After completing my 3rd year as a doctoral student, and 2nd year full-time, I have been to many conferences. I've been to local, regional, state, and national conferences, both research- and practitioner-focused.
When I went to my first conference, I was so nervous I couldn't stand it. Now, I don't get very nervous, but I've learned a thing or two to make sure I get the most out of the conference, while still networking and having fun.
Here is my Conferencing 101 based on what I have learned and tried at conferences!
1. Conferences are for networking. There is no way around this one. The point of a conference is to share your ideas with others and learn from their ideas. It's all about talking to people! Therefore, it is important to attend conferences armed with business cards to share. If you are presenting, have some kind of material to physically share with people who attend your presentation (e.g., an online file-sharing, handouts of slides, handouts of activities and documents, a copy of your research paper). People will return home, unpack their bag, and find your business card or materials then reach out to you again.
2. View the program ahead of time. If the program and schedule are available online, view them before getting to the conference. If they are not available online, carve out about 30 minutes once you get to the conference to view the program. Use this time to look for certain people on the program that you want to meet (e.g., people who do similar research as you, or if you are looking for a job, people who work where you are applying). Also, look for several sessions that you want to attend. It is not necessary to attend every single session on the program, but you want to attend a few each day. Pick sessions that interest you, align with your research, present research contrary to your own, or deal with new policies or methodologies. Take this time to learn and expand what you know as well as learning about your own interest more.
3. Get a mentor. I have now attended two conferences in which I got a mentor, and I have loved it! The experience of getting to talk to someone with a new perspective can be enlightening. Usually, you will schedule a short period of time (20-30 minutes) to meet with your mentor. You can ask this person for advice, questions, or just chat about the conference and what is happening in your field. These people also become great networking advantages as they usually know more about the conference and more people who attend.
4. Take advantage of workshops. I've attended several workshops at different conferences I've attended and they are usually very rewarding. Experts in the field host these workshops and oftentimes provide handouts and documents that can be referenced later. Many workshops in my field relate to methodologies, writing, or managing time. While some of the topics are familiar to me, it can be refreshing and motivating to hear about them from a new perspective.
5. Enjoy the travel! I am a firm believer in working hard, playing hard. Academics work extremely hard and that includes time at conferences. Many conferences are held in interesting cities and historical locations; therefore, take advantage of the travel opportunity! I always plan at least one day of a conference to go sight-seeing in the city and enjoying being in a new place. This includes visiting tourist attractions, learning at museums, and enjoying yummy food. This part of conferencing is just as important as the networking opportunities.
6. Attend the social events. Most conferences have networking opportunities as social events. These can be awards lunches, planned dinners, happy hours, receptions, or breakfasts. This is where the informal chats happen, and there is usually free food and beverages (sometimes alcoholic). It is important to be seen at these events because people who have met you will look for you there, and you get an opportunity to talk in a non-academic setting. You can share ideas, ask questions, or mingle freely.
7. Do a few things on your own. Most people travel to conferences with at least one other colleague. While it is nice to have someone to travel with and attend conference events, it is important to step out and go to a few events alone. By going to a session by yourself, you are forced to talk to different people, sit next to different people, and share new ideas with someone you do not already know. This can be very empowering and brings the focus back to networking with new people.
8. Plan questions. As I am reviewing sessions I want to attend or planning out meetings with different people, I always prepare a few open-ended questions. These can be related to specific topics in your field or more broad ideas about policy or research. As a doctoral student, I also ask questions about conferences, publications, presentations, dissertation, and job-searching. Having these questions readily available ensures that I never meet someone without being ready for conversation. It also shows an attention to detail and a thirst for knowledge.
There are many more suggestions and tips for attending conferences, but remember, the goal is to network and share ideas!
Happy Conferencing!
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