Law Students

Rules for Being on Panels

By Andrea

1. Stop talking at some point.

That's it. That's the only rule.

I have been on a LOT of panels in the last 5 months - I keep volunteering at work, Harvard groups know I'm a sucker for career stuff, and Teach for America asked me to do one earlier today. I don't know if I'm the best panelist ever, but I think I'm pretty solid. That's because I developed rules so I wouldn't be That Panelist.

My rules were: 1)Answer the question directly instead of veering off into unrelated anecdotes; 2) Think about the topic before you walk into the room, and 3) Stop talking! But then I did a couple more events, and realized 3) is the only real rule. I have sat next to some incredibly impressive people who WILL NOT STOP, and combined with overly polite moderators who won't cut them off, it's a train wreck. (Tonight the TFA woman was awesomely firm with Rambling Professor Guy. Props to her.)

It's a personal point of pride that although I've been a lawyer for five minutes and am underqualified for every panel I've been on, I keep it snappy. I'm available for your next event, too!

I also get to conduct my first legal training next week, so we'll get to see if I manage to avoid all the stuff I don't like in trainings: too much paper, too much on the agenda, and going over time. Snappy, dammit!

Sorry this post is boring. But look: now it's over! And...we still have time for the Q&A.

Full post as published by Peanut Butter Burrito on February 02, 2009 (boomark / email).