7 Quick Networking Tips for Introverts
If you’re an introvert like me, NASPA can be daunting at times. It’s definitely not any easier when it seems like *everyone* is an extrovert and can pick up and hold a conversation in ways that we introverts dream about. But fear not, fellow I’s! We, too, can go out there and meet people, make connections, and truly experience all that a wonderful conference like NASPA’s has to offer! Here’s a few quick “go-to” tips to make networking a little bit easier…
1.) Smile!
Smiling not only makes you more approachable, but it’s also a psychological tool to make yourself feel better. You’ll feel more confident and everyone will be able to see it!
2.) Breathe
Chances are that, at some point, nerves or anxiety will kick in, especially in places that can feel overwhelming in terms of noise and activity. If you feel your heart rate kick up, take a deep breath to collect yourself. Retreat to a quiet area for a few minutes if you need to. Being in highly active spaces can definitely be stressful so be sure to take time for yourself, even if only for 5 minutes at a time, to re-energize.
There’s some great nooks to check out, too! One of my favorite places to take those 5-minute decompression breaks is the top floor of the Marriott. The poster sessions, which are right next to some wonderful plush couches, is a great way to be in a quiet space and pick up some great conversation starters!
3.) Ask Questions
Small talk can often feel uncomfortable and awkward. Asking questions is a great way to engage people in conversation, get to know them, and avoid talking a lot! Some great go-to conversation starters would be to ask about their institution, position, where they are from, sessions that they have been to or are planning on going to, and the great featured speakers!
4.) Make Eye Contact
I definitely have a hard time with this one. It can be a challenge to maintain eye contact- often, an instinct is to avert your eyes when feeling uncomfortable. Make sure to keep reminding yourself to maintain focus on the person/group you are interacting with. While this is definitely different between cultures, the common cultural context here is the United States, and not making eye contact can be interpreted as rudeness.
5.) Hold Something in Your Hand
If you notice you fidget a lot, try holding a cup of water, your conference booklet, or a pad of paper in your hand. This will keep your hands occupied and allow you to stay focused on the conversation. I would recommend avoiding holding an electronic gadget, such as a phone, as it might provide temptation to check for messages or signal impatience/distractedness to whomever you are engaging with.
6.) Be Open About Your Introvertedness*
Although it can feel like it, you are NOT the only introvert at NASPA! If you are feeling uncomfortable, ask a colleague if they can introduce you to some people or tag along to a couple of sessions. This will help you to “warm up” and develop confidence to branch out on your own.
*Special thanks to Iesha Valencia for this great tip!
7.) Utilize Online Networking
I love online networking! Online sources are a great way to get your name/face “out there” in new and innovative ways outside the traditional reception/lobby settings. One of the best pieces of advice that I’ve been given is to make sure to email/follow up with the people you meet and talk to at the conference. E-mail is a quick and effective way to open new lines of communication and, with all of our busy lives, is definitely convenient for all parties involved!
Other great ways to utilize online networking:
-Post to the #NASPA10 hashtag on Twitter! You can meet many other NASPA ’10 attendees and start a conversation that can easily be continued in person.
-Consider writing a comment or posting to this very blog!
-Join an Knowledge Community. There’s dozens of active listservs and newsletters to contribute to.
So, here you are, my fellow introverts! Here’s to a wonderful NASPA conference that we can all actively engage with without stressing ourselves out. I hope to meet you and I’d love to hear YOUR tricks and tools for networking in the comments section!
Reenergized and Excited: David Daniels and Judette Tobes
After attending the NUFP/SALT Luncheon yesterday, we are reenergized and excited for the future of our field! Clearly, NASPA continues to influence recruitment, mentoring and support of undergrads in our profession. After meeting some of today’s NUFP & SALT participants, we know these students will go on to do great work! During the lunch, Gwen Dungy mentioned that faculty members were surprised at the number of applications for Student Affairs programs across the nation (some schools mentioned 4 applicants for every 1 seat!). We are amazed at the progress the field has already made and look forward to see how our new professionals and graduate students of tomorrow will shape the future.
We both feel that without our mentors, we would not be where we are today. The excitement that we felt at our first national conference was daunting and, sometimes overwhelming. But through KC involvement, we were able to find a comfortable place to connect and learn more about our profession. We hope that all first time conference goers take advantage of the welcoming KC environments through out conference. After all, they are the gateway to the profession!!
As we take on the challenge of leading a National Knowledge Community, we are reminded of the importance of producing and disseminating personal and professional development initiatives for our NPGS Community. Both are extremely necessary for us to do, wherever we are on our career path. Taking time to attend to both aspects of our lives ensures we are the best for our students, our families and for our selves.
We hope you have a great conference and if you want to learn more about our vision for the NPGS KC, please read our planning documents at the link below.
Day 4 of NASPA’s The Placement Exchange 2010 and it seems that everyone has reached their stride.
Freshly dressed we get onto buses that we are thankfully provided by The Placement Exchange. Looking out the bus windows we take a short moment to appreciate the sights of Chicago along the route to The Placement Exchange. We get to McCormick place and take a deep breath as we stand on the ascending elevator. We move from the candidate workroom or the resource room to check our mailboxes, walking lively and with enthusiasm to our mailboxes or down to the interview floor, and we are researching, talking, and connecting.
