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How do you ask your superiors for a day off to attend an event relating to your field?

I'm beginning as an intern in the tech industry soon, and TechInclusion is having a 2-day conference in NYC in about a week from today. Is it appropriate to ask my boss for a day off so I could attend the conference? If it is, how should I approach requesting such absences and would I expected to extend the invitation to others in the office? #management #tech #industry-related-events #leaves-of-absence

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Julien’s Answer

Hi there!


The angle I would use is showing the value of the event for you/the company: is there one session that will allow you to have a bigger impact in your current job? Will you be able to meet people that will allow the business to grow? Try to be concrete and not too generic.


Also make sure your request is properly formatted: add the dates, a quick description of the event, maybe the speakers you're the most interested in and if you need money the budget required to travel and then add the little paragraph with the potential value.


Also, some cool readings that will give you even more info than my little paragraph:
1. How to Convince Your Boss to Send You to a Conference
2. How to Get Your Boss to Send You to a Cool Conference


Good luck and keep us posted!

Thank you comment icon Wow, thanks a lot! I will definitely consider those questions in more depth, but even while scratching their surface, it seems that attending this event will deepen my interest for technology and perhaps even keep the company up to date with current developments and recent releases in technology. Moreover, those are great reads. I'm confident I can now request to attend the events in a very resourceful and persuasive manner. Jerry
Thank you comment icon Glad it was helpful! I'd say go even deeper because here your manager could push back and tell you that you can just stay updated while reading the news. Find something unique (a speaker, networking event, a panel) that will make your case even stronger ;) Julien Schleret
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Jeff’s Answer

I would start by looking at the specific agenda for the event. Pick out some key topics that stick out to you, and maybe build a few small talking points around a few of these. On top of these tangible answers, let your manager know that you would like to network and meet others in your field. When you get back from your awesome event, ask you manager for a quick 5 minute meeting to recap some of the things that you brought back from the event. Let them know about a person or two that you met at the event as well. This follow up may make it easier to attend one of these events in the future! Good luck, and enjoy your event.

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Jen’s Answer

Attending conferences in your field is a great way to grow your skills as well as network with others in similar roles as you. In my experience, my managers have been very supportive and encourage me in this area.

A good way to approach the conversation with your manager would be to provide some details about how the information you would learn at the conference would be a benefit to your career as well as the company.

Additionally, being prepared to share what you learn with your colleagues after returning is a huge win. It shows that you are invested in sharing the benefits with the company and team.


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Tori’s Answer

Many tech conferences provide draft emails to your boss:


http://www.emcworld.com/boss.htm


Also, every time you go, make sure you write up a trip report that covers what you learned, who you met, and why it was good you were there.

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Christophe’s Answer

Hi there


My suggestion will be , try to elaborate what You are looking to achieve attending this event and what could be the takeaways that could help You in your job , and to help You to increase skills , knowledge that could
bring value added to your depratement , company


Doing so will make it easier to ask for a day off and to get a positive answer ...


Also propose to make a debrief to the whole team you are working on to share information , best practices and so on


To conclude , be prepared before asking and show a plan that will follow your participation


Did it in the past and it works !


Cheers


Chris

Thank you comment icon I'm happy to be hearing advice from someone who has had past experiences! Thanks, Christophe. :) Jerry
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Christine’s Answer

I always have the reasons why I want to do something available. So be sure to tell your boss why you want to attend the conference or event and what you are hoping to learn from it, why it will be useful in your role, etc. You could even commit to providing a recap after the event to highlight what you learned and your key takeaways

Christine recommends the following next steps:

Create a list of reasons why you want to attend the event/conference
Discuss with your boss the list you made and why you think the conference will be beneficial to your role
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Donald’s Answer

I would just add that you might think of specific ways to share the knowledge you receive at the even so that it becomes available to the rest of the staff. Adding this to a request may make it more compelling.


Good Luck
Don

Thank you comment icon Yep, it seems the ideal approach is to prepare to showcase the benefits of attending the event to myself and the entire office. Thank you, Don! Jerry
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