Sigma Tau Delta 2012 Convention

[Two Espressos]

Hello all,

I'm not sure if STD (I love these initials. To paraphrase a former professor, "STD? What the fuck were they thinking?") has much of a presence on these boards, if at all, but if there are any Sigma Tau Delta members among us who attended the international convention in New Orleans this year, I'm curious: what were your thoughts? Did you enjoy the convention, hate the convention, barely attend the convention? (My group was without an adviser this year, and we only spent maybe two hours or so a day at the convention. The rest of the time was spent either sightseeing, dining, or getting drunk on Bourbon St.)

I liked the panels that I attended, especially the one I presented in, but some of the panels were disappointing. Really, a panel on Twilight? What the fuck?!

I realize that most grad cafe members are either enraptured with acceptances or despairing over rejections right now, but if you want to take a break from the hell that is the application season, please comment below.

[Fiona Thunderpaws]

I liked the panels that I attended, especially the one I presented in, but some of the panels were disappointing. Really, a panel on Twilight? What the fuck?!

Haha, I did my undergraduate thesis on Twilight. Then it was a part of the honors college poster presentation. Boy, were the parents of those perspective engineers appalled!

But anyway, I second this notion. I'm not a part of STD, but I feel like maybe I should be? Is it worth being a member?

[cinemaniac7147]

I attended the conference. I actually spent most of the time sitting in my hotel room working on my thesis that is due this week. I thought a lot of the panels sounded interesting, but I did not attend many myself.

Some of the other people I was with had a great time at the guest speakers and other panels. One of the girls I was with also won a convention award for best paper, so we had a good time all around!

[Two Espressos]

But anyway, I second this notion. I'm not a part of STD, but I feel like maybe I should be? Is it worth being a member?

I'd say that it's worth being a member. Membership isn't going to help with graduate school directly, but it does provide some opportunities for networking, conference presentations, scholarships, etc. I've presented at two STD conferences thus far, and I've enjoyed both of them. And I've been elected president of my university's STD chapter for the next academic year, so that's nice too: another line for my CV!

[Two Espressos]

I attended the conference. I actually spent most of the time sitting in my hotel room working on my thesis that is due this week. I thought a lot of the panels sounded interesting, but I did not attend many myself.

Some of the other people I was with had a great time at the guest speakers and other panels. One of the girls I was with also won a convention award for best paper, so we had a good time all around!

Yeah, I brought reading material for my independent study with me, but I didn't read it at all the whole trip. So much for being productive!

I wonder: is it normal for attendees to only attend only a few panels per day? 'Cause we spent very little time at the actual convention and lots of time exploring NOLA.

[id quid]

I wish I had known it existed while I was an undergrad! Alas, my alma mater isn't even on the membership list, and I'm three years too far gone to rectify that situation.

[caitlee91]

Yeah, I brought reading material for my independent study with me, but I didn't read it at all the whole trip. So much for being productive!

I wonder: is it normal for attendees to only attend only a few panels per day? 'Cause we spent very little time at the actual convention and lots of time exploring NOLA.

My group (there are three of us) only attended each other's panels. The rest of the time we hit up New Orleans as none of us had ever been. I spent some of my time working on my thesis, but the rest was heading off into the French Quarter, doing a cemetary tour, taking the St. Charles trolley to the Garden District, etc. I think it depends on where the conference is. One of my friends went to the one in St. Louis a few years ago and she mainly stayed in the hotel since there wasn't much to do and the hotel was in a bad area.

I definitely like the organization though and I enjoyed the (three) panels I attended

[Fiona Thunderpaws]

I'd say that it's worth being a member. Membership isn't going to help with graduate school directly, but it does provide some opportunities for networking, conference presentations, scholarships, etc. I've presented at two STD conferences thus far, and I've enjoyed both of them. And I've been elected president of my university's STD chapter for the next academic year, so that's nice too: another line for my CV!

Is it strictly an undergrad thing? It might be too late for me... It didn't exist until my senior year, and by then I'd already plunked down some money for Phi Beta Kappa.

[Kiseki]

Is it strictly an undergrad thing? It might be too late for me... It didn't exist until my senior year, and by then I'd already plunked down some money for Phi Beta Kappa.

I didn't join Sigma Tau Delta until I was an MA student (as my undergraduate school didn't have it there). If your school has a Sigma Tau Delta, it should be available at both the undergrad and graduate level.