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Top tips for those attending a professional conference for the first time!
1. It's ok if you only understand the first few minutes of a talk (when the topic is being introduced). Absorb what you can, then tune in for the next talk. Many times it's the speaker at fault, not you.
1. It's ok if you only understand the first few minutes of a talk (when the topic is being introduced). Absorb what you can, then tune in for the next talk. Many times it's the speaker at fault, not you.
2. Conference rooms are notoriously cold: wear some extra layers and maybe a scarf.
3. Always introduce yourself with your first & last name (& affiliation). You are not a disposable, forgettable person whose identity doesn't matter! Sure, 95% of people will forget your name, but using your first name only conveys that they shouldn't even bother trying.
4. Shy? Welcome to the club! Pick a certain number of cold introductions and force yourself to do it (like, sit down near someone new at each talk session).
((Just pick a random person and approach with a warm friendly confidence, like: "Hi, I'm Anne Carpenter. I work on data science at the Broad Institute." Try as much as you can to suppress body language that conveys that they wouldn't want to talk to you.))
5. Super shy? Spot the loneliest-looking person in the room and introduce yourself to that person!
6. Download an app that makes white noise so you sleep better at night and notice bumps in the night less. I like Sleep Pillow.
Can you add more tips?
Can you add more tips?
Airplane and hotel air is dry. Did you know there are more colds in the winter not because it's cold but because it's dry? I swear by using saline nasal gel or Vaseline in the nose before flights to reduce catching something.
