are seeking insights into a specific subfield, career path, or academic journey, the following tips will help you conduct a successful interview:

Research: Before the interview, conduct thorough research on the individual’s background, expertise, and the specific questions you intend to ask. This demonstrates your dedication and knowledge of their field.

Arrival: If the interview is in person, arrive 10-15 minutes early to get set up and acclimatize to the environment. For telephone interviews, send a reminder text 24 hours and 15 minutes before the interview.

Questions: Prepare a list of open-ended questions, ensuring they are professional and non-invasive. Share your knowledge and ask for insights, avoiding overly personal or sensitive queries.

Recording: Ask for permission to record the interview and bring recording equipment. It helps reduce anxiety and ensures you capture the information accurately.

Time Management: Monitor the interview’s timing closely, as professionals are often busy and value their time.

Thank You Note: Send a thank-you email or a card to express your appreciation and request confirmation of the interview’s occurrence.

Conclusion

Professional organizations in psychology offer invaluable resources and support to students and professionals alike. Joining these organizations as a student provides a cost-effective way to explore their benefits and establish connections. Additionally, preparing for interviews with professionals is an essential skill for gaining insights and building networks within the field. By following the provided guidance, students can make the most of their interactions with experienced professionals and enhance their understanding of psychology.