Hey everyone, and happy Monday (evening) to you! No, I hadn’t forgotten to post my outfit recap. I was pretty laid up all day Sunday, with what I believe was a case of mild food poisoning. I spent the day in bed, and food was the furthest thing from my mind all day long.
I’m happy to report that I’m feeling better — just in time for my conference this week, RVASec. I’ve been attending for five years now (wow!), and becomes better and better every year.
What is RVASec?
It is an annual cybersecurity conference comprised mostly of local businesses and organizations. It’s certainly not on the scale of something like DEFCON or BSides, which are two of the biggest conferences in the cybersecurity field, and they are both global events (if memory serves), drawing in thousands of attendees. RVASec draws in around 500 or so people, so much more manageable, especially when it concerns my natural introvertness (I am making it a word, thank you 😝).
The Exposed Shore
Conferences has been both a great and nerve-wracking experience for me — and I’d safely wager that the same is true for so many others out there. I’m pretty certain that I’m not the only one who feels it.
On the one hand, it’s a fantastic way to learn about things — oftentimes learning directly from the source. I tend to think of it as a kind of classroom kind of learning, which is something that helps me retain information longer. I can learn virtually, sure, but the knowledge just doesn’t stick like it does as when I’m learning it in person. In fact, there’s a learning session from last year’s conference that I still remember quite well. Contrastingly, there’s not much I can recall from the last virtual conference I attended.
It’s a great way to network, and meet people you wouldn’t normally meet through the normal course of your job. Being where I am, I don’t really interact with anyone outside of the organization. The conference gives me the opportunity to broaden my horizons, and expand my network — forging relationships that could come in handy in the future. It’s a great way to build a support network, even find a mentor or mentee.
On the other hand, for an introvert, conferences — big or small — can be exhausting. The expectation to be outgoing, cordial, and courteous to others can have introverts expending large amounts of energy to try and meet those expectations. There have been many conferences I’ve attended that, at the end of the day, I was absolutely wiped out, and needed to get some sleep. I’m still fuzzy on how exerting that much energy can physically be draining… 🤔
Also, two words: impostor syndrome. For those of you (like me) who suffer from this frequently, let me tell you: there is NO better way to crank your impostor syndrome up to 11 like going to a conference. Being around experts is a surefire way to feel inferior, and make you question your life’s choices. 😂
Despite that, I look forward to them. I don’t do a whole lot of networking (but I’m working on it!), and that’s okay. Most times, I prefer to sit on the edge of the rooms, and take everything in. I’m a visual person, and I enjoy hanging back and watching life unfold in front of me.
Sometimes I learn that way too.
Finally, here’s a look back at what I wore to work last week — I hope you enjoy them. Enjoy the week ahead, and I promise to go forth and learn new things over the next couple of days. ☺️
-Terry
June 1
June 2
June 4
June 5
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