working the network

June 20, 2007 5:13 AM

Help me mingle at a conference full of people from graduate school programs I want to attend.

I'm going to a meeting this week, and I'd like to find out more about potential grad school programs while I'm there. Specifically, I'd like to learn a little about the culture of the labs, and possibly put a name to a face in terms of school admissions (I probably won't be applying any where for 2 years though).

I'm not great at mingling, but I can make small talk with some effort, and having small-talk-goals might help me with nervousness.

posted by fermezporte to Human Relations (5 answers total)

there have been lots of small-talk threads, but the gist seems to be: smile, ask people questions about themselves, and follow up on things they seem really interested in or proud of--if you know something about it, share your enthusiasm, if you don't know anything about it, ask them to explain it.
posted by thinkingwoman at 5:35 AM on June 20, 2007

It seems like you already have a lot to talk about with folks, even without it seeming like you're pumping them for information. Breathe, talk more slowly than you usually do, and remember there's no stigma to actaully reflecting for a moment on what someone's said (especially in an academic setting!). I find that having a few graceful conversation exits makes a big difference--the ends of conversations are where it can get awkward. Other than that, have something in your hands so you don't fidget, but don't drink too much.
posted by cocoagirl at 5:50 AM on June 20, 2007

Will there be a poster session? Those are the best in my opinon for mingling and finding out what different groups are doing. I'm rubbish at general mingling but working a poster session is a different game. Just stand back, read the poster, think of a question on the work, and take it from there. Sometimes the poster author is keen to get chatting and tries to talk through the poster, and this can be good if you pick things up quickly. If, like me, you don't always take things in on first hearing there is nothing wrong with asking to finish reading before discussing the work.

Have a book to note down email addresses and contact names in, and ask if it's OK to contact them for a paper copy (if it's not already in the proceedings). After a while, ask if they're PhD or postdoc, and how many people are in the research group, whether they have interdisciplinary links, what other areas their department is strong at, and that sort of thing. Do mention you're thinking of grad school. Most of us are happy to chat about the social side of lab work as well as the technical. If the conference is away from home and you're feeling confident, it's also fine to ask if they've found any decent bars yet.
posted by handee at 5:55 AM on June 20, 2007

Poster sessions are the best for meeting people. Then you can more easily approach them later as well, meet the people they are chatting with, etc. Remember that it's okay to take a break for a couple of minutes even during social time—don't let yourself get frazzled.
posted by grouse at 8:14 AM on June 20, 2007

Common sense: Don't drink too much alcohol or coffee if you're going to be talking with people you want to impress. Wear clothes that are reasonably professional (not shorts and t shirt, not a ball gown) but that you're comfortable in -- especially comfortable shoes.

People will be glad to talk about their work and their labs. Be tactful in asking questions about the lab, don't press them to reveal dirty laundry/gossip in a public place.
posted by LobsterMitten at 11:11 AM on June 20, 2007