Bob Miller
Regents Professor
OSU
With thanks to Dr. Gayle R. Slaughter
Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Baylor College of Medicine

WHERE TO NETWORK?
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State Meetings
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Oklahoma Academy of Sciences
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Regional Meetings
National Meetings
International Meetings
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Subject-specific Meetings
Review Panels
Civic Groups
Music Groups
Others?

REASONS TO ATTEND CONFERENCES
Stay current in your field
By the time it’s published, it’s out of date
Get broad overview of science, what’s hot
What will you do next?

 Your Professional Society
 FASEB web site www.faseb.org
 Some have special activities for women, young faculty, etc.

EARLY CONFERENCE PREPARATION
Review proposed program, speakers
Does the conference fit your interests?
Get registration, hotel, flight info (costs)
Secure source of funding; reimbursement
Department, fellowships, check on travel award (ASM has special travel awards for women).
Send abstract (Always a better chance of getting money if you are presenting)
Complete registration/hotel forms, flights

Review proposed program, speakers
How do you learn best? Talks, posters?
Identify sessions you really want to attend
Get a copy of the abstract book EARLY (web?)
Check abstracts for specific talks, posters
Key words, authors; choices, use time wisely
Check the location of sessions

Make an hour-by-hour list of what you will do –– This will certainly change, but it will help you
See the important work in your field
Presentations of people you want to meet
Special session; workshops, women
Exhibits; see new toys, books

Keep your to-do list handy
Take notes!! Use your abstract book
Adjust your schedule as needed
Make the most of the time
Eating with others will be valuable
Dress professionally, comfortably, layers
Suits rarely needed; good shoes –a must!

PEOPLE WITH WHOM TO
MAKE CONNECTIONS
Leaders in the field (grant or manuscript reviewers; conference organizers; mentors)
Future mentors
Future collaborators
Friends, supporters
Those new people you didn’t know existed until you heard their talk/read their poster/over-heard them in coffee line.

PEOPLE IN YOUR NETWORK
Your & other Oklahoma University faculty.
Post-docs, grad students
Seminars speakers
Your advisor’s collaborators
People you meet at meetings

GETTING TO KNOW REGIONAL
FACULTY
Established Members of Faculty…

 are often on committees that pick speakers know people everywhere
Making contact with faculty
Get to know the faculty in your department
Meet faculty at retreats, parties, seminars, labs. bars
Meet other faculty in whose work you are interested

PREPARING TO MAKE CONTACT
Make a file on really important people
Area of interest, publications, honors
Contact information - email
Others who know them
Who previously worked for them
Personal interest or hobbies; sailing, skiing or tennis, etc.

POINTERS ON CONNECTING
Gauge the situation: formal, casual, downright rowdy - react appropriately
Personalities of people you need to know vary widely ; nice to real jerks
Many scientists are shy ; you need to make the first move; watch being pushy
The best connection is often the science , but not the only connection; hobbies

MAKING CONTACTS AT
CONFERENCES
Different strategy: large vs. small conferences target contacts
Use sessions, meals, meetings in bar, social sessions
Get the program and abstract book ahead
Do your homework; read some papers before the conference
Go to talks, posters of people you want to meet
Making contact takes effort!

Try to ask an intelligent question - do homework
Try to get your advisor or someone to introduce you to the person
Try to meet the person one-on-one or in a small group (special activity)
Know when to give up on meeting someone
Nobel prize winners are tough
But don’t give up!

POINTERS ON INTERACTING
Speak clearly, introduce yourself (as appropriate)
Comment on work; criticize carefully
Be a good listener
Almost everybody likes to talk about work
Pay attention
Be cautious about interrupting to show off
Contribute something to conversation
Don’t reveal lab secrets (talk to mentor!)

MAKING CONTACT WITH ELUSIVE
PREY
If all else fails…
CONTACT PEOPLE DIRECTLY
EVEN IF YOU HAVEN’T MET THEM e-mail is a good approach because it lets them chose the time to respond
Phone? Only if recommended to you

FOLLOW-UP WITH CONTACTS
Follow-up with new/renewed contacts e-mail, card, note about their presentation or an idea
Send any info you promised them
Maintain periodic contact
Connect before the next meeting; arrange to see them

COFFEE TALK: TALK AMONG OURSELVES
Topic: Networking