SRP Annual Conference 2024 , Eastbourne
Haleema Hann works as a Criticality Safety Consultant for Cerberus Nuclear and is a member of SRP ' s Rising Generations Group .
Attending your first professional conference can be both daunting and exciting . I spoke with a few first time attendees on their experience of attending the 2024 Annual Conference in Eastbourne this May and gathered some insights .
Despite the apparent formality , conferences can be hubs of inspiration and innovation , with lots of interesting minds meeting . They are a reflection of the attendees , who invariably come from a range of backgrounds and career stages . Early career attendees have the opportunity to learn and share with more experienced delegates .
Before : Navigate your company approval and funding processes for conference / travel / accommodation and get the bookings in as soon as you can , taking into account any travel plans and expenses . Make arrangements to pause any work projects for the conference duration , so you can make the most of conference time . Have a look at the schedule ; decide which topics are most useful or interesting and plan ahead to ensure you attend them . Identify any networking events to join ( most conferences have formal and informal receptions and dinners , and the SRP Conference even has a 5k fun run ). Look into opportunities to present your work , through formal presentations or posters . This will probably require permission from your employer .
During : First and most importantly , enjoy it ! Try to explore the venue and know the routes between presentations and events . Conferences often have exhibitions alongside them . Make sure to visit the stands and learn about any new technology . Strike up conversations with other attendees . Poster receptions can provide great opportunities to chat with people . Introduce yourself and your company , and ask what other people are working on and what their company does . Explore ways in which the conference content could relate to your work and any possible future collaborations . Lastly , try to get enough rest ! Conferences can be tiring , as they involve lots of learning and networking in a short amount of time .
After : Reflect on what you ' ve learnt from the presentations and any future professional connections which can be carried forward . Email / connect on LinkedIn with any new contacts – a great way to build your network . Assess any goals you had going in to the conference , and how to build on them from the things you learnt . Share any gained knowledge with your colleagues and present any new insights to your company .
Attending conferences can be a significant step in your career . With planning , active involvement and post-conference follow-up you can make the most of your participation . Most importantly , enjoy the experience and the future possibilities it could bring !
A big thank you to Erin Ferguson ( AWE ), Molly Monger ( Mott Macdonald ) Brad Moresby White ( EDF ), Jo Page ( Royal Free Hospital ) and Aaron Foulsham ( NDT Maincal ) for their help with this article .
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