I’m terrible at networking at conferences. Walking into a busy conference brings me back to the first week of law school, where everyone seemed to already know each other and I’m trying to insert myself into existing conversations. So, since this is AASE Annual Conference week, I wanted to share some tips that I’ve used over the past few years to ease my networking anxiety.
First and foremost, I like to remind myself that academic support and bar support professionals are some of the most welcoming, collaborative people in legal education. This field thrives on shared ideas, generosity, and relationship-building. This means that every conference is an opportunity to find new friends and build partnerships.
Second, I had to redefine “networking” for myself. Networking in the academic support community doesn’t mean collecting business cards, impressing more senior professionals, and having perfectly polished conversations. Instead, it’s about finding people who care about the same work you care about. By keeping this in mind, I’m able to approach new conversations with curiosity instead of pressure, leading to more genuine professional connections.
Third, embrace your newness! Being new means that you are bringing fresh perspective, thoughtful questions, and openness to learning. Experienced professionals are generally eager to help newer colleagues navigate the profession, and these connections can help develop career-long relationships.
So, how do you make these connections? Ask questions! You can start a conversation with:
- “What sessions have you loved so far?”
- “How does your school structure bar support?”
- “What’s been your most successful initiative at your institution?”
- “How are students responding to AI at your institution?”
- “What’s one thing you changed this year that really worked?”
- “What’s one thing you wish you knew in your first year?”
Fourth, make sure to not only stay with people you already know. This goes for the more experienced professionals, as well as those new to the community. Conferences are an opportunity to interact with people you may never have met otherwise. Even if you already have a solid network, this is the time to widen it! Sit next to someone you don’t know at lunch, attend a session outside of your usual interests, and go to social events. You never know what a conversation with someone new will develop into.
Ultimately, you belong in the conversation. You don’t need decades of experience, a perfect program, or all the solutions to join in. The field grows stronger with fresh ideas. So, introduce yourself to someone new, connect with them on LinkedIn, and start a new conversation.
And, for those who are at the AASE annual conference, I hope we can connect!
(Dayna Smith)
