This is the second part in my series on my advice for graduate students. It may seem odd to go from applying for doctoral studies to covering the topic for this blog, conferencing and networking as a graduate student. However, some of the advice is useful for undergraduate and Master’s level students who are looking to make the most of their time in academia.
The main reason for that is that networking and conferencing go hand-in-hand in my opinion. Whether it is meeting new students in your program, making connections at any level of your studies, staying in contact with scholars ranging from former professors to people you meet at conferences, to presenting at conferences, it can be an easy way to help whatever career path you take following graduate studies. The importance of networking is self-explanatory, whether you plan to make a run at an academic position or aim to leave academia entirely. Unfortunately, from my experience, networking is something with which many students struggle.
So how to do it? Here are some simple pieces of advice.
- Send an email
One thing I learned very quickly when starting my graduate studies was the importance of reaching out. As simple as it sounds, sending an email and touching base with a scholar in your field or in a related topic can be an easy way of saying hello and starting an interaction that can help your research or lead to meeting a friendly face at a conference.
If you have noticed someone is working on a related subject or you read their book and want some clarification, send an email. Most often, the worst case scenario is that they ignore you or cannot help you. Be respectful, introduce yourself, mention your project and ask a question. Even if you don’t have a question, if you really enjoyed their work, say so. You may brighten their day, telling them that their work is helpful or useful. In many cases, they may take interest in your work and you can bounce ideas off them. Equally possible is that you hit it off, find out you’re going to the same conference and can arrange to meet. It also gives both you and the person you’re contacting a name for potential conference panels too and you never know what opportunities could develop. Think of networking as the process of opening doors for opportunities. They may happen. They may not. But you’re giving yourself a better chance of them happening by taking some initiative instead of hoping someone happens to find you.
- Attending Conferences or Departmental Talks
Depending on proximity, even if you do not have a paper to present at a conference, you can still attend it and get an opportunity to meet scholars. This is not necessarily the most feasible plan as many departments do not provide funding to offset costs for attendance and only support those who actively present papers, if at all.
Departmental talks are much more feasible and many scholars are happy to discuss their research, especially with passionate scholars. Many of the best connections I have made were from attending a departmental talk, realizing an overlap with my research, and approaching the speaker and starting a conversation.
I should note you’ll see the following advice frequently in this post: Approach the speaker and start a conversation. In fact, in many cases, taking the initiative to introduce yourself is the most important step. Anxiety tends to be the biggest reason many graduate students don’t take this step. They’re concerned they’ll look foolish, be shot down, get humiliated, or have a wide array of results play out in their head. Most likely, the worst case scenario will be that they say no and move on. Yes, there are jerks in every field of academia, but from my experience, many scholars are very approachable and interested in meeting scholars who share their research interests.
- Presenting at Graduate Conferences
Graduate conferences can be an important tool for graduate students. In my opinion, there are two main reasons why:
- They offer a generally low-risk platform to present work. Unless you work in a hyper-popular field, chances are that very few people in the room will challenge you on your conclusions unless they’re really out there or obviously wrong.
- You meet other graduate students and can make connections. They may not be in your area, but they may have a colleague who is. You may make a long-time friend. Plus, many of them are going to be just as nervous as you for meeting people. Eventually, you find yourself at a pub or a coffee shop discussing random things from your graduate experiences with other students.
I suggest every graduate student attend at least one graduate conference. It’s an opportunity to just get used to delivering a paper. If possible, students should do this at the Master’s level; present a paper they’re proud of from one of their courses or their fourth year. There are also undergraduate conferences in some areas. Rip off the bandage and get used to presenting. Think of this process as skills development. You’re public speaking and that’s a skill that can be helpful when looking for employment, inside and outside of academia. Plus, each presentation can be a line on a CV which can clearly show you can deliver a presentation.
At the same time, realize the shortcomings of graduate conferences. You are unlikely to get good feedback, outside of general comments. You’re unlikely to find someone directly in your research area. At some point, you will realize that graduate conferences have a ceiling of value for your research and growth as an academic. But again, if you find someone who may be worthwhile talking to, go up to them, introduce yourself and start a conversation. You’ll also meet a number of people who are all going through the same process you are.
- Presenting at Major Academic Conferences
I love conferences. Major academic conferences in your specialization (e.g. ASEEES for Slavic Studies) can be incredibly important. It is an opportunity to present your research and get some good feedback (at least from the discussant of your panel, if not the audience). Plus, nothing is better than seeing a major name in your field sitting in the audience listening to you speak. Even if they’re not there for you, ignore that possibility and believe they are there for you and you can feel good about it!
There are two great ways to make connections and network at major conferences. The first is creating your own panel. Develop an idea for a panel that could link a number of scholars together. Discuss this with your supervisor if you’d like to get some ideas of who to contact. Aim big. The worst people can say is no. When I formed my first panel, I asked a significant name in my field to be a discussant on my panel. He said yes. I was over the moon. Again, take the approach that the worst they can say is no and send them an email. They may ignore it. They may respond. But the benefit of them saying yes over no is always worth it!
As you invite people, ask them if they know others who may be a good fit. Many will suggest colleagues in related areas and people they know. In the process, you’re building a small network of people. If you’re successful in forming the panel, and the panel is accepted, you already have made a positive impression and from there, you’ll have a good opportunity to speak with them before and after the panel. I also always like to invite any panel I’m on out for drinks or a coffee to continue the discussion. Even if a few people turn you down, you’ll get the chance to talk with your panelists. You’re building your network.
The other option is, shocking I know, to get up and introduce yourself to a scholar and start a conversation. Every conference I go to, I look at the schedule and see who is attending. I then make a plan to meet two people. At the very least, you say hi, maybe swap business cards. Yes, they could be rude, they could say no, they could just ignore you, but again, the positive potential outcome is always better than the negative ones and as before, many scholars are happy to speak to scholars interested in their work. You may end up going to a couple of other sessions with them. They may invite you to join them for dinner/drinks/coffee to discuss your work or even to meet some other colleagues. You may meet up in the hotel bar and they’ll wave some colleagues over and you’ll end up talking to a number of scholars.
At the same time, realize that others are doing the same as you are. You may introduce yourself and find them distracted, engaging in “conference eyes,” when scholars are scanning the room looking for someone in particular, while engaging in other conversations, but ready to leave when they find that person. Yes, it’s unfortunate. If this happens, be polite. It’s rarely anything personal. If you have a business card, pass it along; if not, offer to contact them by email.
Go Up and Say Hi!
Much of the information in this is self-explanatory (and repetitive!), but I hope that reading it over and over is helpful. Go up and say hi. Start a conversation. That’s often the first step to networking. Yes, it can be scary. Anxiety can run wild, especially if it’s someone you deeply respect in the field or a senior scholar. Ultimately though, based on my experience, I’ve found most scholars are not looking to destroy the spirit of a young scholar who stammers when they say hi. Many are happy to share advice, give suggestions for sources, or introduce you to other colleagues. If you go with a cohort from your school or some friends, hype each other up and help each other’s confidence. By saying hi, you may open up an opportunity, such as future publications, like a book chapter, or a contact for a potential postdoctoral supervisor. Furthermore, some may have contacts outside of academia and can get you in touch.
Take a deep breath. Take a leap. It will be worth it.
Oleksa Drachewych 