networking for dummies (and scientists)

If you're anything like me, you've been told your whole life that it's crucial that you "network". No one really knows what this means, but it is apparently critical to future job getting. Today's post is about what I think about networking for scientists.

The basic idea is that, if people know you, like you, and respect your abilities, they will want to work with you. So, when they have job openings, they may remember you and call on you.

Case in point, I was recently sailing with an old friend who works for (insert local tech firm's name here), and they are looking for staff. He mentioned that he might be able to set something up if I am interested. Now, I'm staying in grad school 'till I'm done this PhD thing, but clearly having potential job opportunities is great, and is (in some sense) the "goal" of what people mean when they say "networking".

So, how does this good thing (possible job offering) arise, and how do you get there?

The canonical advice is "meet people who can do things for you, and make them remember you". That's why science conferences (and other places, I'm sure) are full of eager young go-getters foisting their business cards on anyone who will take one. I posit that this is an ineffective strategy, because those interactions lack meaning.

My advice is instead to do fun things, and to make friends who have similar hobbies (ideally who work in a diverse set of businesses). That way, you make meaningful connections with people, based on something real (as opposed to the fake friendliness that arises when you want something from them). Forget about networking! Go have fun!

Much later, when you are looking for work, feel free to call up people you know, especially those with connections in the industry in which you want to work.

Now, about conferences: obviously, science conferences are great places to meet smart people who share your interests (and may be able to offer you jobs). Clearly, they have value in this whole "networking" world. Thus, you should indeed go to conferences eager to share your work with others, and to learn what they are working on.

But, instead of trying to play every angle to give out your business card, I suggest you focus instead on learning, having fun, and meeting people for the sake of making friends. Once you have friends, the networking game is basically solved.

Hopefully, a lot of this is obvious. But, I have been given a lot of advice in the past that is quite contrary to what I have written here, so I think it's worth putting on (virtual) paper.

Best of luck!