Getting the Most
Out of A
Professional
Meeting
Gail P. Taylor
University of Texas at San Antonio
Aug 2006
02/25/2009
Acknowledgements
Survival Skills and Ethics Program, University of Pittsburgh
Beth A. Fischer & Michael J. Zigmond
http://www.survival.pitt.edu/library/documents.asp
What is a Professional Meeting?
Scientific Conference
– Scientists gather
– Share information
Formally and informally
Sponsored by a Scientific Organization/Entity
– Society for Neuroscience
– SACNAS
– ABRCMS
Vary in size
– Institutional to International
Can be overwhelming
Why go?
Recent developments in field
Broaden knowledge
Obtain experience
– Presentations
– Posters
Feedback
Network
Learn about funding/program officers
Employment
opportunities/interviews/workshops
Newest equipment/tools
1. What happens there?
Found in program
– Lectures (renown speaker)
– Symposia (same topic, leading investigators)
– “Voluntary” presentations
Talk
Poster
– Roundtables (discussion)
– Socials events/Dinners (networking!)
2. What happens there?
– Exhibits
Funding agencies
Equipment manufacturers
Publishers
Placement services
Bulletin boards
Graduate schools (ABRCMS; SACNAS)
Societies
– Workshops
– Satellite meetings – focused sub-conference
Before You Attend
Prepare!
Pre-register
Make travel arrangements early
– Safety, networking, convenience
Review program/abstracts (can do as group)
Plan sane but full schedule
– Plan in rest/exercise
– 5-10 posters per session
– Attend lectures of interest
Assemble conference binder
Prepare to network (75% jobs thru network)
Make and practice poster or presentation
Dress
Comfortable Shoes!
Presentations – Suit
Otherwise, academic “uniform”
Preparing for Personal
Questions
Develop and practice
– 10 second, 1 min, 2 min description of research
Be prepared to answer:
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What do you do?
What’s your research project?
How did you get interested in ________?
Why did you choose that (topic, technique,program,
etc)
– What do you plan to do after degree (short and long)
Once You’re There…
Have small briefcase or tote bag
Carry binder, small spiral, and program
Have friend/mentor (support; introductions)
Dress professionally…with comfortable shoes
Carry on luggage if possible
Breaks and meals- meeting is focus. A few
outings okay, but focus on conference activities
Getting/Keeping in Contact
Keep in contact with your family
Set up appointments beforehand
Use message center to contact people
May have email kiosks
Approach people at posters
Seek out hospitality rooms
Notes and Questions
Taking notes
– Focus
– Record questions
– Record potential contacts
Asking Questions
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–
–
–
–
–
Go for it
Write them down
Try to come up with three
Don’t interrupt speaker
Be brief and to the point
If you think that you will, sit near microphone
Posters
Can ask questions.
Can request “walk through”
Can ask about programs/postdocs
Women and Minorities
Take yourself seriously; be assertive
Don’t expect/let your mentor take over
Caveats…
Minimize possibilities for undesired
“encounters”
– Stay in public
– Bring a friend to meetings
– Pay your own way
– Make your own arrangements for local travel
– Meet for coffee, lunch, breakfast
Shorter; predefined ending
Overall…
Go there to explore your future and
expand your network!