[Itech] Getting the Most Out of a Research Conference

Fri Jun 4 08:39:12 EDT 2010

Graduates:

This article has some great tips for attending conferences.  You may want to
think about them as you plan for your conference attendance or presentations
next year.

Dr. Franklin

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Rick Reis < reis at stanford.edu 
>
Date: Thu, Jun 3, 2010 at 1:03 PM
Subject: TP Msg. #1030 Getting the Most Out of a Research Conference
To: tomorrows-professor at lists.stanford.edu 
Practice how you will introduce yourself. Prepare a 30-second version about
you and your research and a slightly longer version in case someone asks for
more. Check out your handshake to be sure it is not too limp or too strong.
A good handshake can make a great impression.
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Folks:

The posting below gives some good tips on getting the most out of a research
conference.  It is from the April 2010 issue of the online publication
 Graduate Connections Newsletter
[ http://www.unl.edu/gradstudies/current/dev/newsletter/] 
, pp 4-5, from the
University of Nebraska-Lincoln and is published by the Office of Graduate
Studies. ©2010 Graduate Studies, University of Nebraska-Lincoln.  Reprinted
with permission.

Regards,

Rick Reis reis at stanford.edu 
UP NEXT: Gaining Factual Knowledge

                                                             Tomorrow's
Research

            ---------------------------------------- 586 words
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                                             Getting the Most Out of a
Research Conference

Traveling to a research conference as a graduate student is expensive but
priceless. To keep costs down, buy your airline ticket well in advance and
try to share a hotel room with one or more of your colleagues. The benefits
of attending may outweigh the cost because conferences can offer
opportunities for career enhancement, help you gain more information about
your research and lead to valuable contacts with other people in your
research area.

Here are some tips to help you get the most out of the experience.

Before the Conference

* Think about the connection between the value of going to the conference
and your professional and personal goals.

* Strategize about your main goals for attending, and decide what you
want to achieve. Make as detailed a list as possible.

* Look at the conference schedule as soon as it is available and decide what
sessions, activities, panel discussions, dinners, receptions, etc., will
help you get more information about your research and enable you to make
valuable contacts.

* Gather information about the speakers, make a priority list of who you
want to meet, and research them. Call or e-mail to introduce yourself and
make an appointment with them in advance, if possible. (Information sources
include their business Web site, and possibly blogs, twitter streams and
other social media sites.) Practice how you will introduce yourself. Prepare
a 30-second version about you and your research and a slightly longer
version in case someone asks for more.Check out your handshake to be sure it
is not too limp or too strong. A good handshake can make a great impression.

* Make some business cards with your name, e-mail and research interest and
carry them with you to
give to people you want to contact you later.

* Prepare a list of questions you need to have answered or discussed.

* Print out the conference details, your planning or goals list, and travel
details in advance; check the weather forecast; back up your laptop and
charge the batteries.

During the Conference

* Stay at the same hotel as the conference, if possible, because valuable
contact can take place in the lobby or in the hotel coffee shop.

* Dress for success. Looking like a professional will help you make a good
impression.

* Don't drink alcohol at the conference venue or around people with whom you
want to create a professional relationship.

After the Conference

* Take time to reflect on what took place. Did you get the information you
needed and did you make good contacts? If not, why not? How could you do a
better job? If you didn't do so well, maybe it's time to take advantage of
graduate student development. See the Graduate Studies Web site
[ http://www.unl.edu/gradstudies/current/dev/ 
] for some helpful resources.

* Craft or update your CV so it illustrates your education, awards
background and skills.

* Contact people whose presentations you could not attend and get materials
if they are not available through the conference Web site.

* Stay in contact with your department alumni to increase opportunities for
future contact with people sharing your research interests.

* Send a thank you e-mail to those who went out of their way to meet with
you or those who provided you with important information. Let them know what
you took away with you.

Sources:

10 Things you Can Do Preparing for the Conference. August 18, 2009.
bestconferencetips.com/conference-research/.. Twenty Tips for Getting the
Most out of your Research Conference Experience.
utexas.edu/ogs/gradlife/academics/research/conf_exp.h tml.

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[Itech] Getting the Most Out of a Research Conference

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