Comments on: Networking tips for the timid http://drshellie.blogsome.com/2007/05/28/networking-tips-for-the-timid/ life, life in science, miscellaneous thoughts Thu, 28 Aug 2008 11:16:37 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=1.5.1-alpha by: drdrA http://drshellie.blogsome.com/2007/05/28/networking-tips-for-the-timid/#comment-633 Wed, 18 Jun 2008 18:28:49 +0100 http://drshellie.blogsome.com/2007/05/28/networking-tips-for-the-timid/#comment-633 Great post! Most science types that I know are shy and don't make conversation easily. So it is GREAT to give them a plan of attack for making meetings useful in every way. Also- I like that you point out that going up to the speaker after the talk and asking a question is a good idea. I do this very frequently. I'm just not great at asking questions in front of a group- but I almost always go up after a talk and ask the burning question on my mind in that setting that feels more safe to me. Another hint- try to make some new friends- don't go to a meeting and just hang out with the people that you already know- this defeats part of the important purpose of going to meetings! Great post! Most science types that I know are shy and don’t make conversation easily. So it is GREAT to give them a plan of attack for making meetings useful in every way.

Also- I like that you point out that going up to the speaker after the talk and asking a question is a good idea. I do this very frequently. I’m just not great at asking questions in front of a group- but I almost always go up after a talk and ask the burning question on my mind in that setting that feels more safe to me.

Another hint- try to make some new friends- don’t go to a meeting and just hang out with the people that you already know- this defeats part of the important purpose of going to meetings!

]]> by: djlactin http://drshellie.blogsome.com/2007/05/28/networking-tips-for-the-timid/#comment-356 Mon, 25 Jun 2007 09:01:33 +0100 http://drshellie.blogsome.com/2007/05/28/networking-tips-for-the-timid/#comment-356 Post-post-doc speaking: I remember going to an international conference and encountering an author whose papers had contributed substantially to my research. I was hesitant to go talk to him. Instead, I imagined what I would have said to him if I had had the cojones to do so. At the end of my rehearsal, he came up to me and said: "Can I borrow your pen?" (Hammer time!) I managed to get over my confucian subservience and embarked on my rehearsed conversation. To my astonishment, he was very open to my enquiries. This is lesson 1. Lesson 2. As a result of my discussion with him, I asked him to review a manuscript that I had written. He agreed. Unfortunately, he was not kind to it, and even pointed out a spot where I had misattributed him. I did not submit the paper. (Lesson 2.) Lesson 3. Several years later, I was an invited speaker at another symposium. (IMHO, I gave a spectatular talk. Arrogance?) After the talk, a 'young' graduate student, obviously terrified, approached me for some insight into the implications of my work on her thesis project. Here's the punchline: I was NOT offended by this neophyte; I was complimented (Somebody actually knows my name, has read my work, and actually thinks it's useful!!) Lesson 4: Everybody is pleased when others are interested in their work. Know this and us it. Post-post-doc speaking:
I remember going to an international conference and encountering an author whose papers had contributed substantially to my research. I was hesitant to go talk to him. Instead, I imagined what I would have said to him if I had had the cojones to do so. At the end of my rehearsal, he came up to me and said: “Can I borrow your pen?” (Hammer time!) I managed to get over my confucian subservience and embarked on my rehearsed conversation. To my astonishment, he was very open to my enquiries. This is lesson 1.

Lesson 2. As a result of my discussion with him, I asked him to review a manuscript that I had written. He agreed.
Unfortunately, he was not kind to it, and even pointed out a spot where I had misattributed him. I did not submit the paper. (Lesson 2.)

Lesson 3. Several years later, I was an invited speaker at another symposium. (IMHO, I gave a spectatular talk. Arrogance?) After the talk, a ‘young’ graduate student, obviously terrified, approached me for some insight into the implications of my work on her thesis project.
Here’s the punchline:
I was NOT offended by this neophyte; I was complimented (Somebody actually knows my name, has read my work, and actually thinks it’s useful!!)

Lesson 4:
Everybody is pleased when others are interested in their work.

Know this and us it.

]]> by: Drugmonkey http://drshellie.blogsome.com/2007/05/28/networking-tips-for-the-timid/#comment-353 Wed, 13 Jun 2007 00:53:07 +0100 http://drshellie.blogsome.com/2007/05/28/networking-tips-for-the-timid/#comment-353 Don't overlook the "kids' table"! Meaning the "trainee mixers" and the like but also the more natural mixing at poster sessions, in the coffee line, etc. The "kids" can be trainees in the labs of said famous PIs that you want to meet. Meet a new colleague, chat up over a scone, BigWig stops by for a minute...bingo, network accomplished. also, the "kids" are going to be your peers in independent science-dom someday, you need to cultivate them too. take the long view. Don’t overlook the “kids’ table”! Meaning the “trainee mixers” and the like but also the more natural mixing at poster sessions, in the coffee line, etc. The “kids” can be trainees in the labs of said famous PIs that you want to meet. Meet a new colleague, chat up over a scone, BigWig stops by for a minute…bingo, network accomplished. also, the “kids” are going to be your peers in independent science-dom someday, you need to cultivate them too. take the long view.

]]>