Attending a training seminar can be a meaningful way to expand your skill set, hear new perspectives, and meet people who are a good fit for your professional network. Whether it’s a half-day event or longer, what you get out of it will depend on how you approach the opportunity. Here are a few tips to help you make the most of the experience.
Get ready.
Preparation is key. Block off your calendar and make the event a priority. If it’s an in-person seminar, know where you’re going and how to get there, and build in some extra travel time to deal with any unexpected delays. Be sure to have your registration receipt and everything you’ll need to stay comfortable, including water, snacks for breaks, and an extra layer of clothing in case you end up in one of those over-air-conditioned rooms.
For a virtual event, go to the digital platform well ahead of time, learn how to use it if it’s new to you, and have your sign-on credentials handy in your online calendar. When it’s time for the seminar, sign on a little early in case there are any glitches to work through and have a plan B to lean on if you encounter IT issues. Once you’re all set, take a spin around the site to identify any one-on-one chat rooms, Q&A modules, or links to relevant resources.
Avoid distractions and participate.
For both onsite and online events, put your email in out-of-office reply mode, turn off the usual to-do lists in your head, and stay away from social media. Go old-school and use an actual notebook rather than taking notes on a device — research shows that people are more likely to remember something when putting pen to paper. Plus, you make a better impression if it’s clear that you’re paying attention and not potentially getting distracted on a laptop or phone.
Ask questions, whether that means raising your hand and speaking up or using technology. If there’s an event app, download it and explore its features. “Many in-person events use a conference app, and in my experience it’s a wonderful tool that facilitates deeper engagement and connection,” observes consultant Sarah Willey, an associate at Blue Canoe Philanthropy. “At a virtual event, this is even more important.”
Make an impression and network.
The benefits of a seminar can last long beyond the meeting if you put in the effort. Dress like the event matters to you and have your physical or digital business card ready to hand out. Remember your in-person manners and safety protocols if you’re going to be in the physical presence of other attendees. And if you’re online, stay on your toes. “Just as you would in person, put your best, and most professional, foot forward,” counsels Shayna Joubert, senior content marketing manager for Northeastern University’s Enrollment Management team.
For an internal company training session, be prepared to briefly describe whom you work with, what you do, and how long you’ve been part of the team. If your event brings together people from various organizations, be sure to provide the necessary context. “When it’s your turn to introduce yourself, have your ‘elevator pitch’ ready,” advises Joubert, “including the name of your company, your company’s function, and the role you play in the business.”
Follow up and engage.
Follow up with other participants within a couple of days, while the experience is still fresh in their minds. “The goal of networking is to build relationships, so whether you interacted in a conference app or spent a few minutes chatting at an in-person happy hour, this is a great step to take after the event,” says Willey. When people respond to your initial follow-up, stay engaged. “Keep in touch with your connections by sharing relevant content you think they’ll find useful, such as an informative blog post, inspiring TED talk, provocative industry whitepaper, or a local networking event,” adds Joubert. “In your note, tell them why it made you think of them and how it might provide value.”
You may also want to connect with presenters. “Send them an email or message them on LinkedIn and let them know why you enjoyed their session and what you learned from it,” suggests Willey. “This is also an opportunity to ask a follow-up question if you didn’t get a chance to live, or if you’ve thought of something after the session ended.”
Bottom line: That seminar is part of your journey and has the potential to make a lasting impression on you as well as on the people you meet. Make the most of it and see where that leads.
On Topic
Lesley Kabotie, Crow, is president of Indigenous Collaboration, Inc., a 100 percent Native-owned enterprise providing event facilitation, consulting services, and training that supports engagement and collaboration within tribal governments, Native nonprofits, communities, and enterprises contributing to the well-being of Indigenous peoples.
How frequently should people engage in professional development programs like training seminars?
Continuously. Exposure to new sources of information helps people expand their own sense of context and possibility. Gaining new knowledge helps grow confidence that the choices, decisions, and efforts you make are sound.
With so many programs out there, how can professionals ensure they are choosing one that is beneficial?
Stick to the basics — is the training speaking to something you have an interest in? Is it making sense? Is it sustaining your interest? When your brain, spirit, and energy are fully engaged, you are learning at a deep and enduring level. Bored out of your mind? Cannot understand what the presenter is talking about? MOVE ON! Keep going until you encounter someone or something that captures and holds your interest. There is no use wasting personal, emotional, spiritual, or financial resources on something that you are already disengaged from and therefore will not use.
What can attendees do to prepare for an in-person seminar?
Ask yourself what you want to know from the session and jot it down. If the presenter does not touch on what you’re interested in, but it seems to be in their body of knowledge or experience based on the session description and their background, ask questions. Presenters and trainers love to get specific, but often must focus on high-level treatment to cover a wide spread of the topic. When participants have questions on specifics, those questions provide a compass heading to focus the presenter’s remarks. Even if the trainer doesn’t have time to go too deep, she or he will often point you to more specific references that match your interests.
How does this differ from a virtual seminar?
Knowing what you want to get out of any training is helpful, whether the content is delivered in person or on a virtual platform.
What are some key takeaways seminar attendees can expect?
Unless you’re in a multiday intensive training, most seminars are intended to help participants develop a basic orientation and understanding of where and how to access further information on a subject, based on participants’ personal or professional interests. Seminars are a great introduction to the web and network of people and information tied with the topic.
What’s the best way to apply what you learn in training seminars? How can it be shared with others in the company?
Recapping “this was the topic, and these are my takeaways” lets others know that you’ve had exposure to a field of information. You will not come away from the session being an expert in the topic, but you will certainly have been exposed to the ‘breadcrumb trail’ that you — or others — can follow to learn more when the need arises. Recapping what you learned, at a high level, is also a great way to anchor and reaffirm your own takeaways from the investment you made to participate.
