Making the Most of Your ASHA Experience
The flights have all been
booked, hotel reservations made, mardi gras beads and masks have all been
packed-you're ready for your visit to "The Big Easy"…..or are you? It's your
first national convention and although you'd never admit it, you're filled with
fear and trepidation about what the week is to hold. Have no fear! RehabCare
is here to help you make the most of your ASHA 2009 experience. Here are a few
tips you may want to remember:
1. Prepare to
be Overwhelmed- When you first walk into the exhibit hall it is
totally okay to feel slightly overwhelmed at the sight of hundreds of booths
teeming with thousands of professionals and students just like yourself. Just
remember that if you have a plan and work through the booths methodically you
can stop and see everyone you would like to meet.
2. Know Which
Booths You Want to Visit- Whether you have heard great things about
a company, you've been in communication with someone, or your professor
recommends an exhibitor to you, know ahead of time who you want to visit. Often
companies will send you a postcard that is good for some type of giveaway (or an
added chance at winning a mini laptop). These are good things to keep in a folder
and take with you. And, of course, if you go nowhere else, stop by booth 1315
and get a very cool giveaway and enter to win RehabCare's Mini Laptop!
3. Use the
Resources Provided- On their website ASHA offers a very useful tools
called "My Planner". This program gives you access to search the over 1700
education sessions. It gives you the ability to organize your selected sessions
into one easy-to-read page that shows where you need to be and when you need to
be there. My Planner also lets you add appointments, hotel information, and
exhibitors you want to visit. This tool is very helpful. I'd highly recommend
you utilize it to help you make the most of your experience.
4. Know What
You Want to Ask- With graduation nearing your head is full of
questions about what comes next. Have some of these questions ready to ask the
companies you meet. Some questions you may want to ask include, "What kind of
benefits do you offer?", "What locations do you have near me?", "Does your
company offer tuition assistance or tuition reimbursement?", "Do you provide
money to assist with CEU's?", and "Do you offer a mentorship program?". Knowing
in advance the questions you'd like answered will help you direct the
conversation in a way that is most useful to you.
Using these few short
tips will help you make the most of your experience at the ASHA convention this
year! Have a great time and remember to come by and see RehabCare at Booth
1315. We will be giving away a mini laptop. And don't forget to enjoy a little
Jambalaya and Crawfish Etouffe while you're in New Orleans!
