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[synecdoche]

I recently attended a couple of conferences and was trying to make an effort to establish a few professional contacts. I'd appreciate advice on following up. I've been trying to develop my networking skills as it is something that I've always been uncomfortable doing, while recognizing that it is an important part of this business.

Anyway, at a recent conference, I met PrettyBigName. Hu attended the panel that I was a part of. Hu came to talk to me afterward, complimented my paper, and suggested I take a look at an essay in a collection hu's editing that is coming out next month. I spoke to hu a couple more times over the course of the conference, and hu was really helpful and genuinely interested in my work, admitting that hu had done some quick research on the topic of my paper after my panel and was considering assigning the subject I talked about into hu's classes. I'm really pleased about this.

Anyway, what's the next step? I'd like to maintain this contact; hu would be a great external examiner when defense time comes and I think a great contact in general. Plus, hu was generally a nice person to chat with. I feel like "Hey, I enjoyed meeting you this weekend" would be a bit transparent.

[systeme_d_]

Do you know which press is publishing the edited collection?  If not, email and ask.

If you were told, then wait until the anthology comes out, and email Professor BigName after you've read it, with a substantive comment /compliment.

[dr_prephd]

And don't be afraid to ask to set up a meeting to talk about your diss. topic and whether s/he would be interested in serving as a reader. Don't be afraid to be transparent.

[lorelei]

Friend him on facebook.

[dr_prephd]

Friend him on facebook.

Ew.