March 2021
I am an introvert, but I LOVE conferences. I think it’s because I can be really social for 2-3 days and then not have to maintain the same type of energy in my day-to-day interactions.
Anyways, conferencing can be daunting for folks of all levels of experience, not just first-timers.
Here are some tips to get you through them:
Download the conference app (but get the printed book too).
Download the conference app (if there is one) but also request a hard copy of the program book. The hard copy comes in handy if your phone dies or if you do not want to carry around your tablet or laptop all day.
Read the program book from cover to cover.
Do this before the conference begins. Once it starts, there will be so much going on that you will not have time to do anything but skim the book. Circle the sessions you plan to attend. Be sure to include backups in case they are cancelled, or the room gets full and they stop letting in attendees. If there are events that are open for multiple hours or over several days (e.g., exhibit halls), plan exactly when you are going to go.
Attend the extra stuff.
Lots of folks will show up to the happy hour at the bowling alley. However, few will attend the annual membership or committee meetings. Sampling all the conference has to offer will give you the chance to network in smaller settings and find out information before it hits the organization’s listserv.
Network vertically and laterally.
Many people seek to get face time with well-known names who are influential in the field. There is nothing wrong with this. One of the reasons for attending the conference is to learn from experts. However, people spend much less time networking laterally (i.e., grad student to grad student, or grad student to post doc). Here’s why this is important. The big names will meet a lot of individuals. They are not going to remember everyone they meet. Say you email one of them a few months later to follow up and they do not remember you. Some of the first folks they are going to ask if they remember you are their graduate students and post docs. Hence, the latter two could unknowingly become your promoters. If a postdoc is transitioning into a permanent position and needs to be replaced, you could be on their list of recommendations to their PI. Do not underestimate the power of lateral networking.
Use notepads and pens.
I am old school. I use a black and white composition book when I am at conferences. This works well for me because all my conference notes are stored in one spot. If I ever need to look something up that was mentioned at a conference, I know where to look. It saves me from having to rummage through loose leaf paper that I wrote on months ago. Some people prefer taking electronic notes because they can be easily stored, rearranged, and organized. But if you do this, you will have to carry your device and its charging cord around for the duration of the conference. Plus, you will have to make sure it stays charged. I do not want to have to keep up with any of those things, so I stick with my pen and paper.
Use the restroom during breaks.
Nothing is worse than getting into a good conversation after a session, walking straight to the next one, finding the perfect seat, having an engaging presenter and then realizing you need to go. The session is an hour long, and you don’t want to miss any of it. I find it’s best to go during the intervals between sessions, as the restrooms are usually in higher demand during the longer downtime periods like coffee breaks or lunch.
Keep your business cards handy.
Tuck them behind your name in your lanyard. This saves you from having to search for them in the bottom of your bag or briefcase. Also, when you collect business cards, write on the back of each one several words or a short phrase that remind you of the person. You will thank me when you want to reach out to that individual months later and have to draft the email. You will be able to personalize your message based on what you talked about at the conference.
Keep mints, a water bottle and a scarf handy.
Mints are better than gum because you don’t want to forget you have gum in your mouth and start talking with someone. Chewing gum while talking is not professional. A water bottle is important because it is so vital to stay hydrated. It takes a lot of energy to be social, so you have to keep your body happy. I go a step further by purchasing Gatorade at the airport or hotel when I arrive. It’s handy to have at nights to restore your electrolytes. Also, conference rooms can get so chilly! I bring a scarf or shawl to drape around me because I hate feeling cold. They are less bulky than carrying around a jacket.
Get enough sleep.
If you’re presenting, be sure to be in the bed with enough time to get eight to nine hours of sleep. You’ll need to look your best the next day. If there is a session you want to attend at 8:15 AM, get some decent sleep the night before so you won’t be tempted to sleep in. I have two toddlers and a spouse, so I relish any opportunity to sleep alone in a king-size bed. Additionally, conferences can increase your visibility. People want to be seen and known, especially during academic hiring season. But you have to know your limits. Staying up late is going to affect your concentration and temperament. It’s perfectly okay to excuse yourself after a long day, even if everyone else plans to stay up for another few hours socializing.
