Editor’s Column: Connection, Community, and Collective Impact

Hello TIP community,

Summer is officially here—if only the weather would let us be great, we would greatly appreciate it. From Memorial Day barbecues and family gatherings to graduation, the transition period from May to June is filled with fresh, crisp air, gorgeous flower fields (sorry to my people with allergies) and that itch to spend more time outdoors in nature. This time period also reminds me of reflection, renewal, forward movement, and, yes, heat.

With all this energy that comes from new beginnings, I’m excited to welcome and introduce our new Editorial Board: Derek Burns, Maria Gallego-Pace, Juliette Nelson, Keisha Phillips-Kong, and Gordon B. Schmidt. This talented group of academics, students, practitioners, and science practitioners brings a wealth of diverse ideas, perspectives, foresight, and thought leadership. I’m so grateful that they decided to join me on this journey to rebrand TIP while continuing to serve as an evidence-based resource that is timely, reflective, and inclusive of the full range of voices within our field.

Also join me in welcoming the newly minted PhDs and master’s-level I-O psychologists to our profession. This is a time filled with excitement about what’s next and especially scary with the current job market. Two of the most frequently asked questions we hear all the time from new graduates are, “How do I explain what I do as an I-O psychologist? or “How do I market myself and my skills in this job market.” Not surprising given the breadth and depth of our field. The very short answer: Basically anywhere that you can find employees, you will find an I-O psychologist. As I-O psychologists, whether early career, mid-career or seasoned professional, summer is the perfect opportunity to pause, reflect, and reconnect with your purpose (mainly your “why” behind joining this eclectic field).

For many of us the summer slowdown, coupled with warmer nights and longer days, often ushers us into connecting with friends and catching up (we outside). It’s the season that we say yes to more rooftop gatherings, brunch, beach days, and the “let’s catch up soon” from winter/fall that finally happens. It’s an opportunity to stretch beyond our comfort zones and routines to try something new and catch up.

Speaking of catching up, did you read the from SIOP’s President Scott Tannenbaum? It’s a timely reminder that in the midst of the current policy landscape, I-O psychologists as a collective are continuing to support, educate, inform, and, most importantly, advocate not only for our members but the organizations and communities that we serve. There is power in our community, most noticeably in times of uncertainty. We continue to amplify our prosocial efforts, all while staying grounded in our shared values.

This latest edition is perfectly curated for summer—think of it as part of your summer reading list. Our articles touch on connection, community, and collective impact. It further solidifies President Tannenbaum’s message on how we show up for each other, organizations, and society as a whole—as educators, lone practitioners, prosocial I-Os, students, artists, and system thinkers. Articles range from practical advice and encouragement for educators on how to handle burnout during uncertainty to advancing trauma-informed practices and advocating for I-O’s voice in public policy.

Maybe you missed it during #SIOP25, but we had our first-ever art show; the I-O creators have now provided us with a new framework like Workscapes. Whether you are a lone I-O or prosocial I-O, we build connection and community through shared values and purpose to engage in meaningful work that impacts others. We round it off with a town hall summary and findings from our SIOP exit survey that offer a deeper look into what our members value and envision as the future of our collective impact.

And because summer is as free flowing as a summer dress, I wanted to share a bit of lightness on what I have been loving and looking forward to lately.

What I’m Loving Lately

• Best season starter: Memorial Day weekend with soca (IYKYK) in the background, as it definitely sets the pace and the tone for a season of live concerts in the park.
• Current obsession: Walking everywhere—because the weather finally said yes. Bonus points for doing it with a friend and recording a podcast while walking.
• Reclaiming: My time, while recommending that you take that PTO. Seriously. Use it. You’ve earned it.
• Underrated joy: Watching summer sunrises and sunsets. Something about waking up early in the morning when the world is asleep always makes my heart flutter.
• Reminder I needed: Rest is a strategy, not a reward.

Before I close, I have one more nugget—check out this episode of At Work With the Ready podcast, where the hosts talk about surviving the summer slump. Let’s be real—from Memorial Day to Labor Day, the majority of people are mentally on summer break and want to be outside. My hope is that we can humanize work and see rest and recovery as essential, not just nice to haves.

Until the fall, have a lovely summer, and I’ll catch you on the next issue.