aloisia schmid (a-schmi at uiuc.edu) wrote:
:: Someone from the New Scientist asked whether meetings were as good for
: women's careers as they appear to be for men's careers. If not, why not?
Reminds me of advice that a male colleague gave me about meetings.
He said to hang out in the bar because that's where he meets the
most people. Yeah right. Somehow I think that if a woman hung out
in the bar, she would be inundated with offers, but probably not
the type that would further her career.
On the other hand -- I do think that we hurt ourselves by not talking
about our work at conferences. I tend to feel insecure too so I'm always
afraid to reveal I don't know anything. Thus I steer the conversation away
from my work. But that is really my problem and I need to get over it.
Despite being overwhelmed at conferences, I do get energized and I'd
like to learn to get over my shyness and approach people to share
ideas without feeling so nervous about it. I think giving a paper
helps because then people come to you (if the paper was successful).
To the conference organizers out there, dinners and sitdown
break rooms are much easier for meeting people, I think.
I hate trying to balance food and drink and also walk
around and talk at informal receptions. I end up leaving hungry and
frustrated.
Liz Johnson
