YouAlberta
I’m just finishing up my MA degree and, because it mostly took place during the pandemic, all of the conferences I have attended except for one have been virtual. Here is my advice for making the most of virtual conference experiences:
1. Turn your camera on (if you can)
...at least for a little bit, especially if you are early in your academic career. Conferences are really good for networking and getting to know scholars you might potentially work with, so having your camera on will make sure they recognize you in the future. I recently attended a conference and kept my camera off for most of it due to Zoom fatigue. I saw lots of professors I was applying to work with, and lots of graduate students in programs I was interested in, but when time came to interview for the programs and meet the current students, no one recognized me.
2. Use a website blocker if you tend to get distracted and search things during talks.
I am super guilty of doing this and zoning out during talks, which means I miss the speakers' arguments, can’t formulate questions, and then when people ask me about it later (which has happened) I remember absolutely nothing.
3. If you’re presenting...
Practice delivering your presentation to black screens since you never know whether everyone will keep their cameras off. Having practice delivering your presentation to a blank screen will help make you more comfortable.
4. If you can, try to participate in the networking events.
Networking is a huge and very important part of attending conferences. Even though networking is difficult and awkward during online conferences, it is still important (especially for early career graduate students).
5. Dress professionally even if you plan on keeping your camera off.
I was once asked to introduce myself (and so I had to turn my camera on) and I was wearing a giant fuzzy sweater instead of something professional and I was very embarrassed.
About Laura
Laura is in the third (and hopefully final!) year of her Master's degree studying Classical Languages. She can always be found with her nose in a book. Whether it's academic reading or for pleasure, she will read pretty much anything and she's passionate about languages like Middle Welsh and Ancient Greek. Laura adores animals and fosters the cutest bunny in the world and in her spare time loves to knit socks for her loved ones!