#19: My First Conference Talk In-person

I gave my first conference talk in-person at the Uniting Women in Cyber event in Virginia hosted by the Cyber Guild on September 27, 2022. Doing conference talks for most people is very difficult and can be an anxiety fueled roller coaster. For me as a Neurodivergent with Autism and ADHD, it was even harder.

Terror

When I was invited to do a talk about Neurodiversity for a conference, I was thrilled at first. I had spoken at online conferences before, but in-person events are on a higher level. As time got closer, I was in terror. I always feel anxiety in crowded places, along with being on a stage, literally in a spotlight that blinds, and an entire room of people looking at me translates to sensory overload. Very common feelings that many Neurodivergent people have.

Day of the event, something unexpected happened. The conference organizers stepped into action. They found me, showed me the stage, guided me through where to walk, adjusted the spotlight brightness, showed me where I would sit, introduced me to the moderator, and made sure I was comfortable with the setup. This TLC significantly dropped my anxiety and stress. I am forever grateful to the conference organizers for taking care of me for my first in-person event. This should be the gold standard for how all Neurodivergent speakers can be prepped for in-person conference talks.

The Talk

When the talk started, I was still nervous and anxious, but I was not paralyzed. We talked about many things, one of the most important is the competitive advantage of Neurodiversity in cybersecurity. For example, how Neurodivergent people like me are really good at analyzing security logs, just like finding a needle in a haystack. Also talked about how the Israeli military have an entire military unit full of people like me because they recognized this same ability and use it to see and identify small details in satellite photos. This is a huge capability in cybersecurity, because just like in war, detection is key.

We also discussed the myths of Neurodiversity. One of the most devastating myths is that Neurodiverse conditions affect only young white boys. This creates a wall that prevents Neurodivergent women and non-white people from getting the help they need. Another myth is that Neurodivergent people are ideal for jobs in tech and cybersecurity. In reality, there are many career paths: music, art, writing, photography, dance, and many more. The most impactful was when I discussed how family, culture, and history prevents people from even talking about Neurodiversity and getting the help they need. There are sadly so many barriers in Neurodiversity.

Post-Talk and Analysis

After the talk, many people talked to me about so many things, it was overwhelming at times. Some told me that my talk opened their eyes as they start their Neurodiversity journey. Others have kids or have step kids with Neurodiverse conditions. While for most, this was the first time they even heard the term Neurodiversity. Some were deeply affected because they hide and mask their Neurodiverse conditions, as do many of us. All this means, there is a lot of work to be done around awareness, support, and advocacy.

In the final analysis, some tips come to mind since many people with Neurodiverse conditions struggle even going to conferences. First, go with a buddy, going alone can be overwhelming. Second, find places at the conferences where one can recover from anxiety and sensory overload. Third, plan to meet people, it can be stressful, but it is definitely worth it. Fourth, know your limits, most people with Neurodiverse conditions do not have an extended battery, so it is important to know when to leave.

Overall, my first in-person conference talk went well. I feel confident now for future talks. Also, I met many incredible people. I can’t wait for my next conference talk on October 19, 2022. Virtual, less stress.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any other agency, organization, employer, or company.