By John Agosta, Ph.D.
Attending the annual SIOP conference is a must at least once for anyone practicing in the field of IO psychology. It is sort of a rite of passage. There is so much to see, talk about, and listen to during the four-day event. It can honestly be overwhelming and you may not know where to begin, but PTCMW has your back! Here are five practical ways to ensure you can take full advantage of the conference in the most effective manner.
1. Say "Hi!"
The main value of SIOP conferences would be networking with others in the field. Even for seasoned SIOPers, it can be scary and uncomfortable to spark up a conversation or try to join in on a group one. Remember that networking is a skill like any other and you need to work at it. You have to step out of your comfort zone and initiate with others. Start with giving your name and where you're traveling in from, then you can state if you're a current student, a recent grad, or a veteran worker. Ask questions to show engagement and take the burden off of yourself if you would rather listen.
2. Be a Tourist
For first timers - go to the opening and closing plenaries. Basically be a tourist when it's your first SIOP so you get that experience and can learn about the state of the field and what SIOP's plans are. Check out the poster sessions, hit up each coffee break to refuel throughout the day, and try to attend one of the evening social events organized by SIOP itself to meet people in a more relaxed setting. Don't forget to ensure you carve out time to explore the host city. You may never go there again so make sure you do some exploring and get a feel for the local culture.
3. Have a Plan
Go prepared with a schedule for each day. Fill each day with a session during each timeslot as your guide (knowing it may change). FYI - some sessions are very popular and the rooms are filled over capacity, so having a back-up session on your planner can be wise. Check if your own program is hosting their own alumni gathering or make some new friends and try and crash their school/organization party!
4. Learn More
It's great to attend sessions on topics that you're very interested in but it's also wise to attend topics that you are not familiar with so you can verse yourself in the field, as well as potentially fall in love with one that you may want to pursue! Keep an open mind and just be ready to learn.
5. Be Flexible
Give yourself some leeway. You will likely learn that SIOP can be draining. Especially if you are more of an introvert like me. If you want to skip a session or event to recharge yourself or maybe sleep a bit longer, that's OK. If you miss a session due to meeting someone at a coffee break or seeing an old colleague, that's OK too. On the flipside, it can also be useful to power through feeling tired and take that invite you were given by a new friend - you never know where it can lead to (e.g., learning of an upcoming role opening)! You can rest when you get back home!
In conclusion, networking with people is going to be key so don't be shy, just introduce yourself and come up with a one-liner that explains yourself to people. Have a plan for yourself for each day of the conference. Know that your plans may change in the spur-of the-moment and be flexible because you never know who you might meet or what opportunity may arise. Check out the host city at least one night to not let the trip there go to waste. Remember to have fun!
Here are some upcoming events to further help you prepare:
PTCMW is hosting a Networking Workshop event next month. This is a prime opportunity to work on those networking and conversation skills in a no-pressure environment before heading over to SIOP. Make a friend to buddy-up with during the conference! Register for that event here.
"Preconference Networking Calls" is a new SIOP initiative this year. They are hosting these on Zoom so you can meet people virtually before you go. There will be a couple of these calls prior to the conference and the full info & registration can be found here.
