Published: January 27, 2015 by Jill Klees

Want to get the inside scoop on the variety and diversity of LIS positions available to you? Then join and get involved in a professional association. It is a fantastic way to connect to professionals in the field and keep a pulse on the LIS job market. Take advantage of the free one-year memberships available to iSchool students. Once you join, boost your job searching power by attending a conference.

There are many benefits to attending a professional conference in your field of interest. Even if you gain just one nugget of new information, or feel inspired to do just one new thing, or meet and connect with one new colleague in the field, your conference time will have been well spent. Here are my top 5 reasons for attending a professional conference.

1. Learn new trends in the field – pick-up new information, new ways of doing things, and learn about new technology in a diverse, professional environment.
2. Network with colleagues – connect with old friends and make some new ones, maybe even rub elbows with professionals who inspire you.
3. Get involved and participate – seek out opportunities to shine and don’t forget to include this experience on your resume.
4. Feel motivated, excited, and inspired – refuel and give yourself a boost to get refocused and re-energized.
5. Travel to new places and have fun – people who include fun in their lives tend to be happier, healthier, and less stressed.

Now that I have convinced you to attend a professional conference, many first time attendees feel intimidated about going and aren’t sure what exactly to do once they get their or how to get the most from their experience. Not to worry if this sounds like you. Hack Library School, ALA, SLA, and others, have compiled some excellent resources to help make your first conference a success. Read on for more information:

• Hack Library School: http://hacklibraryschool.com/2014/02/03/hack-your-first-professional-conference/
• Librarian By Day: http://librarianbyday.net/2013/05/04/updated-ala-survival-tips-and-packing-suggestions-for-ala13/
• Free Range Librarian: http://freerangelibrarian.com/2010/06/19/ala-conference-survival-tips-35-conferences-later/
• SLA Tips for First-Time Attendees: http://www.sla.org/attend/2014-annual-conference/general-info/tips-for-first-time-attendees/

Do you have a tip for a first-time conference attendee? Share it here.