Student Involvement in Division 20

Are you a student searching for career opportunities? Want to meet leading researchers in the field of Adult Development and Aging? Want to increase your visibility in the field? By becoming a student member of Div. 20, you will join the ranks of many renowned psychologists and have the opportunity to establish yourself within the Adult Development and Aging community. Here are four (although there are many more) great reasons to join Div. 20.

• Opportunity
  Div. 20 has nearly 1,000 members (including associates, fellows, professionals, and students) with whom you can meet and network. By submitting your work to the annual APA convention, you have the opportunity to present your research in front of leading experts as well as attend symposia, presentations, and poster sessions. Student research is a focal point and strongly encouraged. Div. 20 also offers annual student awards including: the Walter G. McMillen Memorial Award for Parkinson's Disease Research, Doctoral Dissertation Award in the Psychology of Aging, and Travel Awards for the APA convention at the undergraduate, graduate, and post-doctoral levels.

• Cross-divisional collaboration
  A new emphasis for APA has been cross-collaboration of divisions. If you feel that your research overlaps with other divisions, Div. 20 also embraces collaboration with other divisions. We know that our field is no longer a singular focus; researchers must work together spanning different approaches, e.g. clinical, developmental, and pharmacological research.

• Networking
  For me personally, the networking and involvement in Div. 20 is an outstanding resource for students. Students should join the Div. 20 listserv to stay up to date about new professional and social events. (Many job listings are posted here!) Additionally, a unique and exciting experience at the APA convention is the Speed Mentoring event. This event is a collaborative event co-sponsored by Div. 20 and Div. 40 (Clinical Neuropsychology) geared towards students interested in learning the ins and outs from highly qualified researchers. Typically, two invited speakers will give a short presentation, followed by one-on-one questions and answer time. I have gained valuable insight on questions regarding publishing, grant writing, research plans, and navigating graduate life. This is an event not to miss!

• American Psychological Association of Graduate Students (APAGS)
  If you are a graduate student, APAGS is an additional resource that provides students with advice at all stages of graduate careers. APAGS offers presentations and workshops regarding the challenges and struggles you may face and how to be successful. For example, at this year's APA convention, workshops were offered on time management, setting goals, matching for internship, and dissertation flow (just to name a few). APAGS also offers networking opportunities and is a chance to meet like-minded graduate students.

Division 20 is dedicated to student success and preparing emerging scholars to lead the field. We are the future of this field, and Division 20 provides an incredible opportunity and resource for students.

If you would like to know more about Division 20 or become a member, please visit our webpage.

If you have questions about being a student member, please contact Elizabeth Handing or Nelson Roque.

Nelson Roque is a graduate student at Florida State University, pursuing a PhD in Cognitive Psychology. His current research interests include visual attention, aging, and video game training.

Elizabeth Handing is a graduate student at University of South Florida, pursuing a PhD in Aging Studies. Her research is focused on lifestyle factors as they relate to healthy aging, specifically the influence of nutrition on cognitive functioning .