Networking at Conferences

Conferences and workshops give researchers ample opportunities to present their work - and themselves. Communication in professional forums is often decisive for future career options.

This workshop helps participants to meet people with an attitude that is both adequate and self-confident, in informal situations ("socials") as well as in academic discussion settings.

Participants can improve their networking and small talk skills by activating communication tools that made them successful as an academic. Starting with the first steps of initiating small talk, deciding when “bigger” talk can begin, and following up, they then will feel safer and be able to enjoy the occasion as they build up their professional networks.

After the workshop, they will be able to plan professional gatherings in advance and feel more comfortable in the social setting of their academic community. Most importantly, participants will be able to set their own goals and to develop concrete strategies to achieve them.

Desired Results:

• Identify players, roles, or members of your community and set goals
• Derive and develop your individual networking strategies (personal questionnaire)
• Overcome specific hurdles to approach decision makers
• Under the current circumstances, develop online strategies for your professional networking

This workshop focuses on helping to establish contacts with persons and to hold discussions with senior researchers in a professional manner. Networking helps in creating joint projects and fuelling career options.