The benefits I have reaped from my encounters and experiences could not have been found elsewhere. As a newcomer in Boston at CHI '94, I was somewhat apprehensive. Not only was this my first time serving as an SV, it was also my first time as a conference attendee. I really wasn't very sure how the week would progress, what would be expected of me as a volunteer, and how I could best benefit from the conference. One of the striking features of being an SV is how easy it is to mingle with the other SVs.
Activities are all-inclusive.
You can join any group of students in the lounge and become part of the discussion or activity immediately. At one of the conference events, I met and befriended an SV who would prove to be a valuable contact a year and a half later while carrying out a literature search. This acquaintance and his advisor had done research in an area that interested me. Having met this SV at the conference gave me the perfect introductory opening to contact his professor. The response was most encouraging.