An article from LinkedIn
Michael Titone, Annual Training Conference Chairman
Since 2019, I have been taking the initiative to share some of my experience by writing papers for the Vibration Institute Annual Training Conference. Now, I have agreed to chair the planning committee for the conference. Here are some reasons you should consider writing a paper for our conference. If you can think of any additional reasons, share them in the comments.If you are on the fence about writing a paper for a conference, I thought I would share some ideas that might help you decide to take the leap. Please visit vi-institute.org to find out how to submit an abstract.
Reason #1 – Promote yourself
“Promote yourself” does not mean presenting a blatantly commercial paper bragging about yourself or your company. It simply means sharing some of your experience or knowledge, and as a side benefit, it will help to get you noticed. If you are an employee for a large company, you will have a new line item on your resume, and managers might just see that you took an extra step to contribute to your profession. If you are a consultant or in a similar position, it will get you in front of many potential clients and possibly lead to additional business.
Reason #2 – Earn points for continuing education
I was proud and relieved to pass the PE exam many years ago, and then they instituted those annoying continuing education requirements. If you really think about it, however, continuing education should be a part of any real professional certification. I recently heard one of the foremost experts on machinery alignment say that all he tried to be was a student of the work. I thought that this was a great way to look at things. Even though I have never admitted it, this is truly what I have tried to do for my 30+ years of working in technical engineering roles. Publishing a paper is a way to earn points for what we do as a normal course of business. Papers count for ISO vibration certification renewals, PE renewals, and probably for many other certification renewals.
Reason #3 – Learn something new
I began teaching classes in 2012. That was when I really understood that teaching something worked in reverse. I have learned much more about the subjects I teach than I ever knew before I started teaching them. Writing papers has a similar effect. Pick something you have always wanted to understand better and write about it. If you do it right, you will find yourself studying, proving things to yourself, and encountering multiple “Ah ha” moments. You don’t have to be an expert in something to write a paper about it, you only need to know enough to write it correctly, and you may just find yourself on the road to developing some expertise.
Reason #4 – Give your manager a reason to approve your travel and expenses to the conference
In many companies these days the ONLY thing that seems to matter is the almighty dollar. While I fundamentally disagree with this philosophy, I don’t rule the world (unfortunately). If you are requesting approval to travel to the VI-ATC and you have written a paper, your conference fees will be reduced. In addition, you will have a solid basis for requesting approval for investing a small amount on expenses.
Reason #5 – Rub shoulders with industry experts and in some cases legends
I won’t name names of any current industry legends, but I will name drop some great names from the past. Due to my attendance at VI conferences, I have had the chance to have personal conversations with Dr. Ron Eshleman, and I have heard Charlie Jackson speak. These chances are now forever gone, but you can have similar opportunities today at the next VI ATC to talk to current legends. Speaking from personal experience, the conference format facilitates opportunities to speak to the many experts that walk around the event. The event is large enough to attract many experts but small enough to support personal interactions.
Reason #6 – Share a case history, it is easier than you might think
I was going to stop at five, but then I thought about case histories. If the thought of writing a technical paper is intimidating to you, consider writing a case history. If you are out there fighting the battles, you will end up with some scars and some stories. Write something about mistakes you made, and you might help someone else avoid them. Write something about victories won, and you might spark inspiration that saves a company money and downtime. If you are working with a consultant, collaborate on a case history. Case histories are popular because they demonstrate the actual application of all of this stuff that we study.