How do I build my professional network?
From Anita Borg Institute Wiki
Contents |
Blog Entries
Charna's Blog: Speaker Introductions and Discussion
Mona on GHC Bloggers: CRA-W Grad Track - How to build my professional network
Notes
Speakers
Mary Czerwinski Microsoft Research
Soha Hassoun Tufts University
Interactive exercises to build your skills
Introduce yourselves in the good way to people 4 people, (north, south, east, west). Make a personal connection!!!
Practice your elevator speech.
Kinds of networks
Academic - advisors, classmates, labmates, profesors, researchers, professional local societies. Industry - current prior managers co workers directors other assets of the company recruiters members of professional societies Social - You want to use your social network to expand your professional network. This really does happens.
Who should you network with?
EVERYONE The image that you portray to the outside world is very important.
Why?
Makes you known Makes your work known Good letters of recommendation Invitations to give talks and to interview Invitations to be on program committees New ideas or different slants on old ideas Form new collaborations Can for new and lasting friendships
IF your work in known you work is more cited! Letters of rec from outside your advisor is very very important! Allows you to see new twists on old ideas, you could run into potential collaborators. Synergy.
Bottom Line Networking will make you more effective and more productive.
It is not a substitution for quality work!!!!! DO NOT use people. Do not use abuse and move on. It will come back and bite you.
Elevator Pitch
Practice your elevator pitch. Short and sweet and will draw the persons attention 1 to 2 sentences. Real pithy Brush your teeth in the mirror and practice it.
How?
Good and bad exist. They do their homework, agenda, (powerpoint is too much), come with a lot of questions. When you ask special time of a senior position be respectful and honor their time and listen very carefully. It never hurts to hear feedback when you are a senior researcher so give it. This leads to powerful interactions.
She is an avid tennis player. outside of work is just as important than inside.
Talk about your research with everyone! Know when it's time to close the discussion even if its early. It is up to you to follow up, the good ones will send a follow up email, send a written response, send a book.
DONT burn bridges! He wasn't humble respectful and always took too much time... he will not come back.
Even if you hear feedback you dont want to hear you cannot take things personally. When you are with a colleague try not to get personal. Get analytical.
Keep your personal stuff seperate. No matter what is happening keep it seperate.
Don't gossip.
Be someone that shines.
Be ambitious. Look after yourself. Don't let an opportunity pass by because you are shy.
Questions and Answers
How do you know you are burning a bridge? It will be obvious .
Are their times where you see bad process and it is communicated. Then the upper management doesn't listen and you leave. When you see things are wrong and you don't get out you are hurting yourself.
What happens if they don't respond when you email? They are probably not ignoring you. You shouldn't take it personally.
How do you keep following up? Email before a conference and see if they will be there. Don't hesitate to email and reach out. Very important to nurture the relationships.
How do you know the limits of your networks.
How do you take baby steps to stop being shy? Take a risk put yourself out there.
