If the conference has a poster session, that's a nice opportunity
because there is already an easy subject to start chatting about. If
there is a vendor hall, chatting with the vendors is both a way to come
out of your shell and the source of interesting things to talk about
with others ("Did you see the new gadget that so-and-so is selling?")
Looking like you are having a good time might need to be a little forced
in the beginning if you are shy, but it helps make you look
approachable. If folks have badges and identify themselves as students,
those folks are often great to chat with because they are figuring out
the whole networking thing, too, and will think YOU might be someone
they should chat with. Their professors are often interesting people in
the field. Not knowing your specialty, I might also suggest that you
think about who you might really HOPE to meet (maybe someone you know is
a speaker, or a museum staff person you think might attend) and do a
little homework on Google to know what they look like and what project
they might be working on...that helps in terms of actually getting to
have a satisfying conversation with that person, but also makes for
interesting conversation with colleagues. "Have you seen so-and-so? I'm
really excited about the work they are doing...."
Good luck!
Ellen Carrlee
Conservator
Alaska State Museum
395 Whittier Street
Juneau, AK 99801
(907) 465-2396
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of Janzen, Mark
Sent: Tuesday, September 15, 2009 12:02 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] networking
Hi Bill,
Conferences can be awesome sources of networking, but you have to work
them. The sessions are interesting and informative, but you have to make
sure to go to the other events. Evening events, professional
get-togethers, and after hours events. It may cost a little, but it is
worth it.
If the conference has a mentor/mentoree program, sign up for that. And
if there are any opportunities to volunteer for things, do so. Make sure
to join and try to involve yourself in the professional organization of
your choice, COMPT, NAME, RC, PACIN, etc. Getting involved with the
conference and your professional organization gets your foot in the
door.
After that, just be yourself and chat with people. Meet directors,
registrars, curators, etc. Do not make an attempt to focus your meeting
of people only in your career direction. Talk to people at the dinners,
on the busses, and in the sessions(before and after only please). Also
make sure to talk to the vendors in the resource hall(if applicable).
Many of them are also museum professionals, and great contacts.
Bring plenty of business cards, and have a great time.
Good luck.
Mark Janzen
Registrar/Collection Manager
Ulrich Museum of Art
Martin H. Bush Outdoor Sculpture Collection
316-978-5850
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of William Freil
Sent: Tuesday, September 15, 2009 2:15 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: networking
Hi,
My name is Bill, and I am going to a museum conference early next week.
This is a good opporuntity for me to do some networking, but I am unsure
of how to do that. Does anyone have any tips?
Thanks.
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