What question did this study set out to answer?

The study aims to evaluate how pre-conference webinars can enhance networking confidence and knowledge among undergraduate students attending a professional conference.

May 14, 2026Physiology

Pre-conference webinars to enhance student engagement in networking at professional conferences

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Authors

MSMary StensonUniversity of Minnesota, Duluth KSKatherine SpilliosUniversity of Mount Union SJSamantha JohnsonAlbert Einstein College of Medicine

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Implication

Randomized trial assesses the impact of pre-conference webinars on networking confidence in undergraduate students, suggesting this approach may improve their experience at conferences.

Key Points

The study aims to evaluate how pre-conference webinars can enhance networking confidence and knowledge among undergraduate students attending a professional conference.
Investigated student experiences via pre- and post-conference online surveys among 95 undergraduate exercise science students.
Developed and planned the Pre-Conference Mentorship Initiative (PCMI) webinar for early 2026 with assessments before and after.
Collected data at the 2026 conference through surveys to compare networking activities of participants vs. non-participants of the webinar.
98.6% of students reported faculty encouragement to attend the conference; however, only 32.1% received guidance on networking.
Students expressed a strong desire for increased support regarding networking prior to attending conferences.
It is expected that participants of the webinar will exhibit a greater number of networking activities at the conference compared to non-participants.

Cite This Study

Stenson et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a05684ea550a87e60a20cb3 https://doi.org/10.1152/physiol.2026.41.s1.2301537

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Implication

Randomized trial assesses the impact of pre-conference webinars on networking confidence in undergraduate students, suggesting this approach may improve their experience at conferences.

Pre-conference webinars to enhance student engagement in networking at professional conferences

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

Pre-conference webinars to enhance student engagement in networking at professional conferences

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

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