PSY FPX 8841 Assessment 5 Reflection for Professional Development

Student Name

Capella University

PSY FPX 8841 Performance Enhancement in Sports

Prof. Name:

Date

Reflection for Professional Development

As a graduate student pursuing a Master’s in sport psychology, I am excited about the opportunity to intern with a mentor from your organization. I believe my strengths and interests align well with Career Track 3, which focuses on providing clinical and counseling services to various populations, including athletes (Capella University, n.d.). I understand that this career track requires a doctoral degree from an American Psychological Association (APA) accredited clinical or counseling psychology program, with a substantial portion of coursework dedicated to sport psychology and related sports sciences. However, with my Master’s background, I aim to become a Certified Mental Performance Consultant through the Association for Applied Sport Psychology and serve as a psychological consultant in a sports medicine clinic.

Preparation for this career track will involve several avenues, starting with my current job. I am currently a flight attendant for a major U.S. airline, and during the NFL season, I work charter flights for an NFC East team. I plan to leverage this opportunity to connect with a mentor in the player development program to gain insights into how sport psychology is applied in a professional sports environment. The player development program offers resources that enable players to become “lifelong learners while pursuing continuous improvement in family relations, social interactions, personal growth, and career development during and beyond their NFL careers” (Washington Redskins, 2018).

PSY FPX 8841 Assessment 5 Reflection for Professional Development

Continuing education is crucial, as the field of sport psychology is continually evolving. Therefore, I intend to attend the Association for Applied Sport Psychology convention this year to gather more information about the field, techniques, and practices, as well as to network with professionals in the industry (Association of Applied Sport Psychology, n.d.). Additionally, subscribing to publications such as the Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, Sport, Exercise, and Performance Psychology, or the Journal of Sport Psychology will provide valuable education and updates on new techniques and practices in the sport psychology field (APA Division 47).

Although I am not yet a licensed or certified psychology professional, ethical codes and standards still apply to my professional development plan. One significant ethical standard comes from the Association of Applied Sport Psychology: Boundaries of Competence (Whelan, 2011). Understanding my strengths and weaknesses is essential for providing quality assistance. This is where supervision and mentorship play a crucial role in guiding my interactions with players and staff. Furthermore, Section 4 of the American Psychological Association (2017) Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct addresses confidentiality. As a psychological professional, there is an expectation of maintaining confidentiality regarding information obtained from individuals with whom I have a working relationship. Even though I am not yet certified or licensed, adhering to this ethical principle is vital as it prepares me to uphold confidentiality once I enter the profession.

After completing my Performance Enhancement in Sports course, I have recognized the importance of finding a mentor to explore how sport psychology can be utilized for performance enhancement. By connecting with a mentor within the NFL club I work with, I hope to observe how the organization employs psychological techniques with their players and staff to foster well-rounded individuals. Ultimately, I believe that interning with one of your organization’s mentors will provide invaluable knowledge and experience that I can apply in the next stages of my career. While I am still acquiring the knowledge necessary to become a licensed professional, I have a clear direction and will greatly value the support to help me reach my goals.

References

American Psychological Association. (2017). Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct. https://www.apa.org/ethics/code/

APA Division 47. (2011). Additional Resources. https://www.apadivisions.org/division-47

Association of Applied Sport Psychology. (n.d.). Annual Conference | Association for Applied Sport Psychology. https://appliedsportpsych.org/annual-conference/

Capella University. (n.d.). Tracks and Opportunities in Sport Psychology. http://media.capella.edu/CourseMedia/PSY8841/FlashCards_1/psy8841_career_61.asp

Washington Redskins. (2018). Player Development. https://www.redskins.com/team/playerdevelopment