Career Coach: The Case for Conferences

I love to attend conferences! I always come away with new knowledge and relationships that make the experience both fulfilling and profitable—not to mention a good time. Here are a few reasons why you should make it a priority to go to at least one conference a year.

Discover your “tribe.” When I was in my 20s and beginning my career, I was interested in organization change and development. I got my company to fund my registration for a national conference, and it was life-changing. I found a group of people who could inspire me—who were doing the work I yearned to do with knowledge and energy that surpassed my own. That "tribe" became the core of my network, and many of these people are still in my life today.

Validate the possibilities. Hearing from speakers who have experimented at their own companies has helped me take more calculated risks and given me confidence in my own ideas. Getting my masters degree has made a powerful difference in my career, but I needed to learn from peers and professionals, not just professors. Opportunities for encouraging and inspiring dialogue is rampant at these events.

Expose yourself to inspiration. When I attend conferences, I often discover new leaders, authors, and innovators in my field. Interacting with and observing these people expands my thinking and worldview. When I heard Malcolm Knowles speak on adult learning, his wisdom gave me principles and practices that have since brought me much success.

Nourish your creativity. Risky projects can push you to the edge of your ability. The “right” people to point the way, validate a hunch, or help you move forward have a tendency to show up at these conferences—just like magic!

Challenge (and raise) your standards. I attended one conference that featured several speakers from the military. I had previously been somewhat biased against the military's potential for innovation, but boy, was I in for a surprise! My first exposure to their ethos of learning and experimentation blew me away. My standards were indelibly raised that week, as were my expectations of every organization since.

Make new friends. What better way to expand a developmental network than by meeting colleagues who can become mentors, sponsors, and friends? Conferences are a wonderful way to meet others who share your excitement for learning. I always come home with a stack of business cards, and some of these people have gone on to become lifelong friends.

See your role models in action. If you've ever heard of Jean Houston (or seen her on YouTube), you know that she is a powerful speaker and thought leader—and she's even better live! I've also heard Goldie Hawn, Jamie Lee Curtis, and countless other “rock stars” give inspiring accounts of their lives and philosophies. Many of these people offer the chance to meet with them after their talks. It turns out that meeting your heroes can be much more exciting than reading their books.

Attending a conference can be a terrific help to your next project, not to mention your heart and soul. If you feel nervous, consider bringing a colleague along to compare notes and share the learning experience, and if you have financial concerns, see if your company might offer you support to attend. What are you waiting for? Find the right conference, register for it, and watch your opportunities expand.

—Andrea Zintz, Career Coach