Poster at APSA, worth going?

[overworkedta]

Hey all.  My coauthor and I did not get accepted for a paper at APSA but we did get accepted with a poster.  Considering the proposal was put together about a week before the deadline on a wild hare, I'm impressed.  It's a piggy-back off of something related to my dissertation and a large amount of the work is already done.  We will probably submit it soon after APSA if not before somewhere.  Who knows? 

 

Is it worth presenting a poster, though?  I've never done this.  I've always gotten a paper in somewhere - MPSA, SSSA, etc.  There will be some cost to me on this but I am told the networking opportunities are huge and I am on the job market this fall.

 

Would you go?

[catchermiscount]

Can't hurt. It's a good way to tie your hands to ensure that you get lots done on it, even if you don't get amazing feedback.

[cupofnimbus]

You may not get a ton of feedback--but being at APSA means you can go to panels and posters and network that way, too.

 

If you're going on the market this fall, sign up for the interview service. They're not really formal interviews, but still a bit better than Skype interviews.

[AmericanQuant]

On this very subject:

http://www.poliscirumors.com/topic/apsa-posters-worthwhile

[overworkedta]

If Gary King stopped by, I might faint.  I jest, but wow.  Yeah, I think it will be a good goal to work towards.  This is a paper with a coauthor and he says it can't hurt to have a deadline.

 

Thanks!

[catchermiscount]

Maybe this is just a function of the dissonance between my perfectionism and lack of aptitude, but even when I think a "paper is close," there's always some new improvement.  In this regard, having the deadline (even though you feel good about your progress) is good, as is the opportunity for somebody to make a passing remark that improves the final product.

[AuldReekie]

I see from PSR that they are asking scholars to be discussants for the poster section with each taking on 4-5, so you can at least be guaranteed some feedback

[overworkedta]

That would be excellent.

 

I'm not an introvert at all and poster sessions didn't bother me as an undergrad.  That said, it's been a LONG time.  I don't worry about talking to randoms or extremely well known people alike.  I just want to make sure I get the most bang for my buck.

 

My friend and colleague says we can share a hotel room there to save money, so at least someone else is going and we can do it together!  My coauthor has to come regardless because he has another thing to do with another former student.

[veritaserum]

Not sure how adventurous you're feeling, but you could also try Couchsurfing, or a hostel, if cost of accommodations is a concern?

[overworkedta]

I might try airbnb.  Or VRBO.  My friend and I may like to get a condo.  It's what my parents usually do (rent a condo) and cook meals, so I grew up like that.  It saves money.  But thanks for the reminder!