Words of Wisdom from Mom: Kate Hogan
My mother always told me, “It’s not always what you know, but who you know.” Mom’s words of wisdom have stuck with me through many years, and are particularly relevant to my life today. I am fairly certain that during my teenage years, my mom couldn’t have predicted my career within Student Affairs. She did, however, foresee that I would be someone who talked with people, asked about their stories, and learned from their anecdotes and experiences. Even at a young age, I was someone who was self-assured and didn’t mind approaching others and introducing myself.
As the NASPA 2010 Annual Conference draws nearer (we’re less than a week away!), I am remembering the teachings from my mother. Sometimes it’s about whom you know. The NASPA conference is a great time to build your professional network. Even the people you meet in an elevator, or standing waiting for a cup of coffee, can someday impact your professional life. Making the most out of your time in Chicago is not only about attending sessions and job searching at The Placement Exchange, but includes intentional networking.
Getting What You Wish For
Like most candidates I wanted to have a good number of interviews so that by the end of TPE I would have several institutions to choose from in terms of job prospects. I’d assumed that by contacting institutions in advance, when I got to TPE I”d rarely need to worry about checking my mailbox because everything would be pre-scheduled and it would be a simple matter of hanging out in the waiting areas and being whisked away to fabulous interviews. I’d done my research in advance and there would be no deviating from the plan.
Well with so many great positions here however, one can’t help but throw a few of those extra resumes into some employers mailboxes in the hopes of filling 1 or 2 of those empty spots on the schedule and when institutions send you something, you naturally decide to schedule because the job is great and that’s what we’re here for right?. Near the end of the 3rd day, filled with a weird combination of fatigue and excitement, I can’t help but think how funny it was believing that I could ever hope to plan for this.
Hi readers!
So my TPE experience is almost at an end. I have to say that I have really enjoyed this process. It has allowed me to meet so many great professionals in the field, learn more about myself, and experience some success in my job search.
Day 1: Thursday 3/4. I had a pretty good night’s sleep… woke up and got everything in order. Folders packed, laptop ready to roll, got my pens, paper, and notes. As I load the shuttle bus ( which is awesome!) I do a little last minute prep. During my interviews today I felt a bit shakey. Some of my answers were not up to par. I was hoping to do a bit better. But today I was able to work out some of the kinks from my answers; although that was no where near my intention. But I can regroup, reflect on some of my responses, and start again on Friday! Read more…
I’m sitting here at the NUFP pre-conference hearing from Michael Benitez, Jr., activist, scholar, and PhD student at Iowa State University, and I am angry. I am angry that we are in a world where students don’t feel safe in their residence halls due to their race, gender, sexual identity. I am angry that whenever we talk about social justice, those in the majority feel silenced, the minority feel empowered, and I feel torn between the two because of my identities. I am angry that we don’t create spaces where we can talk about this confusion, step out of our comfort zones, and yes, stumble forward together. So many times when we learn about the history of our field, our campuses, our lives, we so often are scared to act. We don’t know what people we will anger, what politics we won’t know how to navigate around, and we don’t want to look stupid.Well you know what, I’ve decided that it is time to change things. As the manager of the 2010 Annual Conference blog with the theme Live the Legacy, Be the Movement, I’m using my privilege as a staff member at NASPA to encourage us all to start being our own movement.
When I talked to the NUFP Fellows and asked them to introduce themselves, I noticed that they all were sitting with other individuals from their institutions. How many times do we do this during NASPA? How many times do we stay in our comfort zones, stick around with those individuals we know, and not challenge ourselves? Well, let’s take this years NASPA Annual Conference theme to heart and start being the change we want to see.
Benitez asked each of the fellows to ask themselves, “what’s your mission?” My mission is to be that mentor I never had in undergrad. My mission is to question the institution and recognize that I’m not just my identities as “oppressed” as a gay Filipino American, but that I also am a male, and able-bodied, and educated. Benitez say that we need to “not be scared to take a risk and be vulnerable.” So here’s my risk and being vulnerable. What’s your mission? How are you being a movement? How are you being vulnerable? How are you using your privilege to question and get “post-xxxx.”
Bird’s Eye View: Sami Ali
Countdown to Chicago: Emily Roh
- Print out a map of the convention sites, and think about how I will get back and forth for different workshops/meetings. She also suggested I try to make most/all of my plans mainly in one hotel for each day, cutting down on the times I will need to be outside in the chilly Chicago winter.
- Plan all my times to meet up with friends now, because I may not have a chance to see them otherwise!
- Make sure to talk to people around me at workshops, because that’s how I will be able to meet other folks who share my interests
- Make sure to check out a knowledge community in functional areas that I’m interested in
- Since I’m interested in doctoral programs, she also recommended I check out the grad school fair
“You have brains in your head, you have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose.” –Dr. Seuss
Confidence is the name of the game this week! We all have what it takes to land that new job, make a connection with a powerful director, or even to attend a session that is far from our comfort zone! Behind the fun rhymes of Dr. Seuss are some real words of wisdom and empowerment.
Right now, steering myself in the direction of my choice is extremely important. I will be participating in The Placement Exchange 2010, as I prepare to leave The Florida State University and embark on my first professional position within the field of Student Affairs. I will be searching for residence life positions, and know that I have a ton of great competition for opportunities. However, Dr. Seuss reminds me that I have what it takes. I have brains in my head, after all!
NASPA Annual Conference 