Early Career Psychologists
APA recognizes the unique interests and concerns of ECPs, our fastest growing cohort.
Committee on Early Career Psychologists
The Committee on Early Career Psychologists (CECP) wants to welcome you to APA! Please check out the welcome message from CECP’s Chair. CECP supports the needs of ECPs within and outside APA through advocacy and the development of resources.
CECP Strategic Priorities:
- Prioritize equity, diversity, and inclusion in every aspect of their work
- Engage in antiracist work
- Establish and promote leadership training opportunities for ECPs
- Create new opportunities for ECPs to serve in leadership positions
- Elevate the visibility of ECPs and their work
Early Career Resources
Explore resources dedicated to helping and supporting early career psychologists (ECPs). An ECP is an individual who has received a doctoral psychology degree within the last 10 years.
Career & Professional Development
including access to webinars that will continue your learning in the field such as our very popular “How Did You Get That Job?” series.
Premium Content
covering topics such as work-life fit, parental leave, and other family matters. LEARN MORE
Funding Opportunities
available to researchers from all sub-disciplines of psychological science.
Support
in creating an Individual Development Plan. LEARN MORE
Leadership Opportunities
including the ability to serve in nearly every governance group across APA, including the Board of Directors and Council of Representatives.
Ways to Connect
including our Early Career listserv for discussing early career issues, providing mutual support, gaining resources that will help you develop new skills.
Join the Early Career Network on APA Community
Connect with your peers and colleagues on APA's exclusive member platform, APA Community. The Early Career Network is tailored specifically for ECPs seeking connections and support in navigating the professional landscape.
Engage with others, share insights, and build valuable relationships to thrive in your psychology career journey!
Financial Wellness
Members receive exclusive access to financial articles, videos, webinars, and interactive tools, including salary data and negotiation skill support.
Additionally, APA members can save thousands on student loans with Laurel Road.
Laurel Road’s student loan refinancing program has saved student borrowers thousands over the lives of their loans. APA members now have access to a 0.25% rate discount when refinancing, which could translate to significant additional savings.
Leadership Opportunities
Check out ways to get involved in APA leadership positions. APA’s Committee on Early Career Psychologists (CECP) was created to support the unique interests and needs of ECPs.
Mentorship Directory
New! APA’s Committee on Early Career Psychologists has compiled a directory of mentorship opportunities to help ECPs find mentors who can help them grow their knowledge and skills in psychology.
Join One of APA's 54 Divisions
APA’s 54 divisions are interest groups organized by members. Some represent subdisciplines of psychology (e.g., experimental, social or clinical) while others focus on topical areas such as aging, ethnic minorities, or trauma.
Divisions offer a way to connect with like-minded individuals but are also a great way to explore new interests. Divisions offer unique member experiences, a variety of benefits, and a professional home. Join a division (or several divisions) today.
Take Your Leadership Skills to the Next Level
Based in psychological science and real-world examples, this innovative course sequence provides motivated individuals like you with the experience and ability to take on leadership positions.
Access the training now on-demand!
Join the Early Career
Psychologists (ECP) Listserv
Subscribe to our EarlyCareer listserv to connect with other ECP members, discuss issues, provide mutual support, deepen your knowledge about APA events, and strengthen your professional identity.
“I appreciate and value the mentoring and networking opportunities the APA provides to early career psychologists.”
Charles Block
"APA is helping me keep up my skills and knowledge base as I move further and further from my time as a graduate student and am well into my career as a practicing psychologist."
Lisa Belvy
"Being an APA member has helped me stay current on research and on the skills necessary to be marketable."
Stephanie Woods
Building the Future
APA recognizes the unique interests and concerns of early career psychologists (ECPs), our fastest growing member cohort who are within ten years receipt of their doctoral degrees. Your participation will help shape the future of the discipline and our association.
Your team at APA is working toward:
- Expanding professional development and leadership training
- Increasing advocacy for the preservation of loan forgiveness programs and traditional career pathways
- Ensuring licensure is more accessible upon graduation
- Helping ECPs pursue meaningful careers in new and emerging settings
- Elevating the visibility of ECPs and their professional work
Federal Advocacy: Take Action
APA represents the largest and most visible national presence advocating for psychology at the federal level. APA's advocacy initiatives include:
- Federal Funding for Psychological Research
- Civil Rights
- Immigration
- Gun Violence
- Suicide
