Navigating the Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting
In this special episode of Stories of WiN, Dr. Nancy Padilla shares essential tips on how to make the most of your Society for Neuroscience (SfN) annual meeting experience. Drawing from her own decade-long experience attending the conference at various career stages, Nancy offers practical advice for both first-time and returning attendees.
Key Highlights:
Setting Goals: Define a clear objective for your conference experience—whether it's networking for a postdoc position, gathering feedback on your research, or exploring new collaborations. Your goal will guide your schedule and priorities throughout the event.
Planning Your Schedule: Use the SfN meeting planner or app to curate your daily itinerary, balancing key talks, poster sessions, and networking events. Remember to include breaks to rest and reflect.
Networking Tips: Limit yourself to one social event per day and set up meetings with key individuals well in advance. For those on the job market, be prepared with a short slide deck and focus on connecting with potential employers or collaborators.
Packing Essentials: Bring comfortable shoes, a refillable water bottle, and a small bag for essentials. Dress business casual—comfort is key.
At the Conference: Utilize the meeting app for navigation and scheduling, practice your poster pitch, and stay hydrated. Networking events are professional spaces, so maintain a friendly yet professional demeanor.
Advice for Undergraduates: Focus on attending special and presidential lectures, and take advantage of the grad school fair for networking and potential application fee waivers.
Whether you're a first-time attendee or a seasoned veteran, this episode is packed with actionable advice to help you make the most of the SfN annual meeting. Listen to Dr. Nancy Padilla’s full episode below!
