Going to a conference can be overwhelming — but it’s also an incredible opportunity. Here are tips I wish I had when I started:
Bring layers (conference rooms are cold!), business casual outfits, and comfortable shoes. Don’t forget chargers, a power bank, and cough drops.
Pick 2–3 talks per session you’re excited about. Don’t feel pressure to attend everything — quality beats quantity.
Have a 1-minute version of your research ready: who you are, what you study, and why it matters.
Everyone’s been new. Say: “Hi, I’m Minjee — I really liked your talk on X.” That’s all it takes to start a conversation.
Send short, sincere emails or DMs after a good conversation. Mention something you appreciated or learned.
You don’t have to be “on” 100% of the time. Take walks. Sit in the back. You’ll be more energized for the parts that matter.