Volume 38 Number 4 | August 2024
Part 1: Idea Time!
Ali Nussbaum, MHHSA, MLS(ASCP)CM, caPM, ASCLS Today Volunteer Contributor
No one would deny that presenting a continuing education (CE) talk for the first time is highly intimidating. Between public speaking, talking to your peers, and fear of not being an expert on your topic of choice, giving a presentation can be daunting. Additionally, this process is seldom explained. In this three-part series, we will do a deep dive into how to get started, write a proposal, research the presentation, and put it all together for the presentation day. In part one, we will focus on creating an idea, writing a proposal, and building the confidence to submit that proposal.
I started giving presentations and CE lectures around two years ago. My first topic was self-motivation in the workplace, because my employer frequently didn’t recognize my contributions. Therefore, to stay motivated, I developed internal motivation practices. This was a very familiar topic for me, which made it incredibly easy to talk about, and I could include personal anecdotes in my lecture. When I started my journey, I relied on others to talk me through the process. My goal for this article is to empower everyone to attempt at least one lecture in their life and to not let their fear hold them back.
There are so many places to give presentations. The most common for our profession are CE presentations. Any certified laboratorian will need to earn CE hours to meet the requirements for recertification every three years. Therefore, there is always an audience willing to learn about any topic. Giving non-CE presentations is also an option and has less stringent rules for the content. The criteria for CE will be discussed in detail later.
Anyone willing to put the effort into organizing a presentation should give one. They are exhilarating and fulfilling. You do not need an elaborate résumé to qualify. All you need is a desire to share your knowledge and experience with others. Additionally, unlike the education system, there are no requirements for giving a presentation. If you work in the lab and are passionate about a topic and willing to speak publicly, then your proposals will gladly be accepted by organizations looking to host events. The search for new speakers is a constant challenge for groups putting out educational content.
My goal for this article is to empower everyone to attempt at least one lecture in their life and to not let their fear hold them back.
The topics you come up with do not have to be novel or elaborate. The goal is to find something for which you can research in depth, prepare a slide deck, and talk about for an extended period of time. The subject can be something that you know well or something you want to learn more about. When the presentation is over, you will be the subject matter expert and you’ll need to be prepared to answer any questions that come your way. Options for talks could be general informational sessions, case studies, leadership/management, updates on what is new to the field, or anything that can be deemed educational. The goal is to engage with an audience to make all your hard work worthwhile.
Once you have an idea, it is time to get your thoughts out on paper. The proposal is a formal document that communicates what your presentation will be about. There are numerous elements to a proposal that you’ll need to consider as you write it. The first section will be about yourself: what makes you interested or qualified to talk about the topic of choice? Again, there are no formal credentials that make you eligible to present. The introduction is used to promote your lecture and for the moderator (the person who introduces you before you start your presentation) to introduce you. It should be only 50 to 100 words. Remember, it will likely be read out loud, so it has to be something you are comfortable sharing.
The next section of the proposal is about your topic. You should consider how long you want to talk (25–30 minutes = 0.5 CE credits), what level you anticipate speaking at (basic, intermediate, or advanced), and the category it will fall under (e.g., hematology, management, general, etc.).
Following this, you will need to create a title. Titles are more important than you may think. An interesting and more descriptive title will draw in more audience members. For example: “Impostor Syndrome” versus “Why you may be your own worst enemy,” OR “Hematology case studies” versus “Case studies of unusual hematological pathologies.” A catchy—but not kitschy—title will bring positive attention to your presentation. A good title can draw significant crowds, while a vague title can deter people from attending.
The next section of the proposal is the presentation description. This is a three- to four-sentence summary of what you plan to talk about. It is used in the program to encourage people to attend your session. A title can draw people in, but the description will help land those who have numerous options for talks. Put time and consideration into drafting a refined description of your topic. You should avoid using acronyms or jargon in your description. Never assume your audience knows what you are talking about. Potential listeners may be deterred from attending if they do not understand the description.
The last piece of the proposal covers the CE learning objectives. Learning objectives are used to explain the educational value of the talk and should demonstrate what the listener will have learned by the end. It is important that these are formatted correctly. Bloom’s taxonomy for learning objectives is a great place to start when writing these.
Now that you have your idea formulated and put into words in the form of a proposal, you’re ready to start researching and crafting the presentation. The next article in this series will explore the intricacies of researching and slideshow preparations.
Ali Nussbaum is an LIS Technical Specialist at HealthPartners in Minneapolis, Minnesota.