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It is never too early to start networking.
Posted On: March 16, 2017
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By Krithika Muthukumaran, ORT Times Writer and UHN Trainee
Throughout the trainee period we hear about the importance of networking and about how it gives you an edge. However, there are chances of developing tunnel vision and focusing only on your thesis and research. Yes, it is important to use time efficiently and complete your tasks, but it is also necessary to start networking early on in your research career. Having a network in place early on will help you identify opportunities in advance, as networking while you’re actively looking for a job is often too late. There are a number of steps you could take during your trainee period in order to make this transition easier.
Attending symposiums and conferences is a great opportunity to professionally interact with peers in your field. Many graduate students use business cards while networking at conferences and the contact your make could lead to collaborations, publications and career advice. Try to stand out for good reasons and create curiosity and interest so they want to know more about you. This could be accomplished in many ways, such as the way you dress and present yourself with confidence, the questions you ask, and how you explain your research.
With shrinking research funding and fewer academic openings, it is becoming essential for early career researchers to think about different career paths as well. The good news is that as trainees in science, you are not only equipped to be successful in science and its allied careers, but in any career that involves rational decision making. It would be helpful to find out where others in your field or past graduates from your lab have ended up and see how it aligns with what you aspire to be. If you are unsure of the job opportunities available in industry, cheekyscientist.com has a free e-book on Top 20 Industry Positions for PhDs. You could also subscribe to their weekly newsletters on alternate career strategies and how to transition from an academic setting to industry. The Life Sciences Career Development Centre at the University of Toronto also has a number of networking events and interesting blogs about alternate career options that you could subscribe to as well. Keep an eye out for their events and attend them just out of curiosity. Going to such events throughout your trainee period could teach you how to utilize and appreciate the skills you gain as a trainee and help shape your outlook and long-term goals.
Social media presence matters and LinkedIn is the most popular networking site that aids in building a strong network with professionals in your field of interest. In order to build this network, your profile should have relevant key words relating to your field. Your profile and the key words should give an idea of who you are both professionally and personally and contain information about your technical and transferrable skills with evidence demonstrated by publications, up to three professional references, awards, and extracurricular activities.
The more networking you do, the more confident you become with approaching professionals and networking with ease. Stop giving excuses, step out of your comfort zone, assess your skills, interests and goals, and learn about potential career opportunities while you are a trainee.
Throughout the trainee period we hear about the importance of networking and about how it gives you an edge. However, there are chances of developing tunnel vision and focusing only on your thesis and research. Yes, it is important to use time efficiently and complete your tasks, but it is also necessary to start networking early on in your research career. Having a network in place early on will help you identify opportunities in advance, as networking while you’re actively looking for a job is often too late. There are a number of steps you could take during your trainee period in order to make this transition easier.
Attending symposiums and conferences is a great opportunity to professionally interact with peers in your field. Many graduate students use business cards while networking at conferences and the contact your make could lead to collaborations, publications and career advice. Try to stand out for good reasons and create curiosity and interest so they want to know more about you. This could be accomplished in many ways, such as the way you dress and present yourself with confidence, the questions you ask, and how you explain your research.
With shrinking research funding and fewer academic openings, it is becoming essential for early career researchers to think about different career paths as well. The good news is that as trainees in science, you are not only equipped to be successful in science and its allied careers, but in any career that involves rational decision making. It would be helpful to find out where others in your field or past graduates from your lab have ended up and see how it aligns with what you aspire to be. If you are unsure of the job opportunities available in industry, cheekyscientist.com has a free e-book on Top 20 Industry Positions for PhDs. You could also subscribe to their weekly newsletters on alternate career strategies and how to transition from an academic setting to industry. The Life Sciences Career Development Centre at the University of Toronto also has a number of networking events and interesting blogs about alternate career options that you could subscribe to as well. Keep an eye out for their events and attend them just out of curiosity. Going to such events throughout your trainee period could teach you how to utilize and appreciate the skills you gain as a trainee and help shape your outlook and long-term goals.
Social media presence matters and LinkedIn is the most popular networking site that aids in building a strong network with professionals in your field of interest. In order to build this network, your profile should have relevant key words relating to your field. Your profile and the key words should give an idea of who you are both professionally and personally and contain information about your technical and transferrable skills with evidence demonstrated by publications, up to three professional references, awards, and extracurricular activities.
The more networking you do, the more confident you become with approaching professionals and networking with ease. Stop giving excuses, step out of your comfort zone, assess your skills, interests and goals, and learn about potential career opportunities while you are a trainee.