PLSO The Oregon Surveyor November/December 2021

6 The Oregon Surveyor | Vol. 44, No. 6 From the Publications Committee Samantha Tanner, PLS PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE FROM THE FIELD NOTES How do you make a connection with other people? Don’t dismiss small talk. Small talk is important because this is how you become memorable and how you get quick, valuable insights. A s you now all know we are working on a hybrid conference. It’s been a while since we may have seen each other in person and we may be a bit rusty. Plus, we have some tech fea- tures we are keeping from last year, so here are some tips on how to make the most of the PLSO conference. Networking is everything. As much as I hate it, the phrase “It’s not what you know, but who you know” has turned out to be accurate. Often we talk about how sur- veyors aren’t outgoing or social, but that is false. While not everyone is outgoing or extroverted, you are all good socializ- ers. You all have interesting things to say and enjoy an engaging discussion, whether the discussion is surveying or riding bikes. For the most part, everyone at these con- ferences is pretty easy to talk to, but it can still be intimidating to start a conversation and step out of your comfort zone tomeet new people. Here are some networking tips that anyone can put to use no matter if you’re a seasoned conference-goer or not. The Absolute Basics 1. Don’t dismiss people. Treat everyone like they are important. 2. Don’t be rude. Be respectful and not self-centered. 3. Don’t rush. Play the long game. At the Conference 1. Try to have a deep, human connection with one person before you leave. How do you make a connection with other people? Don’t dismiss small talk. Small talk is important because this is how you become memorable and how you get quick, valuable insights. Next time you’re standing around the coffee bar or next to a person in a session before it starts, try any of these out. How to pick someone out of the crowd? Go for the most relaxed or unrushed person. • What company are you with? (Technically this is on the badges, but it isn’t always visible.) • Where are you from? Are you from there originally? How did you get there? • What session (or speaker) are you most excited about or interested in? • What has been your favorite session? • A really good script for students or anyone looking for a job is: “I’m so-and-so doing such-and-such. Is there anyone here you think I would hit it off with or who I should meet?” Repeat over and over. Example: “I’m Samantha. I just moved here from Alaska and I work in airborne lidar. Is there anyone here you think I would hit it off with or who I should meet?” When youfind that person, approach them with a respectful and appreciative tone and attitude. You could simply introduce yourself and say that you’re both mutual friends of so-and-so. Or offer to buy them a drink and talk about airborne lidar. 2. Read session bios, not session descriptions. Look for interesting people . If you’re not sure what session to go sit in on, then look for interesting presenters.