Be prepared

No matter what profession you undertake, it is important to be able to discuss your work with members of the field. Whether you are at a lecture, a conference, or are simply talking at a dinner party these are all places where you will need to discuss your research. And it is important to make a good impression. Your ability to convey your work to another can get others interested in your ideas, may spark collaboration, or may even create a possible opportunity for funding for the research.

When I worked with Professor Andrew Ward at Swarthmore he explained that he was always prepared to discuss his work in a manner that would be easily understood, but in a way so that it didn’t lose any of its flavor. Below is a short example paragraph of what I would have said while doing the research with Professor Ward.

Statement:
“Our research focuses on mental control. Philosophers have discussed the expression ‘don’t think about the pink elephant in the room.’ You may have also experienced something similar. Has anyone ever told you not to think of something and then you find yourself constantly thinking of it? In psychology, this research was headed by Dan Wegner who told people not to think of a white bear."

“However, in our lab we feel a white bear is a complete out of the ordinary request for a participant, and that the novelty and pressure of a white bear is what causes people to constantly think of it when instructed not to. In the past, Professor Ward has done studies in which he has attempted to minimize the novelty and reduce the pressure of suppressing ‘white bear’. For instance he told participants that they would be required to suppress thoughts of an animal and a color. Then he explained they were in the white-bear condition. He also instructed people to suppress thoughts of a mood survey. Lastly, he told participants: ‘Don’t think of a white bear, but if you have to feel free.’ In each of these three instances participants thought less about the target stimulus, white bear or the survey."

“These finding led Professor Ward and I to wonder if we could manipulate the ability to suppress thoughts on a more subtle level. Currently we are working on this more implicit manipulation. Before participants attempt to suppress thoughts of a white bear, we prime them with thoughts of ‘freedom’ and ‘choice,’ in the hope that this priming will help participants suppress unwanted thoughts. This research has implications for depression and PTSD, where unwanted thoughts often take over a person’s life”

This statement relates to the audience in the beginning, gives them adequate background information, and follows to the current line of research. Simply writing down a statement such as this can greatly enhance your fluidity and ability to convey what it is that you do on a daily basis. After all, if you do it everyday, you better at least look like you know what you are doing. You don’t want to be stumbling over words about your own work; people will take you less seriously and be far less interested.

So, I suggest that no matter what profession you are in; be it education or entertainment, take time to write down a statement of your work. You never know who you will meet, and for the sake of your work and reputation it is important to be prepared.