I am entering my 5 th year in the Combined Clinical and School Psychology PhD Program at Hofstra University. Since my undergraduate years, I have been involved in advocacy work. Over the coming year, there are a few goals that I hope to accomplish. Working together for graduate students, national and state associations can achieve more than either can by working alone.
Students are the future of any organization.
With dwindling membership in many state PA's, more student members mean a louder voice, and more resources available for students. CR's are the backbone of the advocacy work aimed at improving the field of psychology, and the predicament of graduate students. For example, at the recent APA convention, the National Psychology Graduate Student Rally was held on the steps of the U.S. Capitol Building to advocate for increased federal funding for graduate student training. CR's are also the ones who distribute important advocacy alerts, and organize activities such as letter writing campaigns on their campuses. Although we do have a number of these dedicated individuals, we need more student volunteers to carry on successful advocacy work.