Where are all the graduate students?
Jessica Diaz
I am sitting on the porch of my DC condo trying to figure out what to write for this week’s blog. I have started at least three different drafts, one on the Dr. Gates story, one on the amazing kids I am currently working with, and one on the stress of being a graduate student. However for some reason each draft gets deleted and a fresh new empty page appears staring back at me with increasing pressure, another looming deadline on an increasing list of the To-Do’s of a graduate student. Believe me, it isn’t for a lack of things to say, being a graduate student I love the idea of people reading what I write. And it isn’t for a lack of passion and interest in this blog.
Two hours later it occurs to me, who is reading this anyway? Where are all the graduate students visiting the ACA website, commenting on the latest issues and seeking advice from the wise professionals? Why are we so underrepresented in this arena? We certainly make up a good portion of the membership but how active are we? We submit a couple of conference proposals because it looks good on our CV’s, we get our liability insurance which in most programs is a mandatory step before practicum.
This week I set a challenge, pass this blog along to a friend, a classmate, a colleague. Ask them what they want to hear about, talk about, or simply “shoot the shit” about. Students have a voice but if no one steps up to speak, your wants and needs will not be heard. And hey, if it is just he fact that I am not interesting enough to elicit a response from you, tell me how you think can and I will be more than happy to make sure they are heard.
Jessica Diaz is a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, a third-year doctoral student, and was a student representative on ACA’s Governing Council.
![[Post to Twitter]](http://my.counseling.org/wp-content/plugins/tweet-this/icons/tt-twitter.png){kind=icon}
I’m raising my hand to be counted! I’m finishing my M.A./Ed.S. this fall, and I’ve been a student member of the ACA for the past two years. I admit, I joined at first to have something to put on my resume, but I stayed because I really count on the ACA now. I like getting the JCD and I read my “Counseling Today”s and my e-News. I was excited to see the blog, as it offers commentaries on current events. I’m looking forward to taking advantage of podcasts and the CE credit opportunities. I find the ACA to be a very relevant organization which offers me several ways to stay connected to the state of the profession.
Stacie, thank you for your response! It is so nice to hear that you have maintained your membership after graduation. I don’t know that students really take advantage of all the benefits ACA membership has to offer and we often lose them after graduation. In truth, I have let my membership lapse before because of money constraints and have always regretted it. I some how find a way renew because to me, ACA membership is invaluable.
I hope to hear from you again and please encourage others to take a look.
Hi Jessica,
I enjoyed reading your piece. Graduate students we are here reading from you all the way from Ghana in West Africa. I joined ACA just last month and wow! ACA has made me felt that counselling is real. looking forword to join the forthcoming conference in San Diego. For now i know that there is a body that is ready to shape me to become the professional counsellor that I have been dreaming of.
I am not a grad student yet but will hopefully be one in the Spring. I really enjoy ACA. It really makes me feel like I have made the right career choice. I have learned so much already.
Hello there!
I am a graduate student gearing up to get ready for my last semester of course work and then onto my practicum and internship! I log onto ACA several times a week just to keep myself updated. I really like the e newsletter because sometimes I don’t have time to read through everything so it gives me a quick glimpse on what’s happening.
I also enjoy reading Counseling Today and have used the JCD many many times as a resource for my research papers.
Thanks for the blog and for the shout out to us Grad students!