Conference Results

If you ever need to stay in Niagara Falls on the cheap, I highly recommend the Backpackers International Hostel (http://www.backpackers.ca/listings.php?companyid=116). Clean, in a quiet neighborhood, and very convenient to things for the price. Single and traditional rooms (ensuite bathroom!).

I came home with a whole bunch of brochures and information packages, great swag (pens, bags, etc) from the vendors, and most importantly... business cards! My task now over the next few days is to follow up on those cards, and drop a quick e-mail at the very least to the people I met. Maybe we'll stay in touch, maybe we won't. We'll certainly run into each other at future conferences.

If I made and can continue to make a good impression when I run into my new professional contacts, I am hoping they will do for me (as I do for people already in my professional network) the following:

a) let me know of employment opportunities at their centres
b) invite me as a guest or speaker to their facility, or have them to mine, so I can impress
c) act as references for me once they have seen what I can do!

As you can see, networking isn't a one-off activity - it takes a concerted, ongoing effort to develop relationships with people. And that isn't easy! But in the long run, it's a tool for finding rewarding work. I will refer you to one of my favourite websites for more resources on Networking: http://www.quintcareers.com/networking_resources.html.

Myself? Another networking tool I'm going to develop is to get involved in a local professional association. There isn't really one right now for Career Development Professionals, so I'm going to see what I can do about that. The OACDP (http://www.oacdp.on.ca) is expanding and just needs someone to launch a branch in this area. Why not me? We'll see!

Conferences as a networking strategy

Going to conferences is a great way to meet people who can help you with your career development later on! Students usually get a good rate too, and often if you volunteer to help out, you get in for really cheap or free!

For example, I'm going to the Ontario Alliance of Career Development Practitioners annual conference, Opportunities (see http://www.onestep.on.ca/opportunities/) this week. I had to take time off work to do it, but I have worked some overtime to make up the difference. As a student at the moment, I have the opportunity to volunteer as well, so my entrance to the conference is very cheap!

My goals for the conference are as follows:

a) to absorb as much info as possible!
b) to meet lots of colleagues, learn about what they're doing and share what I'm doing;
c) to develop some new relationships, both for information sharing and professional friendships.

I'll post when I return on how it went!