Networking at Conferences

[missentity]

Hello,

A few of my POIs are going to be at a conference I'm attending soon. Therefore, I was wondering whether anyone had advice to share regarding networking with these professors. Would it be worth it to email them ahead of time to ask whether they had time to meet to discuss their research? Or is it standard to try to catch them at a free moment after their presentations/during their poster sessions? I've gotten some advice regarding this in regards to one particular program but I'd love other general opinions/stories regarding successful networking. This is my first conference and it would be great if I could take full advantage of the opportunity to put myself out there and maximize my chances of getting in somewhere!

Thanks 🙂

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[roubs]

I wouldn't email them. I would introduce and maybe ask a couple questions after presentations(assuming they don't bolt). I would see what their lab is presenting in terms of posters.I would talk to students in their lab.

If you are talking about ABCT, I would go to SIG meetings in your interest areas and talk to people after those as well. Your POIs could be there, and you could even identify new POIs.

 

[missentity]

Yep, it's ABCT! And yea, I'm definitely going to seek out current students as well.

 

[psychRA]

Also keep in mind that POIs will have their own agendas during the time that they're at the conference - for many people, this is their yearly chance to reconnect with colleagues in person, and they're likely to have their own networking goals, too. They may simply not have the time to set up a formal meeting with someone. I know that I barely saw my own mentor at conferences every year, because she had a jam-packed schedule of people to see and meetings to attend.

I agree that the best bet is to try to catch people after they present. I would add that my earlier advice still applies - if you're able to chat with them, keep it brief, especially if there are other people waiting to chat with them. Introduce yourself, say that you're interested in their work, and ask maybe a question or two. If you have a chance to track down one of their grad students at a poster or talk, you may find that they have more free time and are more open to chatting with you about what it's like to work in their lab.

And finally: I did none of these things when I applied to schools. Didn't talk to POIs or grad students in person at conferences, didn't email anyone in advance. I still got in. It doesn't hurt, but it also isn't an automatic fail if you haven't done those things!

 

[Pragma]

And finally: I did none of these things when I applied to schools. Didn't talk to POIs or grad students in person at conferences, didn't email anyone in advance. I still got in. It doesn't hurt, but it also isn't an automatic fail if you haven't done those things!

Ditto! Definitely not a have-to.

 

[roubs]

Ditto! Definitely not a have-to.

Same here, and it's really more of a risk if you come off as too eager or pushy. I've seen that happen (more during interviews) even when people don't intend it, mostly because they are nervous.

 

[ResearchGirlie]

Ditto! Definitely not a have-to.

Agreed. And can often be seen as an annoyance or completely oblivious.

 

[AcronymAllergy]

I would imagine many professors would appreciate the effort you've put in when speaking with them at a conference. Emailing ahead of time is going to depend on the advisor--mine took me to meet with an undergrad for coffee after that exact scenario played out, so it certainly happens (my advisor also just happens to be a genuinely nice person). But as others have mentioned, don't place too much pressure on yourself, as it's certainly not a requirement for admission.

The most I ever did was email POIs ahead of time to see if they were taking students.

 

[becomethelight]

Same here, and it's really more of a risk if you come off as too eager or pushy. I've seen that happen (more during interviews) even when people don't intend it, mostly because they are nervous.

I can see it being perceived this way, but then again I feel if you are going to come off this way in an informal meeting at a conference you likely would during interview time. I see it more as being proactive and being confident in your interests and those of the potential mentor (or better - clarifying to make sure that your interests align).

I could see this being different depending on the culture of the area though. Maybe this would be more acceptable in the Northeast but less so in the South or Midwest, I'm not sure.

 

[psychRA]

I can see it being perceived this way, but then again I feel if you are going to come off this way in an informal meeting at a conference you likely would during interview time. I see it more as being proactive and being confident in your interests and those of the potential mentor (or better - clarifying to make sure that your interests align).

I think that context may make the distinction here, at least for some. During an interview, you're expected to talk about your research interests, and to have questions about the potential mentor and the program. During interviews at most programs, you'll have 30-60 minutes to meet one on one with professors, and ideally, their focus is solely on you during that time. Whereas at a conference, the POI is juggling lots of different meetings and activities, and may or may not be able to devote their full time and attention to someone who's asking lots of questions.

Personally, I can say that it's somewhat off-putting when an individual is asking me a TON of questions at a conference. I've had people seek me out to ask about my research lab/mentor, and I'm happy to chat, but if someone corners me at a poster session and won't let up with the questions, it comes across as pushy. I've also been a representative for my internship site during conference networking sessions, and when people are asking lots of very specific questions (that only apply to them) without seeming regard for the other students who have gathered at the table and are also waiting to talk with the site reps, it's a little irritating. This is especially true when students are asking lots of questions that are addressed in the site's brochure. I'm happy to answer multiple questions about the experience of being an intern at my site; however, when someone wants to know how many rotations we have, how many interns are typically in a cohort, the salary, etc., I'm less excited.

