CDLP: 4 Takeaways from a CDLP Awardee

CDLP: 4 Takeaways from a CDLP Awardee

Cope Feurer, PhD

Cope Feurer, PhD

Cope Feurer, PhD (she/her) is currently a T32 postdoctoral fellow at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). Her program of research utilizes a multiple levels of analysis approach integrating peripheral and neurophysiological methods to examine risk for adolescent internalizing disorders, particularly within the context of real-world stress exposure and stress generation. Dr. Feurer was a 2020/2021 CDLP Research Track Awardee, and is currently a member of both the Digital Outreach Committee for the Early Career Professionals & Students SIG and the 2022 CDLP Committee.

Boost Search Results
Off

CDLP: 4 Takeaways from a CDLP Awardee

Share
Yes
Early Career Path - Awards Program CDLP

During the fall of 2019 I was at a pivotal point in my career trajectory. I had just started my pre-doctoral internship year and was preparing to apply for post-doctoral positions – a last step in my training as I pursued a career in research. So, when I learned about ADAA’s Alies Muskin Career Development Leadership Award Program (CDLP) and its focus on providing early career researchers and clinicians with intensive mentoring and professional development opportunities, I knew I wanted to apply. Although I was excited for the opportunities provided by the CDLP, I was unsure what exactly the program entailed, what the mentorship looked like, and how I would benefit. I was fortunate enough to be selected as a research track 2020/2021 CDLP awardee, and below are some of the aspects of CDLP that I found the most impactful. 

  1. Individual Mentorship. As a CDLP awardee, one of the major benefits is the individual mentorship you receive from a senior ADAA member. I was matched with a senior researcher with similar interests to my own, with whom I met individually to discuss my short- and long-term goals. It was incredibly helpful to discuss and get feedback as I applied to postdocs in 2020 and prepared my first federal grant in 2021. Another thing I greatly appreciated was hearing about my mentor’s own career trajectory and prioritization of their work-life balance. My mentor’s dedication to providing me with a rich mentee experience was evident and she was exceedingly open to discussing the professional, logistical, and personal decision points that go into setting the course of one’s career path. Overall, this one-on-one mentorship experience was one of the highlights of the CDLP program for me.
  2. Small-Group Mentorship. In addition to being paired with an individual mentor, awardees also receive mentorship within smaller breakout groups during the pre-conference day of CDLP programming. Within the research track, these small groups included both senior ADAA members and other CDLP awardees with similar interests. There were multiple aspects of the breakout groups that made this aspect of the CDLP programming so helpful. First, each awardee presented on a research project and received feedback from the group. At the time I participated in the CDLP, I was preparing to submit my first federal grant and decided to present my specific aims. It was so helpful to get advice, feedback, and encouragement about my project from both the senior ADAA members and other CDLP awardees. Another thing I appreciated about my breakout group was that although all awardees were early career researchers, we varied in our career stages, which means that we each came in with our own unique experiences and perspectives. Watching everyone’s presentations and talking to the other awardees, this diversity in experience was particularly helpful as I received insight into what the next stages of my career may look like as I look ahead towards a career as an independent researcher. 
  3. ADAA Registration and Membership. Another great benefit of completing the CDLP is the complementary ADAA membership and conference registration. I have been a member of ADAA since the spring of 2014, when I presented my first independent research project as a poster at the Chicago conference. Even from the beginning, I have loved the networking and professional benefits of attending the annual conference each year. Not only does the annual conference allow me to present and receive feedback on my own research, but it allows me to stay up-to-date with the cutting edge research being conducted by leaders in our field. Furthermore, outside of the presentations themselves, ADAA provides several networking opportunities for early career members, such as the Early Career Professionals and Students SIG Luncheon. I would highly recommend the ADAA conference to anyone with a clinical or research interest in depression and anxiety. 
  4. Other Benefits. Beyond these highlights, there were many other benefits to the CDLP program. For example, in addition to the mentorship break-out groups, the CDLP programming for the research track also included presentations on forging a successful career in academia and a panel on federal funding opportunities for early career researchers. The CDLP was also a great opportunity for networking, as I got to meet several senior and early-career researchers in my field. Finally, thanks to the CDLP, I was able to attend the ACNP conference, which was a conference I would have not had access to otherwise, as attendance typically requires sponsorship from an active member. 

