Wednesday, 3rd July 2024 — Today was a significant day at the University of Kent, marking the Postgraduate Researchers Conference 2024 and the award ceremony for the three-minute thesis competition. As I mentioned before, I secured the runner-up position. For the conference, I presented a part of my PhD thesis. Despite not finishing my PowerPoint due to the short notice of my presentation—only two days—I managed to pull everything together and deliver a good presentation.
I arrived a bit late because I was sorting out my parking on campus, as I don’t have a permit. By the time I got there, someone else was presenting during my slot, so I had to wait for my turn. When I finally got on stage, I noticed my first supervisor in the audience, smiling at me. His presence didn’t throw me off balance, but I was a bit disappointed that I hadn’t included the findings in my slides, so I had to speak through that part.
After my presentation, my supervisor emailed me saying it was very good, which made me quite happy. Positive feedback is always inspiring. I also received encouraging feedback from the coordinator, who presented her own thesis on autism and the lack of reports about women or girls with autism.
The highlight of the day was the award presentation in the evening at 4pm. It was rewarding, not just because of the cash prize and certifications, but also because of the new connections I made. People were eager to identify with success, and I exchanged contact information with several new acquaintances on LinkedIn and Teams. Although I wasn’t in the mood to network extensively, I appreciated that people reached out, recognising my efforts. It was a great day to connect with other PhD students and celebrate our achievements.
An interesting experience was with a lady who sat next to me. After I initially declined to vote in the poster competition because I hadn’t seen the posters, she encouraged me to vote for her. I did, and she won. She had promised to host dinner if she won, and she kept her promise. This experience underscored the importance of speaking up and networking because one vote can make a significant difference.
I also connected with my friend, Inah, who presented a groundbreaking presentation today, and I’m looking forward to seeing his research published in top-tier journals. We later spent some time at his home watching a movie, as I enjoy action films, intelligent movies, and documentaries.
Overall, it was an eventful and successful day. I networked with people, earned an award, and presented a paper—both of which are great additions to my CV. I also received valuable feedback on how to enhance my YouTube channel.
Takeaways:
- Networking is Crucial: Building connections can lead to unexpected opportunities and support, as seen with the lady who won the poster competition and my new LinkedIn contacts.
- Adaptability and Resilience: Despite last-minute preparations and initial setbacks, maintaining composure and delivering a strong presentation can lead to positive outcomes and recognition.
- Positive Feedback Fuels Motivation: Constructive criticism and encouragement from supervisors and peers can inspire continued effort and improvement in one’s work.
