The SIOP Ambassador Program Creates Rewarding Experiences and Professional Relationships

Eleanor Lovering, Bailey Schrock, and Annie Simpson

“I am so thankful I participated in this program! My conference experience was absolutely enhanced because of my ambassador. He gave me a lot of insight on how to get the most out of the experience and also helped me feel connected at the conference where I knew very few other professionals. I look forward to passing this same experience forward to first-time attendees in the future.”

“I loved the program. As a first year MA student, this was a wonderful way to feel welcomed into the I-O community and to relieve any anxiety about navigating the conference for the first time. It was great to connect with someone before, during, and after!”

“My ambassador did a fantastic job at meeting with me early, giving me advice, and helping me have a great experience while I was there.”

–2022 Ambassador Program newcomer respondents

Fortunately, Ambassador Program experiences like these are not unique! According to the Ambassador Program survey conducted after the 2022 SIOP Annual Conference, the majority (86%) of newcomers were satisfied with their overall Ambassador Program experience. In addition, 82% of newcomers were satisfied with the relationship they had with their ambassador. Over 90% of newcomer respondents were likely to recommend the Ambassador Program to a prospective newcomer, and the majority of newcomers wanted to participate as an ambassador in the future!

Ambassadors also report enjoying the program just as much as newcomers do. The postconference survey showed that 89% of ambassadors were satisfied with the program, and 69% reported wanting to participate as an ambassador again in the future! Ambassadors were particularly satisfied with communication with their newcomer before the conference as well as their match. Furthermore, about 86% of ambassadors indicated they were open or likely to continue communicating with their newcomer after the conference. According to one ambassador, “My newcomer was great and I look forward to being an ambassador next year!” Another ambassador stated the program was a “great experience overall and I hope to remain in contact with them once they graduate next year.” The Ambassador Program overall is a great way to expand your network in the I-O community and create lasting professional relationships that help new conference attendees navigate the sessions. We’d love for you to participate!

Other insightful feedback from the postconference survey has helped us understand how we can improve the program as well as the newcomer and ambassador experiences. Specifically, this year’s Ambassador Program Committee has been focused on

• actively working on ways to better facilitate preconference communication between newcomers and their ambassador;
• increasing networking opportunities, both in person and online; and
• ensuring all parties remain engaged throughout the program.

Our newcomer base continues to remain strong with over 25% of SIOP conference attendees being first time newcomers. With the annual conference growing every year, SIOP can be an overwhelming (and exhilarating) experience, particularly for those who are new to the event. Since 2010, the SIOP Ambassador Program has supported our newest attendees by matching them with previous conference attendees willing to share what they’ve learned and pass along knowledge to support newcomer success.

Serving as an ambassador is a relatively small time commitment that can have a tremendous impact on first time SIOP attendees, including providing a positive introduction to the SIOP community.  Anyone wanting to participate as an ambassador or newcomer can sign up within the 2023 SIOP Annual Conference registration process. We encourage everyone from graduate students who are more advanced in their programs, recent graduates in academic or applied jobs, or more veteran SIOP members to consider showing a first-time SIOP conference attendee the ropes.  

A table with the program requirements for each role can be found below. 

We’re very excited about the 2023 SIOP Ambassador Program and look forward to your participation! Keep an eye out for this year’s program campaign and help us #MakeAConnection with someone new to SIOP.  If you have any questions about the Ambassador Program, contact us at ambassador@siop.org or visit our web page.

We’d love to hear your stories about being a newcomer or ambassador! If you had an experience with the Ambassador Program that you would like to share or photos of you with your ambassador or newcomer, please email us at ambassador@siop.org. For example: Have you continued your professional relationship beyond the conference in which you met? Have you had a research project or conference presentations with your ambassador or newcomer? Do you now work with your ambassador or newcomer?