Recruitment season is upon us once again. The CIE team is gearing up to travel to conferences and meet with qualified, diverse, prospective scholars for graduate and postdoctoral opportunities at Stony Brook. This time of year also brings to mind our current scholars who are planning to travel to a conference to present a poster or perhaps learn more about an organization. If this is you, here are three tips, based upon what we look for in potential candidates who stop by our table, for maximizing the effectiveness of your time in the conference exhibit hall.

1. Come prepared: If you are approaching the table, you should be able to quickly and concisely explain to the representative(s) who you are, what research you are conducting and what types of information you are looking for (e.g. summer internships, graduate admissions, fellowships, postdoctoral/faculty positions). Recruitment representatives love when attendees have a copy of their CV to reference later. Make sure it has up-to-date contact information so that representatives are able to reach you for follow-up.
2. Ask questions: We want to spend time with attendees who are truly interested in Stony Brook and the resources available to them through the Center for Inclusive Education. Attendees who ask questions and engage in mutual conversation stand out amongst the crowd. We suggest you research and pre-select questions to get you started. Do your homework about the institution you are approaching in advance of the conference. Know how your interests fit with their opportunities, and make this match known. Ask targeted questions about the institution that will help you understand your potential fit – “what is the culture like in the institution/lab/team?”; “why did you choose this institution/lab/team?”; and “what types of funding opportunities exist to support research?”. You also want to know “what is the average departmental time to degree for PhDs?”, and “what is the timeline of completion (including coursework, comprehensive exams and dissertation milestones)?”. As the conversation unfolds, more questions may come to mind, but hopefully you will be more comfortable to engage from this starting point.
3. You are always networking: It’s possible that you may not have the specific qualifications a representative(s) is recruiting for at the time of the conference or meeting. However, you never know if a different opportunity will arise in which they will find you to be an ideal candidate. Whenever you are speaking with a representative, even if it is away from the recruitment table, you are networking. Be sure to smile, offer a firm handshake and engage in conversation. Follow-up with every person from whom you receive a business card or email address. The connections you make may seemingly have no immediate outcomes, but the network you build will have a ripple effect into your career.

AGEP-T FRAME and Turner Fellows have the opportunity to apply for conference travel support through these programs. Contact Karian Wright (AGEP-T FRAME) or Toni Sperzel (Turner) for details.  We recognize the impact these opportunities have on your professional development and career trajectory and would love to support your participation to make connections and build your professional network.

The CIE is particularly excited about two events we will be hosting, right here on the Stony Brook campus:

GEM Grad Lab – Saturday, October 24 – 9:00 am to 3:30 pm – LDS Center **tomorrow**

Graduate School Preview Day – Friday, November 20 – 8:00 am to 5:00 pm – Wang Center

If you are interested in experiencing what it’s like to serve as a recruitment representative, we  would love for you to join us at one of these events to represent the CIE and your graduate program – Please contact me (Kathryne Piazzola) for more information.