In sum, the mentorship and benefits provided by the CDLP are fantastic professional development opportunities. My takeaway from participating in the CDLP? If you are an early career researcher or clinician who is wondering whether the CDLP would benefit you – apply!
 

Cope Feurer, PhD

Cope Feurer, PhD

Cope Feurer, PhD (she/her) is currently a T32 postdoctoral fellow at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). Her program of research utilizes a multiple levels of analysis approach integrating peripheral and neurophysiological methods to examine risk for adolescent internalizing disorders, particularly within the context of real-world stress exposure and stress generation. Dr. Feurer was a 2020/2021 CDLP Research Track Awardee, and is currently a member of both the Digital Outreach Committee for the Early Career Professionals & Students SIG and the 2022 CDLP Committee.

Use of Website Blog Commenting

ADAA Blog Content and Blog Comments Policy

ADAA provides this Website blogs for the benefit of its members and the public. The content, view and opinions published in Blogs written by our personnel or contributors – or from links or posts on the Website from other sources - belong solely to their respective authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of ADAA, its members, management or employees. Any comments or opinions expressed are those of their respective contributors only. Please remember that the open and real-time nature of the comments posted to these venues makes it is impossible for ADAA to confirm the validity of any content posted, and though we reserve the right to review and edit or delete any such comment, we do not guarantee that we will monitor or review it. As such, we are not responsible for any messages posted or the consequences of following any advice offered within such posts. If you find any posts in these posts/comments to be offensive, inaccurate or objectionable, please contact us via email at [email protected] and reference the relevant content. If we determine that removal of a post or posts is necessary, we will make reasonable efforts to do so in a timely manner.

ADAA expressly disclaims responsibility for and liabilities resulting from, any information or communications from and between users of ADAA’s blog post commenting features. Users acknowledge and agree that they may be individually liable for anything they communicate using ADAA’s blogs, including but not limited to defamatory, discriminatory, false or unauthorized information. Users are cautioned that they are responsible for complying with the requirements of applicable copyright and trademark laws and regulations. By submitting a response, comment or content, you agree that such submission is non-confidential for all purposes. Any submission to this Website will be deemed and remain the property of ADAA.

The ADAA blogs are forums for individuals to share their opinions, experiences and thoughts related to mental illness. ADAA wants to ensure the integrity of this service and therefore, use of this service is limited to participants who agree to adhere to the following guidelines:

1. Refrain from transmitting any message, information, data, or text that is unlawful, threatening, abusive, harassing, defamatory, vulgar, obscene, that may be invasive of another 's privacy, hateful, or bashing communications - especially those aimed at gender, race, color, sexual orientation, national origin, religious views or disability.

Please note that there is a review process whereby all comments posted to blog posts and webinars are reviewed by ADAA staff to determine appropriateness before comments are posted. ADAA reserves the right to remove or edit a post containing offensive material as defined by ADAA.

ADAA reserves the right to remove or edit posts that contain explicit, obscene, offensive, or vulgar language. Similarly, posts that contain any graphic files will be removed immediately upon notice.

2. Refrain from posting or transmitting any unsolicited, promotional materials, "junk mail," "spam," "chain mail," "pyramid schemes" or any other form of solicitation. ADAA reserves the right to delete these posts immediately upon notice.

3. ADAA invites and encourages a healthy exchange of opinions. If you disagree with a participant 's post or opinion and wish to challenge it, do so with respect. The real objective of the ADAA blog post commenting function is to promote discussion and understanding, not to convince others that your opinion is "right." Name calling, insults, and personal attacks are not appropriate and will not be tolerated. ADAA will remove these posts immediately upon notice.

4. ADAA promotes privacy and encourages participants to keep personal information such as address and telephone number from being posted. Similarly, do not ask for personal information from other participants. Any comments that ask for telephone, address, e-mail, surveys and research studies will not be approved for posting.

5. Participants should be aware that the opinions, beliefs and statements on blog posts do not necessarily represent the opinions and beliefs of ADAA. Participants also agree that ADAA is not to be held liable for any loss or injury caused, in whole or in part, by sponsorship of blog post commenting. Participants also agree that ADAA reserves the right to report any suspicions of harm to self or others as evidenced by participant posts.

RESOURCES AND NEWS
Evidence-based Tips & Strategies from our Member Experts
RELATED ARTICLES
Block reference