Maximizing the Conference Experience: Tips to Effectively Navigate Academic Conferences Early in Professional Careers
Set two clear goals before you leave home and lock in a follow-up plan before you unpack.
01Research in Context
What this study did
Becerra et al. (2020) wrote a how-to guide for new BCBAs.
They list steps to take before, during, and after an ABA conference.
The paper is a roadmap, not an experiment.
What they found
The authors say you should set two goals before you buy your ticket.
One goal is a skill you want to learn.
The other is a person you want to meet.
After the last session, write a short action plan so the CEUs turn into real career moves.
How this fits with other research
Morris et al. (2022) pick up where Becerra stops.
They show how to keep the momentum once you are back at a teaching college.
Together the two papers form a full loop: network at the event, then run small studies with the people you met.
Alligood et al. (2021) give a parallel plan for switching specialties.
Their steps—find a mentor, join a group, take paid entry work—pair well with Becerra’s conference networking tips.
Britton et al. (2021) add a safety check.
They remind you to track supervision hours and ethics codes while you chase new contacts.
Why it matters
You paid for the flight, the hotel, and the badge.
This paper makes sure you also leave with a next job, a collaborator, or a new skill.
Use the one-page action plan template to turn each business card into a calendar invite within one week.
Want CEUs on This Topic?
The ABA Clubhouse has 60+ free CEUs — live every Wednesday. Ethics, supervision & clinical topics.
Join Free →Email one speaker you met and ask for a 15-minute Zoom to discuss their data.
02At a glance
03Original abstract
Most behavior analysts who are certified or licensed regularly attend professional conventions to obtain required continuing education credits and remain current with advances in clinical applications and research findings. As the number of behavior analysts in the profession grows, so, too, does the number of novice conference attendees at professional events. Attending conferences can be exhilarating to those who are new to the field and the context of professional events. The purpose of this article is to provide practical guidance on the topics of how to thoughtfully select a conference, how to set goals for attending (e.g., strengthening skills, developing new skills, networking), and how to proactively plan for an upcoming conference, as well as some consideration for after the conference has ended.
Behavior Analysis in Practice, 2020 · doi:10.1007/s40617-019-00406-w