This article was written by The Zillennial Zine’s spring editorial intern Lindsay Daneen. Find her on Instagram at @_lindsay_daneen. If you would like to share an article with The Zillennial, send us an email at thezillennialzine@gmail.com.
Ahhh… conferencing. The art of traveling to a different place, entering a huge convention center and making career-related small talk while hoping to make a genuine professional connection. It’s nerve-racking, isn’t it? Of course, some people live for it and look forward to these annual events. But for some (like myself) it’s overwhelming! Mentally, physically, and emotionally, it can drain you and keep you on edge even though you’re meant to enjoy the networking opportunities undoubtedly coming your way. It’s something that you’ll eventually get good at but how? It doesn’t happen overnight. So here are some conference tips for your 20s. Because how can you become a pro if you don’t start now?
What to Consider
Attending conferences is not for the faint of heart. There’s a lot to consider. One of the main things to think about is the location. You should also assess the cost and decide whether this is the best conference for your individual needs and career goals. This may sound simple but believe me, you should be as intentional as possible. Attending conferences can be one of the most rewarding and eye-opening experiences you’ll ever have. So, you must approach it with as much information as possible.
Cost and Location
The average cost of attending a conference can be anywhere between $500 and $2,500 per person. This is a large amount of money to pay, especially if you’re paying out of pocket. The good thing is many jobs will pay for it if you can justify how it will benefit both of you or develop you professionally. There are many resources to help you sculpt how that conversation should go. After that you need to research any additional registration or membership fees. Oftentimes you need to be a member of an organization to be eligible to attend their conferences.
Now you need to mull over the location of the conference. Most conferences bounce around to different cities and sometimes countries every year. So you must be mindful of the cost of travel and if you’re willing to travel at all. Since conferences can take place anywhere, contemplate this. If you like to mix business with pleasure, maybe you should attend the conference the year it will be in Los Angeles, New Orleans, Miami, or another lively city. However, if you’ve decided you don’t want to have too much fun outside of the conference and just focus on work, maybe you should choose a location that is more laid back. There’s no right or wrong answer. Simply do what works best for you.
Choosing the Right Conference
Choosing the right conference can prove to be difficult. Many conferences are national while others are regional. Consider whether the nationals are more your speed than the regionals. Maybe you’re looking for opportunities across the country. Or you might just be looking for opportunities that are close to home. Also, many careers are broad, like tech, medicine, and communications, and have a multitude of conferences and organizations to choose from. Be sure you’re zeroing in on your goals and the aspect of your career you’d like to learn more about. You don’t want to spend the time and money it takes to attend the conference just to find out it wasn’t exactly what you were looking for, and that another conference would have been a better fit for you. It’s more than okay if that does happen, but try to avoid it if you can.
Here’s a fun fact! Conferences are not just for professionals. They’re also for students! You can even get student discounts! So be mindful of that as well. Maybe one conference will suit you better as you start your career. Who knows? You just might find your dream job before graduation. It’s worth a shot!
Know What You Want
Remember this article is about conference tips for your 20s. Therefore, it’s safe to say that you are in the early years of your career or just about to start it. Conferences are a great way to determine whether you want to stay in your career. It shows you the opportunities available to you. It allows you to decide whether you like them or not. You can speak to other professionals and healthily compare your journeys. If you’re one of those lucky people, dead set on what they want to do for the rest of your life, this is a perfect environment. And for those who are still unsure, a conference is ideal for you too! There’s nothing like delving into something to determine whether it’s truly for you.
On the Clock
Before we discuss the more fun parts let’s not forget the important things. If you’re going to a conference and your job is funding it, you’ll more than likely be on the clock while you’re there. If that’s the case, be sure to keep up with both. The last thing you want to do is make your boss feel like you bamboozled them into a free vacation. Make time to answer your emails and stay on top of your work. You can do it between sessions and utilize the convention center’s free Wi-Fi. Or catch up in your hotel at the beginning and end of your day. Either way, be organized and learn to balance both to the best of your ability. Work balance is key.
The Important Details
Since you’ve decided that you want to attend this specific conference at this particular location, you can look for a place to stay. Make sure that you choose accommodations that work for you. Many conferences have blocked spaces in nearby hotels to make it easier for their attendees to travel back and forth. That’s a great opportunity for you to be around the action on and off the clock. But if that’s not for you maybe you need to choose accommodations a bit further away from the magic. Staying a mile or two away from the conference is probably a better fit if you want to relax and separate your work from pleasure. But I’ll repeat. If you want to be all in, choose one of those hotel blocks. You won’t regret it!
This is for my fashion forward Office Sirens out there. This is the best time to flex your skills. Conferences can host up to thousands of attendees. So this is your time to shine while professionally turning heads with your undeniable style. It’s a networking event after all. So be sure to look your best!
The Prep
The cool thing about living in the 21st century is all the technology. Many conferences have an app or at least a website where you can see all the upcoming sessions, speakers, presenters, and opportunities that will be available. So, have a game plan. Make note of every session you want to attend. If you can’t make them all try to narrow them down. And have backups for your backups as some sessions can be canceled at the last minute. Make sure you plan enough time to eat, hydrate, and converse with others as you will be forming connections and friendships.
Don’t Forget to Have Fun!
Of course, conferences are about work and professional development. But let’s not forget that you’re in a different place (possibly town, state, or country). Take the whole experience in. Enjoy what that place has to offer. See if it’s a place you’d like to spend more time in. The opportunities are endless. Conferences typically take place between the hours of 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM. So make sure that after 5:00 PM you have a chance to debrief and be yourself. It’s not all about work. Think of it as a professional vacation.
What You Should Walk Away With…
Whether this is your first conference, your second conference, or you’ve lost count, you should walk away with something important. Pride! It’s not easy to attend these things. As I mentioned before, they can be very overwhelming, and you can become easily discombobulated and overstimulated. So, you should be proud that you prioritized your professional goals and your future by attending. You should walk away with a better understanding of what is going on in your field and if you’re lucky you’ll leave with connections that will last a lifetime. Finally, you should walk away with a new experience. Assuming the conference was not in your hometown, exploring new places is always good for the soul. At the very least you’ll leave knowing whether conferences are your jam because they are not for everyone.
I want to leave you with this. Conferencing can be a great experience. It’s the best way to spark a new career, rejuvenate a long monotonous one, or continue to build on a thriving career. It can teach you what’s out there and further solidify if you’re in the right place. It can give you a new appreciation for what you do. Meeting people who share your drive and passion on such a large scale provides an unmatched feeling. You almost feel a sense of belonging and motivation. So, in my opinion, it’s the way to go! You deserve to see how far you can go in life. You’ve earned the gift of seeing into your possible professional future. And you’re worthy enough to have friends and mentors in your field. So try it just once, for yourself. It’ll be worth it.
How do you feel about these conference tips for your 20s? Would you add anything?
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