Have you been ‘on the fence’ about attending a national conference? Stepping into the realm of large-scale conferences for the first time can invoke a rollercoaster of feelings and questions. There's the thrill (or nervousness for our introverts) of connecting with fellow higher ed enthusiasts, the adventure of exploring a new city, and hey, maybe even catching a ride in a WAYMO (autonomous cars, check them out!). And let's not forget the whirlwind of questions swirling in your mind: 'Will these presentations be overwhelming with information?' 'Which sessions should I even pick?' ‘Gosh, I hope there’s good snacks at the lunch break!’
I had the pleasure of interviewing Brittney Mikula Colton, Applications System Analyst from Cornell University's Office of the University Registrar. Brittney took the plunge into the world of national conferences by attending Alliance 2024 in Phoenix, AZ. In our chat, she shared her experience, offering insights on why YOU should mark your calendar for Alliance 2025 and join us in the vibrant city of New Orleans!
Your supervisor let you know you were going to Alliance. What were your first feelings about your first large conference?
Excitement! I love puzzles, I love things that allow creative thinking, and I love seeing where we can take students today. So, I was ecstatic that I was able and given the opportunity to go to a conference. A big conference, not one that was local, something I could truly be immersed in and learn so much. I was excited to connect with people both within and outside of Cornell. This included meeting individuals from other departments within the university and making connections in higher education across various institutions. And of course, I took a Waymo…
Okay, for all of us who don’t know what a Waymo is, tell us about it!
They are so cool! I saw them around the airports and I'm like, “what the heck is this thing? It's got cameras all around it. There's no one in there?!” So, I got the app and sure enough it found me, and it picked me up. You open a door and it said, “Good Afternoon, Miss Brittney.” I got right into the car, and it already knew some of my favorite playlists (which was a little odd). It was probably the smoothest car ride I have ever been in.
Very cool! Back to the conference, the session list is so long! How did you pick and choose your schedule?
Well, I tapped into a resource at Cornell that was a veteran of the Alliance conference that could show me the ropes and give me some tips. Because, yes, it is very overwhelming. I had no idea what to choose so that I am in sessions that apply to me. I learned from my colleague to sometimes double book sessions, preferably that were in the same area so it'll be easier to hop to different sessions to max out as much as I could in that time that because it went by so fast!
Were there any sessions or speakers that stood out to you?
The sessions that really spoke to me were the ones where users worked and made huge progress on their security. There was a vendor-led session on
Pathlock and just seeing how they did security, how they're able to implement/migrate was beautiful and amazing. Another session that I applied in my day-to-day was a how-to on simple tasks using MS Teams Task and Planners as well as a MS Excel 101 session. I have used those and applied the tips from those session and they've made my daily life so much simpler and more efficient.
Did you make any meaningful connections with other attendees from vendors or institutions?
I think the biggest impact on my professional growth has been the networking skills I gained. I wouldn’t have those new skills without attending this conference. During the event, I connected with a member of the Pathlock team, learning not only about Pathlock but also about his family. Additionally, I made strong connections with fellow users during the workshop ‘What’s Cooking in Your BA Kitchen’.
Now that the conference is over, is there anything you wish you had done differently or explored more?
Not that I can think of. I really aimed to max out my time because it’s never a guarantee of when I will be able to attend another large conference. So, I made sure to maximize every single session, every dinner event, every networking opportunity, and every learning chance I could. Outside of throwing in a nap, that may be the only thing I would have done differently (but I was too energized for that!).
Okay time for a fast-four round. I am going to stay a topic and you respond with your first thought:
Favorite swag item from the Vendor Hall: The Alliance
WorkDay cup (fact: it holds an ice cream pint perfectly keeping your hands from getting cold!)
Feeling when meeting the HEUG mascot, Whoo: Very important
Favorite ‘non-conference’ activity you did while in Phoenix: Going Hiking and of course, the Waymo
Best ‘core memory’ from the conference: Honestly, my workshop. It was just so amazing!
Lastly, what is a final bit of fun advice you can give to anyone who is considering attending
Alliance in 2025?
For first-time attendees: ‘Do it all.’ I know it might be overwhelming but taking advantage of every opportunity, and putting yourself out there (while its uncomfortable and scary) is well worth it.
For seasoned attendees: I would still say ‘do it all’ but also, try something new. We do what we do sometimes on repeat and sometimes it's nice to just break up the norm.
Most importantly,
explore the city where the conference is held. Try new foods, new drinks, and explore what the city has to offer.