ADVANCE Series: NETWORKING on NETWORKING

Bob MillerRegents Professor

OSUWith thanks to Dr. Gayle R. Slaughter

Graduate School of Biomedical SciencesBaylor College of Medicine

WHERE TO NETWORK? State Meetings

Oklahoma Academy of Sciences Regional Meetings National Meetings International Meetings 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By the time it’s published, it’s out of date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?

Cultivate connections with people

FINDING CONFERENCES

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

CONFERENCE PREPARATION

Review proposed program, speakersHow do you learn best? Talks, posters?Identify sessions you really want to attendGet 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

CONFERENCE PREPARATION

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 fieldPresentations of people you want to meetSpecial session; workshops, womenExhibits; see new toys, books

CONFERENCE ATTENDANCE

Keep your to-do list handyTake notes!! Use your abstract bookAdjust your schedule as neededMake the most of the time

Eating with others will be valuableDress 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 mentorsFuture collaboratorsFriends, 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 studentsSeminars speakersYour advisor’s collaboratorsPeople 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 departmentMeet faculty at retreats, parties, seminars, labs.

barsMeet other faculty in whose work you are

interested

PREPARING TO MAKE CONTACT

Make a file on really important people

Area of interest, publications, honorsContact information - email

Others who know them Who previously worked for themPersonal interest or hobbies; sailing, skiing or

tennis, etc.

POINTERS ON CONNECTING

Gauge the situation: formal, casual, down-right 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 contactsUse sessions, meals, meetings in bar, social

sessions

Get the program and abstract book ahead Do your homework; read some papers before

the conferenceGo to talks, posters of people you want to

meetMaking contact takes effort!

INTERACTING AT POSTERSTry to ask an intelligent question - do

homeworkTry to get your advisor or someone to

introduce you to the personTry 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 toughBut don’t give up!

POINTERS ON INTERACTING

Speak clearly, introduce yourself (as appropriate)

Comment on work; criticize carefullyBe a good listener

Almost everybody likes to talk about workPay attentionBe cautious about interrupting to show off

Contribute something to conversationDon’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

ideaSend any info you promised themMaintain periodic contactConnect before the next meeting; arrange to

see them

COFFEE TALK: TALK AMONG OURSELVES

Topic: Networking