Why presenting could be good for your career

In October I presented a paper at an engineering conference, the first time I have done that in many years. Writing the paper and organizing my thoughts into a coherent story was hard work, but I believe it will help my career in several ways, especially if I keep doing it. Here are some of the benefits I see for being an author and presenter.

It focuses your attention on how you speak not just what you say

Presenting at a conference forces you to notice what other presenters are doing and how they do it. The best speakers will admit that it does not come naturally, it takes practice and getting in the habit of constantly paying attention to what you are doing. 

I see this as a kind of mindfulness. Even if I am pacing back and forth nervouslessly while answering a challenging question, and cannot stop myself at that time, I can at least be mindful in the moment that I am doing it, and have a better chance of managing that reflex the next time. And the ability to be mindful can provide benefits in life generally.

It may help you to be more confident

Confidence comes with doing. Once you have done something challenging, even in a way that leaves room for improvement, no one can take away from you the fact that you did it and survived. More likely than not, most of your colleagues have never done that.

This applies to being an author or presenter. Submitting an abstract is an act of confidence. Submitted a paper for review by strangers is an act of confidence. Standing in front of a group of strangers to present is an act of confidence. So is doing it again.

It may convince you that you know your stuff

I am starting from the assumption that you do know your stuff, because you do. If you have ever had a job, it is because you are good at something. You have probably learned many things during your career, some of which are esoteric, but much of which would be of interest to others.

It may help you tell a more coherent story about yourself

Any presentation, even if it is about work, is part of your own story. It is very easy in the busy pace of modern life, to neglect taking the time to tell your own story. Nothing could be more important in life.

Any presentation should include an About Me slide. Don't just talk about your job or your employer. Don't neglect the personal stuff. Tell people something about what you like, what you do for fun, and what you have learned along the way.