ADVANCE Series:

NETWORKING on NETWORKING

Bob Miller

Regents Professor OSU With thanks to Dr. Gayle R. Slaughter Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Baylor 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REASONS TO ATTEND CONFERENCES Stay current in your field By the time it’s published, it’s out of date Get broad overview of science, what’s hot What will you do next?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, 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

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 field

Presentations of people you want to meet

Special session; workshops, women Exhibits; see new toys, books

CONFERENCE ATTENDANCE

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, 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 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!

INTERACTING AT POSTERS

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