Prepare for Professional Conversations

Image by Tumisu from Pixabay

By Jessica Harrington, Director

In light of tomorrow’s Career Fair (and beyond), we encourage students to prepare to connect with prospective employers and career mentors. At times, there will only be an opportunity for a simple elevator pitch . At other times, there may be an invitation to expound on one’s professional identity. To prepare for these encounters, practice articulating your professional impact, contributions, knowledge, and skills. Below are some prompts to get started.

Impact is one way to express the purpose behind your work. Impact questions include:
1.What is the impact I hope to make in public health? What changes am I aiming for through my profession?
2. Who/what populations or issues do I want to impact specifically?

Contributions are a way to describe how you’d like to advance toward your intended impact.
Contribution questions include:
1. What do I hope to bring to my field?
2. Whom do I hope to partner with in making contributions toward impact?
3. What ideas do I bring to the position/opportunity?
4. What advancements would I like to foster or be part of?

Interviews are often the opportunity to express what you already know about a position, organization, or area of expertise.
1. What do I already know about ______________?
2. How do/would I demonstrate this knowledge?
3. What do I hope to learn if provided the opportunity?

Skills are the tools you bring to the table to execute knowledge within a particular opportunity.
1. What skills have you acquired from prior positions and your education?
2. How do you hope to express those skills in a position?
3. What skills do you hope to learn in a new position?

Practice and reflect regularly since opportunities often come unannounced! If you attend the fair tomorrow, we will see you there.

Making the most out of conferences: It’s not about who you know, it’s about who knows you

Image by Gordon Johnson from Pixabay 

Do you remember your first academic conference and how nervous you were when you approached that presenter? What pushed you to introduce yourself? Was it your interest in their research or was it a friend that insisted you to go for it? 

For many academics, conferences are one of the main ways to network and make connections with others in their field. However, conferences can be very overwhelming and intimidating when you’re in a room full of experts. It’s very easy to only socialize with the people you know instead of stepping outside of your comfort zone. We’ve all been there. Approaching someone can be very be intimidating, especially if you want them to remember you. Yet, making meaningful connections at conferences doesn’t have to be a nightmare. 

Here are some useful tips to make an impactful networking experience:

1. Check the conference agenda in advance: It’s important to look at the programming days in advance to know which workshops and talks you want to attend. If there’s a presentation you’re interested in, look into the speaker and their research so you feel more comfortable approaching them after their talk.

2. Be intentional about your approach: Remember that collecting personal cards is not the goal. Most presenters and attendees have some networking experience so they will know if you’re just collecting their card to add it to your pile. Be genuine about your interest and be intentional. Always make eye contact so they know you’re actually paying attention. 

3. You want them to see you as future colleagues: The presenters are also there to make a good impression on the audience. When you introduce yourself to them and explain how your research aligns with theirs, you want them to see you as someone whom they could work with in the future. 

4. Don’t skip the poster session: People often skip the poster session to go relax and take a break from the conference. Do not skip the poster session. During this time, you will have the chance to have a 1-1 conversation and ask those questions you’re eager to ask. 

5. Use social media to your advantage: Academic Twitter can be a useful resource for you to meet those in your field that are attending the conference. Connect with them, invite them to your talk, and attend their talk. 

6. Last but not least: FOLLOW UP. The general rule of thumb is to give at least a week before following up. Write a clear email and mention a conversation you had with that person while at the conference. 

Best of luck during your next conference and remember, it’s not about who you know but about who knows you!