My First Conference: Tips I Wish I Knew Before

I still remember the feeling of walking into my first academic conference in 2023: the European Association of Work and Organizational Psychology (EAWOP) conference in Katowice. My stomach was doing gymnastics, my hands were clammy, and I felt like everyone around me had already published three books and solved all the great mysteries of psychology, while I was still struggling to figure out how to design half-decent PowerPoint slides.

Fast forward two years later, I found myself at the Academy of Management (AOM) conference in Copenhagen. You would think by then I would be a pro, strolling in with the confidence of someone who has “been there, done that.” Spoiler: I was not! The nerves were still there, but this time, I had learned a few tricks that made the whole experience not just survivable, but actually enjoyable.

So, if you are about to attend your first conference and hold a presentation, let me help you! I will share what I learned, what I regret, and some advice I wish someone had told me before.

Presenting in a Symposium: Why it’s Less Scary Than it Sounds

Both conferences mentioned involved a symposium. If you’re new to the concept, a symposium is essentially a themed session where several presenters (usually 3–5) talk about their research on a shared topic. It is like a mini-series: each person contributes an episode, and together, the whole thing makes sense as one storyline.

The word symposium sounds intimidating, but in reality, these sessions are usually small. At both EAWOP and AOM, there were maybe 40–50 people in the room. Sometimes fewer. Why? Because at big conferences, there are dozens of parallel sessions happening at the same time. Attendees are constantly choosing where to go, and that spreads the audience out.

This was one of my biggest realizations: you are not about to present in front of a stadium full of people. Most likely, you’ll have a cozy little crowd, more like a seminar than a TED talk. That already takes away a lot of pressure.

It is not a Performance, it is a Conversation

At my first symposium, I thought my job was to deliver a flawless performance: perfectly polished slides, not a single “um” in my speech, no trembling hands. Looking back, I wish I had a different mindset.

Yes, you should prepare and practice, but the point of presenting at a conference is not to prove you are a world-class speaker. The real goal is to share your work and get feedback. Think of it less as defending your PhD thesis and more as joining a conversation with colleagues who are genuinely curious.

One of the best tips I can give is this:

Prepare some discussion questions in advance!

“What do you genuinely want to learn from the audience? Which aspects of your project could benefit from outside perspectives?” There will be knowledgeable people sitting in the room, why not use the chance to ask them for advice? This shifts the focus from “I have to impress everyone” to “I get to learn from everyone.”

Submitting Early = Stressing Less

Here is a very practical lesson: in symposia (fancy word for multiple symposiums), organizers often collect all presentations ahead of time and merge them into one file. That means you’ll usually have to submit your slides earlier than you expect. At EAWOP, I was scrambling at the last minute. By AOM, I learned: finishing early is a gift to yourself.

Because here’s the thing, conferences are already overwhelming. New city, new people, endless sessions, information overload. If you’re also stressing about unfinished slides, it will drain energy you could use to actually enjoy and learn from the event.

When your presentation is finished and submitted in advance, you walk into your session with one less thing to worry about. You know your slides are ready, the tech is sorted, and you can focus on connecting with the audience. It creates a kind of safety net and in the middle of all the new impressions, you can feel steady and prepared when it matters most.

So, don’t just meet the deadline, but aim to be done a few days before. Future you will be grateful!

The Beauty of Being a Small Fish in a Huge Pond

At AOM in Copenhagen, I realized just how massive conferences can be. Hundreds of sessions, thousands of researchers, and endless rooms. At first, this was overwhelming. But then I realized that this also works in your favor.

There is so much happening all the time, nobody is keeping tabs on you. If you stumble during your presentation, it’s not going to be the talk of the conference dinner. Most people are focused on their own sessions or running to catch the next interesting panel. In a way, being a “small fish in a huge pond” is liberating. You can experiment, make mistakes, and practice without the weight of the world on your shoulders.

It also means you can explore freely. You don’t have to “get it right” or attend everything. You can dip into sessions outside your area, observe how others present, and find your own rhythm.

Networking: More Than Just Collecting Business Cards

Let’s be honest, one of the biggest reasons to go to conferences is networking. I used to roll my eyes at the word “networking”, imagining forced small talk over stale coffee. As someone more on the introverted side, it still doesn’t come naturally to me. Sometimes the conversations feel a bit awkward or artificial, and I would much rather listen than jump in.

But at both EAWOP and AOM, I realized networking is much more than exchanging LinkedIn profiles. It’s about finding your academic “tribe.” Sometimes that happens in formal settings, like asking a question after someone’s talk. Other times, it happens randomly—over breakfast, in a workshop, or while waiting in line in order to grab a cup of coffee.

If you want to become a researcher, these connections are gold! Joint projects, future collaborations, even PhD or postdoc opportunities often start with a casual chat at a conference. My regret? Not being bolder in approaching people. At EAWOP, I hesitated too much. By AOM, I had learned: most people are friendlier and more approachable than you think. And honestly, most of the senior researchers are thrilled when someone young shows interest in their work.

Don’t Forget to Actually Enjoy It

Another regret from my first conference: I spent so much energy worrying about my own presentation that I barely allowed myself to enjoy the rest of the event. That was a mistake. Conferences are a buffet of knowledge (and sometimes literally a buffet of food, too).
Go to sessions outside your narrow research niche. You’ll be surprised how much inspiration you can draw from other fields. Take notes, ask questions, and let yourself be curious. And don’t forget to take breaks, too. Some of the best insights don’t happen in lecture halls but over a shared meal or a walk through the city.

A Few Final Tips for First-Time Presenters

To wrap things up, here’s a quick list of advice I wish someone had handed me before my first conference:

1. Prepare your slides early. Especially for symposia, where deadlines sneak up faster than you expect.
2. Practice, but don’t obsess. Aim for clarity, not perfection.
3. Think discussion, not performance. Come with questions for your audience.
4. Use the small room to your advantage. It’s intimate, not intimidating.
5. Network with intention. Do not just collect contacts, look for people you genuinely connect with.
6. Explore beyond your niche. Attend sessions outside your area; you might discover unexpected ideas.
7. Enjoy the ride. Take in the atmosphere, the city, the people, it is part of the experience.

Final Thoughts

Standing in front of an audience at your first conference feels a bit like jumping into cold water (unless you like that stuff). It is a shock at first, but once you are in, it is refreshing. My first time at EAWOP was nerve-wracking, but it taught me lessons I carried into other conferences, and those, in turn, will shape how I approach every future conference.

So, if you’re about to go through this experience, don’t be afraid! Remember, it’s not about being perfect, it’s about participating. Conferences are not exams; they are opportunities. Opportunities to share, to learn, to connect, and yes, to have fun along the way!

And who knows? The person you chat with over coffee might just become your future co-author.

About the Author

Magdalena Weber is a PhD student in Organizational Psychology with a passion for understanding how people thrive within their professional environments. Reflecting on her first conference experience, she realized there are many things she would approach differently next time—lessons that inspired her to share practical tips and encourage other early-career researchers to embrace similar opportunities with confidence. Through her writing, she hopes to motivate others to step into the academic community, learn from experience, and make the most of every chance to engage and contribute.