Presenting Your Work

Presenting your research, scholarship or creative activity (RSCA) project to peers and experts in your field to receive feedback is a regular part of creating new knowledge. Presenting can also be a beneficial professional development experience.

Be aware that traveling to present your work can be expensive. Check out information on funding student RSCA.

Benefits of Presenting Your RSCA

  1. Public Speaking Skills: Presenting at a conference helps students develop essential soft skills such as public speaking and effective communication. Public speaking skills are highly valued by employers. Presenting your project can help you prepare technical content and a confidence presence during job interviews.
  2. Increased Confidence: Overcoming the initial fear of public speaking and successfully presenting your research can significantly boost your self-confidence. This increased confidence can positively impact various aspects of your personal and professional life.
  3. Sense of Accomplishment: Successfully presenting your research at a conference can be a significant achievement. It can provide a sense of accomplishment and motivate you to pursue further research endeavors.
  4. Feedback and Validation: Presenting your research to a knowledgeable audience can provide valuable feedback and constructive criticism. This feedback can help refine your research methodology, strengthen your arguments, and improve the overall quality of your work.
  5. Resume Builder: Presenting a project can be an additional line on your resume, signaling to future employers that you are capable of speaking in front of important colleagues or customers.
  6. Potential Publication Opportunities: Some conferences offer opportunities to publish your research in conference proceedings or journals. This can significantly boost your academic profile and contribute to your long-term academic goals.
  7. Networking Opportunities: Conferences provide a unique platform to connect with renowned experts, professors, and industry professionals. Building relationships with these individuals can lead to future collaborations, mentorship opportunities, and potential job prospects.
  8. Exposure to Cutting-Edge Research: Conferences offer a chance to learn about the latest advancements in your field of study. By attending talks and discussions, students can gain insights into emerging trends and innovative research methodologies.
  9. Global Perspective: Attending conferences can expose you to diverse cultures and perspectives. Interacting with researchers from different backgrounds can broaden your horizons and foster a global mindset.
  10. Cash Prizes: Some professional presentation opportunities offer cash prizes or awards for outstanding presentations, which can be used for travel, future work, or anything of the winner's choosing.

Presentation Opportunities for Students

Several organizations at SDSU and beyond host events where undergraduate and graduate students are encouraged to present their RSCA projects or showcase their creative activities. This is not an exhaustive list; mentors and peers within your field are likely aware of additional presentation opportunities that are more specific to your discipline at the regional, national, and international levels.

  • Research groups often have regular presentation opportunities at group meetings
  • Departments may have regular seminar series or colloquia where students are invited to present
  • RSCA support programs may host presentation events like symposia or conferences that are specific to students in those programs
  • SDSU University Library maintains a list of discipline-specific organizations that may welcome undergraduate and graduate RSCA presentations at their conferences or professional events