NET IMPACT CONFERENCE PREP SESSIONOCTOBER 6, 2011

WHEN Register and kick-off: Thursday evening (10/27) Not necessary but helpful if you’re in town

First session: 9:00 AM Friday (10/28) Try to be in by Friday morning at the latest

Last session: 6:30 PM Saturday (10/29) Stay through the end: it’s worth it!

TRAVEL (PDX) Book now (if you haven’t already) Arrive: Thursday PM or earlier Depart: Saturday PM or later Airport easily accessible by light rail (~ $2 per trip)

LODGING Hotels listed on website: 2011.netimpact.org Interested in sharing? Check our Google Doc and network Rates in the low $100’s/night Book now (or find someone who has)

REIMBURSEMENT Funding secured from MPO At least $100 per person (potential for more) Need proof of attendance

(save your conference name badge)

PREPARATIONS Get excited! Resume Business cards Personal pitch

Tailor it to Net Impact? Plan ahead

Network online beforehand Research speakers and companies Plan your schedule and be strategic

PREPARATION TIPS“From my perspective, the best way students can get the most value out of attending is to prepare ahead of time.

There are scores of sessions and workshops and it can be overwhelming. I suggest that students print the agenda a

few weeks ahead and start to identify the sessions of most interest. You can do deep in a particular area such as

International Development or Sustainability or Finance, or get a sampling of everything. Use breaks to network,

network, network. Bring your business cards and ask for cards when appropriate. Be sure to have your pitch ready -especially when talking to a speaker who is being targeted by many other students. Find quieter times to connect with

speakers and employers as well. Go to the dinners. Be polite. Say thank you.”

Melissa Carrier, Center for Social Value Creation

SCHEDULE 10+ sessions at a

time You will be busy! Plan ahead Print it out Connect with

speakers Arrive early, stay

late Be strategic with

your time

NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK“My advice would be to network, network, network at the NI

conference. It's a great opportunity to have real conversations with the corporate representatives about their work as well as the company's efforts, so take advantage of

that. Be sure to ask people about their own career paths and how they have progressed. Do not be discouraged if a

company states that they are not hiring for CSR, sustainability, etc. Find out about their corporate initiatives in this space and how other functional areas contribute to their efforts. Find out if there are other roles that can help

build up to getting the ‘dream’ role.”

Kasandra Gunter-Robinson, Smith OCS

NETWORKING TIPS Do your homework AHEAD OF TIME Create a profile on the NI conference website Connect with speakers

Show them you are excited REAL conversations

Talk to speakers before & after sessions Talk to industry leaders, not as many recruiters Be insightful, show you know your stuff