(The following post is also located on the parent blog page.)

Part I
Part II
Dr. Verges' APS Blogpost

Part III

Well, I think it is time I wrap up this 3 part blog post. It has gone on too long for most readers, and that is quite discouraging.
So after the B.R. adventure the APS 20th Anniversary Reception (featuring the best hors d'oeuvres and open bar I've had), occupied the end of the 3rd day. So after having a couple glasses of wine with Dr. Duffy and Dr. Verges, discussing the events we attended. At this point it actually became pretty clear that I intend on doing a ton of research, and it would be ideal if I had grants to help supplement my income. That is, replace having a "job" and R.A., which would put me in the lab concentrating for 20 hours a week. More about that stuff later.
Well after the reception, I darted off to the train for another 50 minute journey.

Sunday, and the last day at the convention! I decided since my hostess pretty much put me up for free, it would be appropriate to repay her in some fashion. So I invited her to join me for the final day and enjoy the Festschrift for Elliot Aronson. For those of you not aware of what a Festschrift is, it is a honoring of someones lifetime achievements while the individual is still alive retiring or nearing death.

Elliot Aronson is officially going to be on my book shelfs due to the nature of his work. It was quite amazing what this man did for the community of psychology. I was awe-stuck to be in the room with him after even a few moments as they discussed his contributions. It was definitely one of those moments I wish I had my Nikon on hand. I'm not familiar with all of Aronson's work, but over the next few months I plan on becoming an expert seeing as his work is applicable to my research goals.


Well, it is about time I draw up some conclusions about the experience as a whole.
The day to day experience was well worth the time, effort, and cost (physical cost of not sleeping) to attend. When I attend next year's APS convention in San Francisco I will have a hotel at the convention hall. In terms of introducing myself, it is by far the most degrading thing to introduce myself by proxy to N.D. (e.g., "Hi, I'm Nate Ring from Holy Cross College Indiana." they always ask, "where is that again?" I respond, "Do you know where N.D. is?" they always say, "YEAH! you go to ND?" I say, "No, I'm across the street...")
So I decided that it would be a brilliant idea to carry a card identifying (business card) myself as a unique and special college, not as some institution in the shadow of a giant. Finally, I am indeed there as an educated individual, and everyone is actually there under the same pretense. Unlike a gathering of MBA's, the psychology community is by far less intra-competitive, and more or less, collaborative.

It was a BRILLIANT time. I learned a ton of things, and it really helped me reaffirm my drive to be a psychologist.