I really enjoy going to conferences (if you cannot tell from my last post), and feel lucky to go to 1-2 per year. I get to be a non- distracted adult for once. I control my day; I am only in charge of MYSELF! I get to learn and connect and have interesting discussions (both medical and non). I am always ready to go home by the end, but — as I mentioned — I’m so glad that these events are a part of my career. Also, I see physicians in their 60s, 70s, and beyond at these things and am blown away that am going to get to do this for so long and through different stages of life. I always picture myself + current colleagues as silver-haired ladies in suits. It occurred to me today that I will probably shrink someday to 4’11”.
Ahh well, I will also still probably wear heels.
ANYWAY. So it’s been great. Today I went to conferences from 7 am – 10 am, then took a running break (5 mi on hotel treadmill), and the went back from 1 pm – 6 pm. Interestingly I am much more interested in posters and research findings than I ever was as a resident or fellow. After this conference, I am even more excited that my career path has steered me back to academia (through the residency component), at least in some way.
Tonight = dinner with former (and missed!) Duke endo friends, and then perhaps an appearance at the Duke Peds alumni reception.
Tomorrow = HOME!
3 Comments
Glad you are having such a good time. I absolutely agree that conferences a couple times a year are perfect. It is SO SO nice to only be responsible for your self, and that your main job is to learn about stuff that really interests you for a few days. Also glad you discovered the joy of a solo drink & dinner at the hotel restaurant. It makes me feel grown up and business-trip-like!
Yep, I did feel rather grown up 🙂 And I’m going to do it again!!! It was a really fun meeting.
You’re post about conferences is making me dream of going to one. Poor basic science funding = no conferences for me for years now. Maybe I can rectify the situation soon!
It needs to be a conference in a city though. Not one of those ones where they love to throw 100-150 basic academic scientists in the middle of nowhere (so there is nothing to do but attend the conference) for 5 days of talks and posters that runs from 8AM-10PM. And you get a stranger (ie fellow scientist) as a roommate. Some people thrive on that. Me- not so much.
Happy travels!