Have you heard of scientific conferences, but are not sure what they are? Do you think you should be attending, but aren’t sure exactly why? Or are you attending scientific conferences, but not getting as much out of them as you think you should? Whether you are a scientific conference newbie or a seasoned attendee, as we head into the summer conference season, I wanted to get you the inside scoop on what these events are all about and why they’re an important component to becoming a successful wildlife professional.
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Over the years, I’ve attended countless conferences, starting from my very first one in 2005 right before I started graduate school. Until 2020, I’ve been attending at least one per year on average, and some years multiple! I’ve been to the biggest conferences and smaller more intimate ones, but even though I had all of this experience, it wasn’t until pretty recently that I truly understood the deeper significance of these events for career progression, especially how higher level professionals leverage these conferences to maximize opportunities for themselves beyond the obvious conference activities.
In this episode, I dive deep into the world of scientific conferences for wildlife, ecology, zoology, and conservation biology professionals, covering everything from the different types of sessions and presentations to the unspoken reasons why attending these events is so crucial for your career growth. I share my personal experiences, insights, and some behind-the-scenes perspectives that will help you navigate these events like a pro.
Don’t fall into the trap of thinking you’re not ready or not good enough to attend conferences! Attending conferences allows you to network with other scientists and professionals, learn about the latest developments in your field, in addition to sharing and elevating your research if you have any. Remember, it’s important to actively make networking happen rather than just hoping for it and not rely solely on your advisor or boss to introduce you to people.
Specifically, I go over:
- What scientific conferences are and why they exist
- The structure and format of scientific conferences
- The major conferences in the wildlife, ecology, zoology, and conservation fields: What to expect and what they are
- The kinds of events that happen at scientific conferences
- The importance of networking and opportunities for collaboration at these events
- How to make the most out of your conference experience as an early-career scientist
- And MORE!
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