Psychologists Unite

(c) PAP

I had recently taken another step towards my serious pursuit of my academic psychology goals by attending the Psychological Association of the Philippines (PAP) convention in Cebu. Even if I had to spend for this myself due to the absence of any papers presented, I decided to go anyway because I needed a clearer idea of how people present their research when the time comes for me to do so myself. It was also a way for me to get out of my comfort zone because I had planned the trip alone, although I knew that my co-faculty from both UP and Ateneo would be there. Now I'm back home and I know that I made a really good move. I got what I went there for and so much more.

On a personal level, I had managed to make my introverted self inch out of my proverbial shell, gaining a sense of comfort with my colleagues that I knew would have taken much longer if our interactions were only limited to the department. My sense of independence has also improved, since I had made all my arrangements and stayed in my room alone. Yes, it was planned too late and I had to suffer the delays that come with taking the last flight in and out, but I can now take pride in this step that I took. Listening to the different presentations have also helped me gain confidence in my own abilities, both as a researcher and a presenter. This is not to say that I won't be crazy nervous when I finally face my own audience. But at least now I know what to expect.

More than anything though, going to this convention has strongly reinforced my desire to stay in the academe.   For one, there is still so much to be done in the field of psychology. Listening to the research presented by my colleagues, it became apparent that we've only just begun to scratch the surface especially in the Philippines. Psychology is such a dynamic science that changes along with the society within which its processes take place. Topics of interest have begun to take a more solid form, and the idea of collaborating with people excites me. The opportunities (and also the challenges) that lie ahead are also becoming clearer, giving me a more realistic idea of what I can do.

So yes, barring the very real speed bump presented by the Psych Bill (which still needs much ironing out, by the way), I now know that I want to be a psychologist through and through. Then again, you might want to ask me again when I can't afford the comforts of life that I want. For now, I can say that I'm in the right place.