I hope you have found these tips helpful! What would you add to this list?
Sakina Dixon is a doctoral student in the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications.
Anyways, conferencing can be daunting for folks of all levels of experience, not just first-timers.
Here are some tips to get you through them:
Download the conference app (but get the printed book too).
Download the conference app (if there is one) but also request a hard copy of the program book. The hard copy comes in handy if your phone dies or if you do not want to carry around your tablet or laptop all day.
Read the program book from cover to cover.
Do this before the conference begins. Once it starts, there will be so much going on that you will not have time to do anything but skim the book. Circle the sessions you plan to attend. Be sure to include backups in case they are cancelled, or the room gets full and they stop letting in attendees. If there are events that are open for multiple hours or over several days (e.g., exhibit halls), plan exactly when you are going to go.
Attend the extra stuff.
Lots of folks will show up to the happy hour at the bowling alley. However, few will attend the annual membership or committee meetings. Sampling all the conference has to offer will give you the chance to network in smaller settings and find out information before it hits the organization’s listserv.
Network vertically and laterally.
Many people seek to get face time with well-known names who are influential in the field. There is nothing wrong with this. One of the reasons for attending the conference is to learn from experts. However, people spend much less time networking laterally (i.e., grad student to grad student, or grad student to post doc). Here’s why this is important. The big names will meet a lot of individuals. They are not going to remember everyone they meet. Say you email one of them a few months later to follow up and they do not remember you. Some of the first folks they are going to ask if they remember you are their graduate students and post docs. Hence, the latter two could unknowingly become your promoters. If a postdoc is transitioning into a permanent position and needs to be replaced, you could be on their list of recommendations to their PI. Do not underestimate the power of lateral networking.
Use notepads and pens.
I am old school. I use a black and white composition book when I am at conferences. This works well for me because all my conference notes are stored in one spot. If I ever need to look something up that was mentioned at a conference, I know where to look. It saves me from having to rummage through loose leaf paper that I wrote on months ago. Some people prefer taking electronic notes because they can be easily stored, rearranged, and organized. But if you do this, you will have to carry your device and its charging cord around for the duration of the conference. Plus, you will have to make sure it stays charged. I do not want to have to keep up with any of those things, so I stick with my pen and paper.
Use the restroom during breaks.
Nothing is worse than getting into a good conversation after a session, walking straight to the next one, finding the perfect seat, having an engaging presenter and then realizing you need to go. The session is an hour long, and you don’t want to miss any of it. I find it’s best to go during the intervals between sessions, as the restrooms are usually in higher demand during the longer downtime periods like coffee breaks or lunch.
Keep your business cards handy.
Tuck them behind your name in your lanyard. This saves you from having to search for them in the bottom of your bag or briefcase. Also, when you collect business cards, write on the back of each one several words or a short phrase that remind you of the person. You will thank me when you want to reach out to that individual months later and have to draft the email. You will be able to personalize your message based on what you talked about at the conference.
Keep mints, a water bottle and a scarf handy.
Mints are better than gum because you don’t want to forget you have gum in your mouth and start talking with someone. Chewing gum while talking is not professional. A water bottle is important because it is so vital to stay hydrated. It takes a lot of energy to be social, so you have to keep your body happy. I go a step further by purchasing Gatorade at the airport or hotel when I arrive. It’s handy to have at nights to restore your electrolytes. Also, conference rooms can get so chilly! I bring a scarf or shawl to drape around me because I hate feeling cold. They are less bulky than carrying around a jacket.
Get enough sleep.
If you’re presenting, be sure to be in the bed with enough time to get eight to nine hours of sleep. You’ll need to look your best the next day. If there is a session you want to attend at 8:15 AM, get some decent sleep the night before so you won’t be tempted to sleep in. I have two toddlers and a spouse, so I relish any opportunity to sleep alone in a king-size bed. Additionally, conferences can increase your visibility. People want to be seen and known, especially during academic hiring season. But you have to know your limits. Staying up late is going to affect your concentration and temperament. It’s perfectly okay to excuse yourself after a long day, even if everyone else plans to stay up for another few hours socializing.
I hope you have found these tips helpful! What would you add to this list?
Sakina Dixon is a doctoral student in the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communications.