Thoroughly review the conference schedule, including keynote speakers, panel discussions, and other activities. Try to identify sessions that align with your interests and goals.

Check conference resources by looking for any readings that conference organizers provide. These tools can help you deeply understand the conference material and prepare for available sessions or workshops.

You should be able to define what you hope to achieve from attending. Set specific objectives for the conference and ask yourself why I am attending.

Try to set networking and development goals, such as learning about a specific field and connecting with speakers or panelists who might help guide your experience.

Conduct online research on attendees and speakers you would like to meet using tools like LinkedIn to familiarize yourself and be able to discuss areas of shared interest with them.

Be sure to update your resume before the conference as companies and universities will be in attendance looking for potential interns and employees.

You can use an interactive tool like VMock to update your resume and get continuous feedback to refine and develop it.

Bring a few hard copies of your resume and business cards in case you meet with a professional who may be able to offer you the opportunity you seek.

Create a concise but compelling elevator pitch that introduces you, your interests, and your career goals. This is a great way to introduce yourself to new contacts and potential employers.

Be ready to modify your pitch depending on the situation and the audience.

For a successful experience, careful planning is essential. Allow enough time to plan your trip—individually or with a group—and look up any potential conflicts with your classes.

Remember you are a student first and build in time to study at the conference if you have deadlines and priority projects for school.

Prioritize your education while taking advantage of this great professional development opportunity.

Bring essential items like notepads, pens, and a portable charger. Carry a light bag to hold any materials you might receive. 

Dress comfortably yet professionally, and wear appropriate footwear for lots of walking.

Remember to bring a light sweater or scarf to the convention center, as the large open spaces can often get chilly.

Familiarize yourself with the community of students and professionals you will encounter through conference online platforms.

Introduce yourself to new people and even suggest attending sessions together. This could be the first step in establishing your own network.

OSU provides many resources and tools that can help you prepare and sharpen your conference materials such as guides to writing a resume for a variety of majors and degrees.

Seek support from the Writing Center in developing professional materials to highlight your strengths through resumes and elevator pitches.

Visit the Career Development Center to have your resume professionally reviewed and formatted as well as improve your communication skills before attending the conference.

Attend keynote speeches, relevant sessions, and exhibit booths that you think will help toward your goals. 

Participate in different workshops and presentations related to your field of interest to discover new jobs and opportunities.

Do not be afraid to socialize with people outside of your area of interest. Maybe they can put you in touch with people in their network.

Show genuine interest in what others say and follow up with thoughtful questions to demonstrate engagement.

Be sure to thoroughly document your conversations and connections at the conference, as these notes will help you lay the groundwork for meaningful follow-up emails by referencing back to specific topics or projects you discussed.

You can use our "How to Take Research Notes" guide, which offers tips for an efficient note-taking process.

Actively engage at the conference resources like career fairs hosted at the conferences to connect with potential employers and learn about job or internship opportunities.

Proactively introduce yourself to representatives from organizations that align with your interests by inquiring about potential projects and sharing your enthusiasm for their mission.

Approach speakers and exhibitors to discuss, exchange contact information, and even share your resume if possible. Let them know who you are and what are your interests.

Take advantage of Q&A sessions by asking thoughtful questions and networking with professionals who might guide you with your goals.

Be flexible with your schedule to accommodate serendipitous meetings, conversations, and last-minute adjustments not on your scheduled activities.

Rather than dining with your acquaintances, disperse among different tables and introduce yourself to other attendees.

Inquire politely about others' work and try to find common ground while learning from new perspectives.

Share a bit about yourself and your experiences but avoid dominating the conversation.

Familiarize yourself with formal dining etiquette to navigate professional lunches at conferences with confidence and make a strong impression. 

Do not forget to thank hosts and new contacts for their time.

Review and summarize your notes and identify key takeaways.

Reflect on your conference experience by writing down what you have learned from the people you met and the sessions you attended and see how they met your goals.

Reach out to the contacts you made during the conference through personalized emails or other platforms, like LinkedIn or the conference app, within 24-72 hours.

Express your gratitude for their time and reiterate your interest in the potential opportunities they offered you.

Our email etiquette resource includes tips for writing effective follow-up emails to make the right impression with your new contacts. 

Add any new skills or knowledge you gained from this experience.

If you took part in the conference as a speaker or presenter, be sure to list this on your resume, especially if you won an award. Highlighting these accomplishments increases your future opportunities.

Share your conference experience with colleagues and team members through conversations and social media.

Create posts or blogs highlighting the most valuable takeaways and how they relate to your field of interest.

Post the photos you took at the conference on social media and LinkedIn. Sharing such moments will help you remember the positive interactions and reconnect with new contacts from the event.