Gordon Conference in Maine
Obviously I can't say anything about what learned there. I wonder if that mentality of 'off the record' ends up extending itself subconsciously to the evening activities. I don't think it's a secret that there is copious amounts of alcohol consumed at these things. Wow. They made plots of our alcohol consumption, just to congratulate us on our performance. It was pretty amazing. I'm not sure that that is an 'amazing' in a good or bad way... but it was awe-striking nonetheless. I don't think that stories, even anonymous stories, are fit for LJ posting. Well - not public LJ posting, anyway. I'll just say that networking can be a lot of fun. As much fun as my friend's trips over the border from San Diego - and I'll just leave it at that ;-)
I met a ton of really awesome people. Huge names in the field, up-and-comers, met a great guy that I really do respect and may be set up to apply for a fellowship with his collaborators. Very cool. I have also met with my collaborators at Catholic U, and they are just wonderful people. I"m very excited to work with them for the remainder of my thesis. According to everyone - my project is right up there with 'cutting edge' stuff and my work will likely be excitedly received. I had one naysayer, but that is it. Many people walked away with business cards!
Meeting the other graduate students from around the country left me with mixed feelings. I definitely feel more comfortable chatting with professors - I don't really know why. I do feel very qualified compared with my cohort and I am not thinking more seriously about an R1 school professorship.
So much fun. I'm really pumped to get back to work, though. I didn't really realize how much literature I need to catch up with and how much work I should do to make this as solid as I need it to be to be competitive.
I met a ton of really awesome people. Huge names in the field, up-and-comers, met a great guy that I really do respect and may be set up to apply for a fellowship with his collaborators. Very cool. I have also met with my collaborators at Catholic U, and they are just wonderful people. I"m very excited to work with them for the remainder of my thesis. According to everyone - my project is right up there with 'cutting edge' stuff and my work will likely be excitedly received. I had one naysayer, but that is it. Many people walked away with business cards!
Meeting the other graduate students from around the country left me with mixed feelings. I definitely feel more comfortable chatting with professors - I don't really know why. I do feel very qualified compared with my cohort and I am not thinking more seriously about an R1 school professorship.
So much fun. I'm really pumped to get back to work, though. I didn't really realize how much literature I need to catch up with and how much work I should do to make this as solid as I need it to be to be competitive.