Expanding Your Network is Easier Than You Think

As a scientific trainee at the NIH, it is easy to feel like your professional world is limited to your lab bench. The word 'networking' may also have you envisioning bubbly extroverts handing out business cards at crowded meetings and not something that feels comfortable or easy to do.

However, these are only common misconceptions. In reality, networking is simply the process of searching for new connections and building your web of professional relationships. Luckily, that is something we can all do.

Your existing professional relationships are a powerful place to start. Likely, you already have connections to:

• Your PI and Collaborators
  Your mentors have spent decades cultivating their network of professional relationships. Do not hesitate to ask them to introduce you to someone you are curious about or would like to meet. A warm introduction from your PI dramatically increases the chances your new connection will respond positively.
• Your Peers and Fellow Trainees
  Do you know a postdoc down the hall who is applying to professorships or have a lab mate who recently transitioned to industry? Your peers in the trenches with you are often the most willing to connect and share candid advice.
• Your NIH Communities
  What campus organizations are you involved in? The Graduate Student Council (GSC), the Fellows Committee (FelCom), OITE socials events, or activities through your institute's training office can all connect you to other trainees. Show up, get involved, and new relationships will naturally follow.

Once you have mapped your immediate circle, you can expand your search to:

• Alumni Networks
  Most universities and graduate programs maintain searchable directories of alumni. You can search these for fellow alumni who have connections to NIH. Most will remember what it felt like to be in your position and will be genuinely excited to connect.
• The NIH Enterprise Directory (NED)
  You can leverage the NIH Enterprise Directory to find the contact information of professionals you want to connect with. Exploring NIH IC websites is also a great way to find scientists with backgrounds or careers that interest you.
• LinkedIn
  You can use LinkedIn to search for previous NIH trainees you can connect with who have transitioned into careers that interest you, such as science policy, industry research, science writing, consulting, and biotech. When you reach out, keep your message brief, specific, and genuine.
• Scientific Conferences and Seminars
  These meetings, even virtual ones, are built for networking. Attend a talk, ask a thoughtful question, and follow up with the speaker or a fellow attendee afterward. Even a brief exchange can be the start of a meaningful professional relationship.

When you want to connect with someone new, informational interviews are your best tool. Once you have found professionals with roles you find intriguing, send a polite but brief message asking for 15-20 minutes of their time to discuss their career journey. Most people will be flattered and happy to share their experiences with an NIH trainee.

Your ability to network is a muscle that gets stronger with use. Start small. Aim to have one coffee chat or send one outreach email this month.

Remember, a handful of genuine connections is all you need to have a productive network. If you make an effort to build new connections regularly, you will soon find that your professional network growing strong.