AAAS for NIH Trainees &
Surviving Conferences
Brianna Blaser
June 25, 2009
AAAS for NIH Trainees & Surviving Conferences
Two parts
 AAAS, Science, and Science Careers
 Surviving Conferences
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AAAS for NIH Trainees & Surviving Conferences
AAAS for NIH Trainees
 AAAS
 Science
 Science Careers
 Membership
 Other AAAS Resources
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AAAS for NIH Trainees & Surviving Conferences
AAAS
 International nonprofit organization dedicated to
advancing science, engineering, and innovation
throughout the world
 Goals include:
 Encourage governmental support for science
 Strengthen and diversify the scientific workforce
 Improve science education
 Help the public understand and appreciate
science
 Build a global community of scientists
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AAAS for NIH Trainees & Surviving Conferences
Science
 Founded in 1880
 Among the world's most cited research
 More than just research
 Worldwide readership
 Sister journals
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AAAS for NIH Trainees & Surviving Conferences
Science Careers
 Job Boards
 Articles
 Forum
 Booklets
 Outreach
 Webinars
 Social Networking
 GrantsNet
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AAAS for NIH Trainees & Surviving Conferences
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AAAS for NIH Trainees & Surviving Conferences
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AAAS for NIH Trainees & Surviving Conferences
T
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AAAS for NIH Trainees & Surviving Conferences
Membership
 125,000 members globally
 Membership comes with benefits!
 …and supports the work of AAAS
 Discounted rate for students and postdocs
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AAAS for NIH Trainees & Surviving Conferences
Other AAAS Programs
 Science and Technology Policy Fellowships
 Mass Media Fellowships
 EntryPoint!
 Communicating Science
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AAAS for NIH Trainees & Surviving Conferences
 Dan Poux, Science and Technology Policy
Fellowships
 Jose Fernandez, GrantsNet and social networking
 Questions?
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AAAS for NIH Trainees & Surviving Conferences
Surviving Conferences
 Why go to conferences?
 Preparing for conferences
 Scientific sessions
 Poster sessions
 Networking
 Exhibit halls
 Following up
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AAAS for NIH Trainees & Surviving Conferences
Why go to conferences?
 Learn
 Gain experience
 Get feedback
 Develop your network
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AAAS for NIH Trainees & Surviving Conferences
Before a Conference
 Which ones to go to?
 Submit materials and make arrangements
 Plan your schedule
 Prepare to network
 Pack appropriately
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AAAS for NIH Trainees & Surviving Conferences
Scientific Sessions … in the audience
 Ask questions
 Think about networking
 Don’t be disruptive!
 Take notes
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AAAS for NIH Trainees & Surviving Conferences
Scientific Sessions … presenting
 Prepare!
 Know your audience
 Tell a story
 Watch the time
 Take notes
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AAAS for NIH Trainees & Surviving Conferences
Poster sessions
 A networking opportunity!
 If you’re presenting:
 Prepare
 A legible poster
 Brief presentation
 Bring business cards
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AAAS for NIH Trainees & Surviving Conferences
Networking
 Plenty of opportunities
 Start conversations
 Bring business cards
 Practice your elevator pitch
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AAAS for NIH Trainees & Surviving Conferences
Exhibits
 Talk to companies
 Talk to funding agencies – you may be able to get
advice or meet program officers who might be there
 Discounts
 Network
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AAAS for NIH Trainees & Surviving Conferences
Afterwards
 Follow up with people you met
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AAAS for NIH Trainees & Surviving Conferences
Questions?
 These slides will be available at:
sciencecareers.org/outreach
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