 

[missentity]

Thanks for the feedback! I've been receiving comments from people whom I've talked to about this conference (who are not psychologists/psychology students and have never been to conferences) that I need to network ("you have be assertive and find these professors," "you can't afford to be shy, this is your career," "it can't hurt", etc). I definitely do not want to appear pushy or awkward. If I have genuine questions to ask them about their research, I'll ask them but I'll be cautious about it!

 

[ResearchGirlie]

Thanks for the feedback! I've been receiving comments from people whom I've talked to about this conference (who are not psychologists/psychology students and have never been to conferences) that I need to network ("you have be assertive and find these professors," "you can't afford to be shy, this is your career," "it can't hurt", etc). I definitely do not want to appear pushy or awkward. If I have genuine questions to ask them about their research, I'll ask them but I'll be cautious about it!

It's so hard to translate the weird world of academia to the outside world of regular business practices.

At least in my experience, professors tend to be more shy/awkward/socially odd than the regular business person who is out to network and hand out cards to everyone.

Just use your best judgement. If they seem into the conversation that's fine - run with it. If they are slowly walking away or only answer briefly you can take a hint. 😉

 

[PsychBrownBag]

Just an FYI. There's going to be a "graduate programs on parade" event at ABCT. It's Friday from 5:45-6:15 and a bunch of programs will be there to answer questions. There's a related panel discussion for 90 minutes leading up to that too. It's supposed to mirror the internship meet and greet.

 

[becomethelight]

Just an FYI. There's going to be a "graduate programs on parade" event at ABCT. It's Friday from 5:45-6:15 and a bunch of programs will be there to answer questions. There's a related panel discussion for 90 minutes leading up to that too. It's supposed to mirror the internship meet and greet.

That's great! I wish all conferences did something similar!

 

[Pragma]

I think that context may make the distinction here, at least for some. During an interview, you're expected to talk about your research interests, and to have questions about the potential mentor and the program. During interviews at most programs, you'll have 30-60 minutes to meet one on one with professors, and ideally, their focus is solely on you during that time. Whereas at a conference, the POI is juggling lots of different meetings and activities, and may or may not be able to devote their full time and attention to someone who's asking lots of questions.

Personally, I can say that it's somewhat off-putting when an individual is asking me a TON of questions at a conference. I've had people seek me out to ask about my research lab/mentor, and I'm happy to chat, but if someone corners me at a poster session and won't let up with the questions, it comes across as pushy. I've also been a representative for my internship site during conference networking sessions, and when people are asking lots of very specific questions (that only apply to them) without seeming regard for the other students who have gathered at the table and are also waiting to talk with the site reps, it's a little irritating. This is especially true when students are asking lots of questions that are addressed in the site's brochure. I'm happy to answer multiple questions about the experience of being an intern at my site; however, when someone wants to know how many rotations we have, how many interns are typically in a cohort, the salary, etc., I'm less excited.

This probably will sound vague, but I'd say that how you will come off if you try to talk to someone at a conference largely depends on your level of maturity and social skills. I think there is a way to do it and score points with a POI or other students, but you need to assess how the interaction is going and adjust accordingly. I don't think a lot of folks necessarily know how to do that.

 

[missentity]

Just an FYI. There's going to be a "graduate programs on parade" event at ABCT. It's Friday from 5:45-6:15 and a bunch of programs will be there to answer questions. There's a related panel discussion for 90 minutes leading up to that too. It's supposed to mirror the internship meet and greet.

I knew there was going to be a "How to Get Into Grad School" panel but I didn't know there were going to be reps to answer questions about their programs! That's super cool and I can't wait!

This probably will sound vague, but I'd say that how you will come off if you try to talk to someone at a conference largely depends on your level of maturity and social skills. I think there is a way to do it and score points with a POI or other students, but you need to assess how the interaction is going and adjust accordingly. I don't think a lot of folks necessarily know how to do that.

Yea, I'm fine I think ahead and have some questions in mind but if not, there's the risk of getting tongue tied. I wish I had a natural gift for schmoozing, I have to work at it! Unfortunately, schmoozing doesn't seem to be a genetically inherited skill (both my parents are excellent).

 

[ClinicalABA]

I would second the suggestion about going to SIG meetings at ABCT. They are smaller and more intimate settings, with less "networkers" between you and the person you want to talk to. Often there are opportunities for students to get more directly involved (e.g. student chairs or membership coordinators). Also, the SIG poster session is a good opportunity to present some of your work in a more relaxed, informal setting. If you have a mentor that can help hook you up with others, ask her/him to do so. Connections I made at through SIGs at (what was then) AABT were major influences on where I got a pre- and post-doctoral internship. Additionally, contacts (and presentations) with students from other schools led to a generally more tolerable, even pleasant, internship interview experience, as I often ran into applicants I knew when on interviews.

Networking is key! I really think one of the most valuable things my mentor did for me was get me out there, meeting people in the field, inviting me to dinner at conferences, hooking me up with some of prominent researchers to be discussants or chairs on papers I presented (quid pro quo- "you do it for my student, I'll do it for yours").