During my PhD, I attended numerous conferences. Some were purely for learning purposes, but often, as part of my training, I was required to present my ongoing research. This experience significantly improved my public speaking skills and helped me realize that presenting in front of others is an excellent way to meet new people.
Fast forward a few years to when I was living in Madrid. My university friend, Alex Gonzalez, would often introduce me to the trending meetups. Back in 2015, we attended Machine Learning Spain and R group Grupo de Usuarios de R de Madrid along with Databeers. We particularly enjoyed Databeers; it had a great atmosphere and engaging talks. Through these events, we met many people - some of whom remain my friends today - and I’ve even had the opportunity to work with a few at different companies.
In both chapters of my life - as an academic researcher and a data professional - I discovered it’s much easier to converse with diverse groups of people when you’re the one giving the talk. It’s logical; some attendees may be curious about your topic and want to learn more. Additionally, as a speaker, you’re more visible; people already know your name and what you do, making it easy for them to approach you with questions.
Public speaking is an effective way to expand your network - not only with attendees but also with other meetup organizers. Many organizers struggle to find speakers who have unique insights or stories to share; hence, it’s quite likely that you’ll receive invitations asking for your collaboration. What’s truly amazing is how some individuals remember you long after your talk has ended; on occasion, these connections have led me to new job opportunities.
So if it isn’t obvious by now: I wholeheartedly encourage everyone - especially young professionals - to embrace public speaking. Not only does it enhance communication skills but it can also positively impact your personal life by introducing you to interesting individuals and creating new professional opportunities.